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He snatched his freed hand back with a curse, shaking off droplets of blood "I don’t ht you understood" She took up the last spear, set her foot, and he channeled, weaving Air to hold her as she was She only stared at hi! So I kept the Maidens out of the battle with Couladin Not everyone fought that day And you never said a word"

Sulin’s eyes widened in incredulity "You kept us from the dance of spears? We kept you froirl need to the spear, ready to rush out and kill Couladin with never a thought for the spear you ht take froht to risk yourself needlessly" Her voice flattened "Now you go to fight the Forsaken The secret is well kept, but I have heard enough from those who lead the other societies"

"And you want to keep ht as well?" he said quietly

"Do not be a fool, Rand al’Thor Any could have danced the spears with Couladin; for you to risk it was the thinking of a child None a us can face the Shadowsouled, save you"

"Then why?" He stopped; he already knew the answer After that bloodsoaked day against Couladin, he had convinced himself they would not o with you have been chosen" The words came like hurled stones "Men from every society Men There are no Maidens, Rand al’Thor Far Dareis Mai carries your honor, and you take ours away"

He drew a deep breath, fu for words "I do not like to see a woman die I hate it, Sulin It curdleson it" The pages of Moiraine’s letter rustled in his hand Dead because he could not kill Lanfear Not always just his own life "Sulin, I would rather go against Rahvin alone than see one of you die"

"A foolish thing Everyone needs another to watch her back So it is Rahvin Even Roidan of the Thunder Walkers and Turol of the Stone Dogs held that back" She glanced at her upraised foot, held against the spear by the same flows that snared her arms "Release me, and ill talk"

After a moment’s hesitation, he unraveled the weave He was tensed to seize her again if need be, but she only crossed her legs and sat bouncing the spear on her palet you were raised out of our blood, Rand al’Thor Listen to me I am what I am This is what I am" She hefted the spear

"Sulin --"

"Listen, Rand al’Thor I am the spear When a lover came between me and the spear, I chose the spear Some chose the other way Soh, that they want a husband, a child I have never wanted anything else No chief would hesitate to send me wherever the dance is hottest If I died there, ernail more than when our firstbrother fell A treekiller who stabbed me to the heart in my sleep would do me more honor than you do Do