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Abruptly she realized that he had been speaking as quietly as they, and carefully, too He had not ith you?" he went on

"No," she replied, and he sighed deeply

"I had hoped Gaas nearly unhinged orry when she disappeared He cares for her, too Will you tell me where she is?"

Nynaeve took note of that "too" The man had become a Whitecloak, yet he "cared for" a woe they were hardly human someti from her cheeks "Is Gawyn here, too? I will not believe he has become a --" She had the wit to lower her voice further, but she still said, "A Whitecloak!"

"He remains in the north, Elayne" Nynaeve supposed that he one from there Surely he could not support Elaida "You cannot knohat has happened there, Elayne," he continued "All the corruption and vileness in that place bubbled to the top, as it had to The woman who sent you away has been deposed" He looked around and dropped his voice to a h to overhear "Stilled and executed" Taking a deep breath, he usted sound "It was never a place for you Or for Egwene I have not been long with the Children, but, I aive me leave to escort my sister howene is, and I will see that she is brought to Caemlyn, too You will both be safe there"

Nynaeve’s face felt numb Stilled And executed Not an accidental death, or illness That she had considered the possibility did notRand had to be the reason If there had ever been any sone Elayne showed no expression at all, her eyes staring at the distance

"I see my news shocks you," he said in a low voice "I do not kno deeply that woman meshed you in her plot, but you are free of her now Let me see you safely to Caemlyn No one need know you had any irls ent there to learn Either of you"

Nynaeve showed him her teeth, in what she hoped looked like a smile It was nice to be included, finally She could have s

"I will think on it," Elayne said slowly "What you say ive me time to think I irl was blathering

"I can give you a little time," he said, "but I do not have much if I am to ask leave We may be ordered --

Suddenly there was a squarefaced, blackhaired Whitecloak clapping Galad on the shoulder and grinning widely Older, he wore the sa Galad, you can’t keep all the pretty wohs when you walk by, and most of their mothers as well Introduce ht I knew them when they came downstairs, Trom But whatever charm you think I possess, it does not work on this lady She does not like me, and I think she will not like any friend of mine If you practice the sith me this afternoon, perhaps you can