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Going to Shara by e'Npau Shauv e’Npau
stared
out
the
window
at
the
big
fluffy
flakes
of
snow.
Light
but
this
had
been
a
long
winter!
Being
stuck
in
the
Tower
the
whole
winter
had
made
her
restless.
And
being
restless
was
not
something
she
liked
to
be.
She
turned
from
the
window
and
began
pacing
around
her
room
again.
She
needed
something
to
do.
Anything.
She
turned
back
to
the
window
and
glared
out
it.
The
flakes
were
coming
down
hard
and
fast...almost
like
rain.
The
wind
was
whipping
them
sideways
and
then
letting
them
fall
straight,
and
then
whipping
them
the
other
way.
This
storm
was
not
going
to
allow
for
any
adventuring,
inside
or
outside
the
Tower
walls.
Everyone
would
be
huddled
up
in
their
rooms
or
in
Taverns
all
over
Tar
Valon.
e’Npau
wished
she
still
had
an
Accepted’s
face...sometimes
all
that
deference
to
Aes
Sedai
got
on
her
nerves,
and
it
never
allowed
her
to
go
incognito
anymore.
Her
face
wasn’t
completely
ageless...she
was
still
a
young
Aes
Sedai...only
2
years...but
still,
it
was
obvious
to
native
Tar
Valonites
what
she
was.
She
moved
back
to
her
bed
and
sat
down
on
it,
grabbing
a
blanket
and
wrapping
it
around
her.
She
wasn’t
cold...she
just
really
needed
to
hold
something.
She
glanced
at
the
fireplace
across
the
room
and
embraced
the
One
Power,
channeling
Fire
into
it,
and
lighting
it
into
a
merry
blaze.
She
sighed
and
dropped
the
blanket.
A
knock
sounded
at
her
door,
and
she
glanced
over
at
it.
She
stood
and
smoothed
her
dress,
then
walked
over
and
opened
the
door.
She
was
met
by
a
frustrated
looking
Odysseus.
“Hello,
my
Heart,”
she
said
warmly,
inviting
him
in.
He
stalked
in,
not
really
looking
around
as
he
sat
in
a
chair
by
the
fire.
She
closed
the
door,
shaking
her
head.
She
sat
down
on
the
arm
of
the
chair
he
was
in
and
ran
a
hand
through
his
hair.
“You
look
as
if
you
are
about
to
go
insane.”
He
snorted
and
ran
his
hands
back
through
his
hair
and
then
looked
up
at
her,
smiling
wryly.
“Yeah.
Nothing
to
do.
No
fighting,
no
sparring,
and
the
guards
on
the
Gate
are
all
huddled
so
far
back
into
their
holes
they
won’t
come
out
and
open
them
up
so
I
can
go
to
a
tavern
in
town.”
He
smiled
and
pulled
her
onto
his
lap
and
kissed
her.
“So
I
came
here,
thinking
maybe
you
were
as
bored
as
I
was.”
She
laughed
and
wriggled
off
his
lap,
and
sat
down
in
the
chair
across
from
him.
“Yes,
I’m
bored.
I’m
out
of
my
mind
with
boredom!”
She
glared
at
the
fire
and
shot
a
small
weave
of
Fire
into
it,
blazing
it
higher
for
a
moment.
Odie
stared,
mesmerized,
at
it,
then
smiled
at
her.
“So...what
should
we
do
about
our
boredom?
Cards?
Dance?”
He
stood
and
offered
her
his
hand.
She
laughed
and
stood.
“A
dance
sounds
wonderful!”
Another
knock
came
at
the
door,
and
e’Npau
looked
at
Odysseus
and
sighed,
shaking
her
head
with
a
smile.
“It’s
Zhahn.”
She
opened
the
door.
Zhahn
came
in
and
bowed
slightly
to
her,
smiling.
“Hello,
e’Npau.
How
fare
you
this...beautiful...day?”
She
snorted
and
closed
the
door
behind
him.
“Wonderful...I
was
sunning
at
the
window
just
before
you
knocked.”
He
chuckled
and
Odie
and
he
greeted
each
other
warmly.
e’Npau
went
over
to
the
window
and
glared
out
at
the
snow.
Zhahn
walked
over
and
closed
the
drapes
to
the
harsh
winter
outside
and
smiled
down
at
her.
“Glaring
at
it
isn’t
going
to
make
it
go
away.”
e’Npau
turned
her
glare
to
him.
He
chuckled
and
led
her
to
the
fire.
“Glaring
at
me
isn’t
going
to
make
it
go
away
either.”
