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As Bair was getting to her feet, Melaine spoke, and strangely for her, she was hesitant "I need I must ask your help, Bair And you, Amys" The older woman settled back, and both she and Amys looked at Melaine expectantly "I would ask you to approach Dorindha for me" The last words came out in a rush Amys smiled widely, and Bair cackled aloud Aviendha seeas lost

Then Bair laughed "You always said you did not need a husband and did not want one I have buried three, and would not ht is cold"

"A woh, but belied by the deep flush in her cheeks "I cannot stay away from Bael, and I cannot kill him If Dorindha will accept me as her sisterwife, I will make my bridal wreath to lay at Bael’s feet"

"What if he steps on it instead of picking it up?" Bair wanted to know Awene did not think there was er of that, not the way Aiel customs ran If Dorindha decided she wanted Melaine for sisterwife, Bael would not have er shocked her, precisely, that a man could have tives Not exactly Different lands mean different customs, she re herself to ask, but for all she knew, there e people

"I ask you to act as my firstsisters in this I think that Dorindha likes h"

As soon as Melaine spoke those words, the other wohed, but they hugged her and told her how happy they were for her, and hoell she would do with Bael Aranted The three of the like girls Not before telling Egwene and Aviendha to straighten the tent, though

"Egwene, could a wo a stick to push the cover off the sished she had left that duty till last; the heat began to dissipate i the cups and the honey jar The staera went onto the tray, too "I don’t think so Maybe if it was a close friend," she added hurriedly; there was no point in seerate Aiel ways

Aviendha only grunted and began pushing up the side flaps

Teeth chattering as loudly as the rattle of teacups and bronze blades on the tray, Egwene scurried outside The Wise Ones were dressing unhurriedly, as though this were a bal chaht, took the tray fro for her cloak and shoes They were nowhere as taken to your tent," Bair said, tying the laces of her blouse "You will not need the in place, she flapped her arms in a futile effort for warmth; at least they did not tell her to stop Abruptly she realized the snowyrobed figure bearing the tray aas too tall for even an Aiel wolared at the Wise Ones, who see up and down To the Aiel woht not matter that a ai’shain, but it did to her!

In aabout, arments She showed no more effect of the cold than the Wise Ones

"Now," Bair said, settling her shawl on her shoulders "You, Aviendha, are not only stubborn as a man, you cannot rewene, are just as stubborn, and you still think you can linger in your tent when you are su fifty times around the camp will temper your stubbornness, clear your minds, and remind you of how to answer a summons or do a chore Off with you"

Without a word, Aviendha ie of the cawene hesitated only aThe Aiel woht air froze her, and the cracked stony clay underfoot was just as cold, and tried to catch her toes besides Aviendha ran with effortless ease

As they reached the last tent and turned southward, Aviendha said, "Do you knohy I study so hard?" Neither the cold nor running hadso hard she could barely speak "No Why?"

"Because Bair and the others always point to you, and tellexplained twice They say I ought to be wene found herself sharing a giggle as they ran "That is part of the reason The things I a to do" Aviendha shook her head, wonderht "And the Power itself I have never felt like that So alive I can shtest stir in the air"

"It is dangerous to hold on too long or toodid seeain a shudder ran through her "I’ve told you that, and I know the Wise Ones have, too"

Aviendha merely sniffed "Do you think I would stab my own foot with a spear?"

For a tiwene said finally The cold had nothing to do with her difficulty getting the words out; in fact, she was beginning to sweat again "I mean Isendre?" She could not make herself say it clearer than thatAt last Aviendha said slowly, "I do not think that he did" She sounded angry "But ould she ignore switchings if he has shown no interest in her? She is a milkhearted wetlander aits for h he tried to hide it He enjoyed looking at her"

Egondered if her friend ever thought of her as a milkhearted wetlander Probably not, or they would not be friends But Aviendha had never learned to worry if what she said ht hurt sowene could even think of being hurt

"The way the Maidens wene admitted reluctantly, "any man would look" Reminded that she herself was in the open without any clothes, she stuht was empty as far as she could make out Even the Wise Ones were already back in their tents War, but the beads seemed to want to freeze