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Soon she had a fire burning, the orange light reflecting off the rock that towered over her She’d slain a small shellback earlier, and she unwrapped it, skinned it, then set it up on a spit Not the most delicate ofthe fire crackle, slad she hadn’t Traveled directly to Rhuidean, instead taking the tih that time was--to run in the Three-fold Land It helped her see what she had been, and what she had becoone She had eht her honor back She had purpose again As a Wise One, she could help lead her people through their h, her people would need to return to the Three-fold Land Each day in the wetlands made therown soft there How could one not grow soft in that place? It would have to be abandoned Soon

She s her eyes for a ue melt away Her future seeh the crystal columns, then return and claiht at the Last Battle She would help preserve the re theed

A sound came from outside her ca the Source A piece of her was pleased that she now instinctively looked to the One Power, rather than spears that were not there She wove a globe of light

A woarb Not cadin’sor, but nor: a dark skirt and a tan blouse and shawl, a kerchief on her graying hair She was ed, and she carried no weapons She was still

Aviendha glanced to the sides Was this an a? Why hadn’t Aviendha heard her approach?

"Greetings, Wise One," the woht I share water with you? I a far, and saw your fire" The woman had furrowed skin, and she could not channel--Aviendha could sense that easily

"I am not yet a Wise One," Aviendha said, wary "I currently take my second path into Rhuidean"

"Then you will soon find much honor," the woman said "I am Nakomi I promise that I mean you no harm, child"

Suddenly, Aviendha felt foolish The woman had approached without weapons drawn Aviendha had been distracted by her thoughts; that hy she hadn’t heard Nakomi approach "Of course, please"

"Thank you," Nako down her pack beside the sue, then drew some small branches out of her pack to build up the flaht I have soot out a waterskin She could hardly spare a drop--she was still several days froive offense not to respond to the request after offering to share shade

Nakomi took the waterskin and filled her teapot, which she then set beside the fire to warh her pack, "to cross the path of one on her way to Rhuidean Tell ," Aviendha said "Though primarily because of my own stubbornness"

"Ah," Nakomi said "You have the air of a warrior about you, child Tellthose est? The ones who joined the one named the Car’a’carn?"

"He is the Car’a’carn," Aviendha said

"I did not say that he was not," Nakoot out some tea leaves and herbs

No She hadn’t said so Aviendha turned her shellback, and her stomach rumbled She’d need to share her meal with Nakomi as well