“Will
it
make
you
go
away?”
she
grumbled
as
she
allowed
him
to
lead
her.
He
shook
his
head.
“No,
I’m
afraid
not,
e’Npau
Sedai.”
She
sighed
and
sat
down
again.
Odie
smiled
at
them
both
and
pulled
a
dice
cup
from
his
pouch.
“Dice,
anyone?”
He
started
shaking
the
cup,
and
spilled
the
dice
on
the
floor.
The
game
began...
******************************************************************************
The
next
day
dawned
behind
dark
grey
clouds,
and
more
snow.
e’Npau’s
temper
was
barely
hidden
behind
her
Aes
Sedai
calm
as
she
lectured
her
class
of
novices
on
using
the
One
Power
in
battle.
Two
of
the
novices
ended
up
getting
sent
to
the
kitchens
for
scrubbing
duty
for
laughing
too
much
in
class...something
that
was
usually
allowed
in
the
normally
cheerful
Aes
Sedai’s
class.
Class
ended
early.
e’Npau
didn’t
feel
like
dealing
with
the
overly
eager
novices
trying
so
hard
to
do
their
best
and
earn
her
respect.
They
already
had
her
respect...and
she
didn’t
want
to
ruin
the
respect
they
had
for
her.
She
made
her
way
back
to
the
Green
Ajah
wing,
stopping
off
at
the
Library
to
get
a
book
on
the
way
up.
She
browsed
around
and
finally
found
a
manuscript
entitled
“Killing
Shadowspawn,
or
There’s
More
than
One
Way
to
Skin
A
Trolloc”
She
chuckled
a
bit
at
that,
then
went
up
to
her
room.
She
closed
the
door
and
pulled
a
chair
near
the
window
and
sat
down
to
read.
A
knock
on
the
door
made
her
look
up
with
a
glare.
“Light!”
she
muttered
as
she
marked
her
place.
“Does
everyone
have
to
come
here
when
they’re
bored?
Come
in!”
She
stood
as
the
door
opened,
and
the
Mistress
of
Novices
walked
in.
e’Npau
smiled
at
her.
“Cadrien!
How
are
you?”
The
Brown
sister
smiled
at
her
warmly
as
she
walked
in.
“Fine,
e’Npau.
How
is
your
novice
class
going?”
e’Npau
sighed.
“Well.
It’s
going
well.”
Cadrien
studied
her,
still
smiling.
“Well?
You
sent
two
of
your
best
students
to
the
kitchens
for
laughing
too
much,
after
you
tell
all
your
girls
that
laughing
is
quite
all
right
in
your
class.”
e’Npau
shook
her
head
and
looked
slightly
sheepish.
“I
know.
Normally
I
would
never
have
done
that,
but
they
were
very
hyper
today,
and
I
am
so
irritated
being
cooped
up
in
this
stone
prison
that
I’m
snapping
at
everyone!”
Cadrien
nodded,
understanding.
“I
see.
I
thought
as
much,
which
is
why
I
decided
to
lift
their
sentence
in
the
kitchens
slightly
and
told
Cook
to
send
them
away
in
an
hour.”
e’Npau
nodded.
“Thank
you.”
The
Green
Aes
Sedai
looked
at
Cadrien
closely.
“So
is
this
why
you
came
here?
To
ask
about
the
novices?”
Cadrien
started
and
smiled.
“Oh,
Light,
no.
I
digressed
completely.
I
was
asked
to
bring
you
this
message.”
She
pulled
a
small
scroll
from
her
belt
and
handed
it
to
e’Npau.
She
took
it
and
looked
at
it
curiously.
“Thank
you...who
is
it
from?”
Cadrien
shrugged
noncommittally.
“Open
it,
and
I’m
sure
that
you
will
find
out.”
She
walked
to
the
door
and
opened
it,
then
looked
back
at
e’Npau.
“I’ll
see
you
later,
e’Npau.”
She
smiled
and
closed
the
door.
e’Npau
stared
after
her.
The
Brown
sister
was
usually
not
that
odd,
but
she
supposed
the
weather
had
everyone
acting
oddly
from
being
cooped
up
too
long
in
the
Tower.
She
sat
by
the
fire
and
rolled
the
scroll
open.
“e’Npau
Shuav
Sedai,
You
are
requested
to
report
to
the
Amyrlin’s
office
upon
finishing
this
missive.
Tell
no
one
of
your
destination.”
It
was
signed
by
Qirien
herself.
e’Npau
quickly
rolled
the
scroll
back
up
and
tucked
it
into
her
belt,
then
left
her
room,
walking
quickly
to
the
Amyrlin’s
office.
