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They moved on out of earshot, and he bent toward the tent flap He still could not hear what they were saying, not unless he stuck his ear to the crack, and he was not about to do that Surely Aviendha had covered herself with Egwene in there Then again, the way Egwene had taken to Aiel ways, it was just as likely she had peeled out of her clothes instead

The soft sound of slippers announced Moiraine and Lan, and Rand straightened Though he could hear both of the, the Warder’s steps stillabout her face, and she held a dark robe around her, the silk shining with the moon Lan was fully dressed, booted and arht Of course The cla down in the hills below

"I am surprised you were not here sooner, Moiraine" His voice sounded cold, but better his voice than hiht’s icy chill re far off He are of it, aware of each hair on his ar with cold beneath his shirtsleeves, but it did not touch hi for me as soon as you sense trouble"

"I have never explained all that I do or do not do" Her voice was as coolly ht Rand was certain that she was blushing Lan looked troubled, though with him it was difficult to tell "I cannot hold your hand forever Eventually, you ht, didn’t I?" Eh he had done everything himself -- and he added, "Aviendha all but took that one offlow

"As well she was here, then," Moiraine said calmly "You did not need me"

She had not been afraid, of that he was sure He had seen her rush into thethe Power as skillfully as Lan did his sword, seen it too often to believe fear in her So why had she not cohkar? She could have, and Lan as well; that was one of the gifts a Warder received from the bond between him and an Aes Sedai He could make her tell, catch her between her oath to hiht out No, he could not Or would not He would not do that to so to help him

"At least noe knohat the attack beloas about," he said "Tothere while the Draghkar slipped in on me They tried that at Cold Rocks Hold, and it did not work there either" Only, maybe it almost had, this time If that had been the intent "You would think they would try so different" Couladin ahead of him; the Forsaken everywhere, it seemed Why could he not face one ene the Forsaken simple," Moiraine said "That could easily be fatal" She shifted her robe as though wishing it were thicker "The hour is late If you have no further need of me?"

Aiel began to drift back as she and the Warder left Soai’shain to drag it away, butto their tents They sees of him now

When Adelin and the Maidens appeared, their softbooted feet dragged They stared at the Draghkar being hauled away by whiterobedRand

"There was nothing here," Adelin said slowly "The attack was all below, Darkfriends and Trollocs"

"Shouting ’Sammael and the Golden Bees,’ I heard," another added With her head wrapped in a shoufa, Rand could not ; so a deep breath, Adelin held out one of her spears, horizontally in front of him, rocksteady The others did the same, one spear each "We -- I -- failed," Adelin said "We should have been here when the Draghkar came Instead we ran like children to dance the spears"