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He heard Faile corass She was good at being quiet--not nearly as good as Elyas or one of the Aiel, but better than one ht think of her But he could smell her scent, soap with lavender She used that particular soap only on days she deemed special

She stepped atop the hillside, beautiful, i silk blouse of a lighter shade Where had she gotten the clothing? He hadn’t seen her in this fine outfit before

"My husband," she said, stepping up to him He could faintly hear others near the foot of the hill--probably Cha Faile She’d left them behind "You look concerned"

"It’s my fault that Gill and the others were captured, Faile," he said "My failures continue to mount It’s a wonder anyone followsa hand on his ars"

"Why?"

"Because I’ve never known you to be a liar," she said with a softly chiding tone

He looked at her It was growing dark, though he could stilltheht this?" she asked "You are a good leader, Perrin"

"I wouldn’t have given myself up for them," he said

She frowned "What does that have to--"

"Back in the Two Rivers," Perrin said, turning away froain, "I was ready to do it When the Whitecloaks had Mat’s faiven myself up This ti his price, I kneouldn’t givea better leader"

"How can you say that? I’et you back, the things I would have done…" He fingered the ha Bull, it matters not He’d throay the axe, but could he blame it for his brutality? It was only a tool He could use the has

"It’s not callous," Faile said, "or selfish You’re a lord now, and you can’t let it be known that capturing your subjects will underase would abdicate to tyrants who kidnapped her subjects? No leader could rule that way Your inability to stop evil men does not make you evil yourself"

"I don’t want this mantle, Faile I never have"

"I know"

"Sometimes I wish I’d never left the Two Rivers I wish I’d let Rand run off to his destiny, leaving regular folk behind to live their lives"

He caught a scent of annoyance from her