The
Keeper
was
not
in
sight
as
e’Npau
knocked
lightly
on
the
door
to
Qirien’s
office.
A
voice
from
within
bade
her
enter,
and
she
did
so,
quickly.
Qirien
stood
behind
her
paper-covered
desk.
e’Npau
curtsied
deeply.
“Mother...”
she
murmured
deferentially.
“I
came
as
soon
as
I
finished
reading.”
Qirien
motioned
to
a
chair
in
front
of
her
desk,
and
e’Npau
rose
from
her
curtsy
and
sat,
arranging
her
skirts
around
her.
Qirien
sat
and
placed
her
hands
together,
fingers
tapping
lightly
together.
“I
hear
you
are
feeling
trapped
and
bored
in
here,
e’Npau.”
e’Npau
looked
at
her
curiously
but
nodded.
“Yes
Mother,
the
weather
has
most
of
the
Tower
feeling
that
way.”
Qirien
nodded
and
glanced
out
the
window
at
the
bleak
weather,
sighing.
“Yes...I
had
noticed
that.”
She
glanced
at
the
papers
on
her
desk,
then
back
at
e’Npau.
e’Npau
folded
her
slim
hands
neatly
on
her
lap
and
waited,
maintaining
the
composure
on
her
face
and
not
letting
her
curiosity
get
the
best
of
her.
Qirien
smiled,
guessing
her
thoughts.
“I
won’t
keep
you
in
the
dark.
I
need
you
for
a
mission.”
She
began
rifling
through
papers
as
she
spoke.
“I
have
reports
from
Sisters
and
the
Eyes
and
Ears
network
for
every
country
in
the
known
world.
Every
land,
every
country,
every
large
city,
has
someone
in
it
who
reports
directly
to
me.”
She
found
the
paper
she
was
looking
for
and
scanned
it
quickly.
“Every
country
but
Shara.”
She
looked
at
e’Npau
to
gauge
her
reaction.
e’Npau’s
green
eyes
widened.
“Shara...”
she
said.
Qirien
watched
her
closely.
e’Npau
tightened
her
hands
together
and
looked
up
at
the
Amyrlin,
staring
her
in
the
eye.
She
felt
her
own
green
eyes
twinkle
with
excitement
as
she
stared
at
the
taller
woman.
“What
do
you
want
me
to
do
there?”
she
asked,
barely
masking
the
eager
tone
of
her
voice.
To
be
able
to
go
there...a
land
never
before
explored
by
an
Aes
Sedai...well,
she
amended...never
before
explored
by
an
Aes
Sedai
that
told
anyone
she
was
going,
or
who
ever
managed
to
leave
once
she
got
there.
Qirien
nodded,
pleased
by
the
reaction.
“I
have
a
report
here.
A
document.
That
was
found
recently.
It
talks
of
male
and
female
Channelers
over
there,
called
the
Ayyad.
They
are
kept
in
separate
villages
from
the
non-channelers
of
Shara.”
She
pushed
the
paper
she
had
been
reading
to
e’Npau.
e’Npau
accepted
it
and
scanned
quickly
over
it,
learning
that
the
female
channelers
and
male
channelers
only
were
allowed
to
mate
with
each
other,
and
that
the
females
raised
their
daughters
while
the
males
were
used
as
basic
breeding
stock.
She
snorted
in
disgust
and
read
on.
Qirien
spoke
up.
“Read
the
last
paragraph.”
e’Npau
scanned
down
to
the
last
paragraph
and
stopped
cold,
looking
up
in
shock.
Qirien
nodded.
“Read
it
out
loud.”
e’Npau
shook
her
head
to
clear
it,
all
Aes
Sedai
composure
gone.
“...instead
of
the
Will
of
the
Pattern
being
responsible
for
the
monarch’s
deaths
every
seven
years,
they
are
actually
killed
by
the
Ayyad.
Indeed,
unbeknownst
to
the
people,
the
Ayyad
are
the
real
power
in
Shara.
The
ruler
is
surrounded
with
Ayyad
women
as
servants.
The
only
way
to
approach
Sh’boan
or
Sh’botay,
especially
for
a
favor
or
ruling,
is
through
these
women,
and
the
reply
is
usually
delivered
by
these
same
women.
Actual
speech
with
the
Sh’boan
or
Sh’botay
is
reckoned
a
very
great
honor,
rarely
bestowed.
Some
rulers
have
failed
to
live
the
full
measure
of
their
seven
years-a
failure
taken
as
a
sign
of
the
Creator’s
displeasure,
causing
penances
served
across
the
land
by
high
and
low
alike.
The
writer
states
that
it
is
more
likely
that
these
rulers
discovered
that,
despite
their
great
power,
the
real
control
of
the
land
was
in
the
hands
of
the
Ayyad
through
the
apparent
‘servant
women’
surrounding
the
ruler.”
Her
voice
wavered
at
that
last,
and
she
placed
the
paper
back
on
the
Amyrlin’s
desk.
She
looked
up,
feeling
a
little
shaky.
Qirien
took
the
paper
and
placed
it,
rolled
up,
in
a
long
box
on
her
desk
and
replaced
the
ward
on
it.
She
looked
up
at
e’Npau.
“As
you
can
see,
there
could
be
a
problem
with
that.
The
world
is
in
great
turmoil
right
now.
The
Dragon
has
been
reborn
and
is
sweeping
across
the
land.
That
alone
is
enough
to
set
the
Pattern
in
a
spin.
And
the
Creator
only
knows
what
that
will
mean
in
Shara,
and
that
bothers
me.
So
many
possibilities...and
only
one
true
one.
Whatever
it
may
be.”
e’Npau
bit
her
lip,
thinking.
“But
they
keep
so
much
to
themselves,
from
what
I
have
ever
read
of
them.
They
don’t
want
anything
to
do
with
this
side
of
the
world.”
Qirien
nodded.
“True,
but
what
would
any
country
do
if
they
were
powerful
and
learned
that
the
other
side
of
the
world
was
divided,
chaotic,
and
all
governmental
structures
were
disintegrating
rapidly?”
She
shook
her
head
at
the
thought.
e’Npau
shuddered
involuntarily.
“I’d
rather
not
think
of
that.”
Qirien
looked
at
her
sharply.
“You
need
to
think
of
it.
I
need
you
to
go
there
and
try
to
stay
incognito.
I
don’t
care
how
you
get
into
the
country.
What
your
biggest
problem
is
going
to
be
is
masking
the
ability
to
channel.
If
that
is
found
out,
we
have
no
way
of
ever
rescuing
you.
You
will
not
be
able
to
take
your
Warders
with
you.
You
are
going
to
be
there
alone.”
Qirien
continued
with
her
list
of
what
was
expected,
what
was
needed,
and
what
could
happen.
e’Npau
felt
the
sharp
thrill
of
a
dangerous
challenge
looming
before
her
as
she
listened
closely
to
Qirien’s
instructions
and
warnings,
nodding
and
agreeing
sometimes,
asking
more
questions
about
her
mission
othertimes.
When
e’Npau
walked
out
of
Qirien’s
office,
she
felt
drained.
She
walked
into
the
foyer
and
almost
ran
into
a
worried
Zhahn
pacing
a
path
into
the
woven
rug.
She
glanced
up,
startled,
and
then
walked
around
him
and
headed
for
the
stairs.
He
followed
almost
on
her
heels
as
they
walked
back
to
her
room.
She
locked
the
door
behind
her
and
embraced
the
True
Source.
Zhahn
sat
down
in
a
chair
and
watched
her,
concern
etched
on
his
face.
She
wove
a
ward
against
eavesdropping,
and
another
against
anyone
entering
the
room.
She
turned
to
him.
“Where’s
Odysseus?”
she
asked.
Zhahn
shrugged,
his
eyes
locked
on
hers.
“He
finally
got
a
guard
to
come
out
of
hiding
long
enough
to
open
the
gate,
and
he’s
in
town
somewhere.
Do
you
want
him
here?”
e’Npau
looked
out
the
window,
drumming
her
fingers
on
the
sill,
then
nodded.
“Yes.
Wait
here.”
She
unlocked
the
door
and
stepped
into
the
hall.
An
Accepted
was
just
walking
down
the
stairs
from
the
floor
above
and
entering
the
Green
Ajah
wing.
e’Npau
motioned
for
the
girl
to
come
over.
The
Accepted
rushed
over
immediately
and
curtsied
deeply.
“Yes
e’Npau
Sedai?”
she
asked.
“Twyla,
isn’t
it?”
The
girl
nodded.
e’Npau
smiled
at
her.
“I
need
you
to
do
something
for
me.
Are
you
currently
running
any
errands?”
Twyla
shook
her
head.
“No,
e’Npau
Sedai.
What
may
I
do
for
you?”
“Odysseus
of
Shienar,
a
Siswai...do
you
know
him?”
Twyla
nodded.
“I
need
you
to
find
him
and
bring
him
to
me.
Immediately.
He’s
in
Tar
Valon
somewhere...Light
only
knows
where...And
he
needs
to
come
to
me
here
as
soon
as
he
is
found.
Can
you
see
to
that?”
Twyla
nodded
and
curtsied
again.
“Is
that
all,
e’Npau
Sedai?”
e’Npau
nodded.
“Yes,
thank
you
Twyla.
Bundle
up.
It’s
hideous
weather
out
there.”
Twyla
nodded,
flashed
her
a
friendly
grin
and
ran
down
the
stairs
to
the
next
level
and
out
of
sight.
e’Npau
walked
back
into
the
room
and
sat
near
the
fire
across
from
Zhahn
to
wait
Odie’s
return.
******************************************************************************
An
hour
and
a
half
later,
Zhahn’s
nerves
were
about
to
frazzle
and
explode.
e’Npau
sipped
mulled
wine
as
she
waited
patiently,
thinking
rapidly
about
her
adventure
to
come.
Zhahn
turned
to
her
for
what
seemed
to
be
the
millionth
time
and
stared
at
her,
willing
her
to
tell
him
what
was
going
on.
e’Npau
ignored
him
completely,
watching
the
snow
fall
outside.
A
knock
on
the
door
was
barely
sounded
out
when
Zhahn
flew
across
the
room
to
open
it.
A
wet
and
cold
Odysseus
stalked
in.
Twyla,
also
wet
and
looking
frozen
and
intimidated,
stepped
just
in
the
doorway.
e’Npau
walked
over
to
her
and
smiled.
“Thank
you,
Twyla.
Go
warm
yourself
up
now,
and
take
the
rest
of
the
day
off
from
your
studies.
Tell
anyone
who
contests
that
to
talk
to
me
about
it
later.”
Twyla
curtsied
and
smiled
brightly
at
the
Aes
Sedai,
then
walked
quickly
down
the
stairs
to
the
Accepteds’
wing.
Zhahn
had
already
handed
Odysseus
a
warm
goblet
of
mulled
wine.
He
sat
huddled
up
in
his
chair
with
e’Npau’s
blanket
around
him,
trying
to
warm
himself
up.
Odie
looked
up
as
e’Npau
sat
across
from
him.
Zhahn
took
up
his
stance
at
the
fireplace,
with
one
arm
resting
idly
on
the
mantle,
and
the
other
hand
resting
on
the
pommel
of
his
sword,
gripping
the
brass
pommel
tightly,
the
only
outward
sign
of
his
anxiety
and
frustration.
Odie
spoke
up
as
e’Npau
sat
down
“What
was
so
important
that
you
need
to
drag
me
from
a
nice,
warm,
cozy
tavern
with
good
music
and
better
ale
into
the
freezing
cold
and
back
to
this...”
e’Npau’s
suddenly
frosty
glare
stopped
his
grumbling
and
he
straightened
up
considerably,
taking
note
also
of
Zhahn’s
stony
face.
e’Npau
kept
her
icy
green
eyes
locked
with
his
until
he
looked
away.
“Are
you
quite
done?”
she
asked.
He
nodded,
quiet,
but
now
curious
and
also
upset
at
her
pulling
rank
on
him.
“I’m
sorry,
e’Npau
Sedai.
Please,
tell
me
what
is
so
important
that
you
needed
to
see
me
immediately.”
He
eyed
her
with
concern
and
let
the
blanket
fall
from
his
shoulders.
e’Npau
nodded
and
glanced
around,
reaching
out
with
the
True
Source
to
check
the
wards
she
had
previously
placed.
Satisfied
they
were
still
strong,
she
released
the
Source
and
faced
her
Warder
and
her
Betrothed.
They
stared
at
her
intently,
giving
her
their
full
attention.
She
sighed,
suddenly
feeling
the
events
of
the
day
come
crashing
down
on
her.
“I’m
going
on
a
little
trip,”
she
started.
They
listened,
Odysseus’
face
growing
hard
as
he
heard
her
relate
what
the
Amyrlin
had
set
for
her
to
do.
Zhahn’s
face
was
set
stone.
e’Npau
felt
the
worry
and
anxiety
leaking
through
their
bond
like
water
through
an
unpatched
roof.
“So,”
Zhahn
finally
said,
his
voice
deep
and
as
stony
as
his
face.
“When
do
we
leave?”
Odysseus
leaned
forward
in
his
chair
and
watched
her.
e’Npau
felt
exhausted.
She
rubbed
her
eyes.
“That’s
the
last
thing
I
was
going
to
tell
you...”
Zhahn
nodded,
knowing
she
had
been
keeping
something
back,
and
watched
her.
“You
aren’t
coming.”
she
said,
simply
and
firmly.
An
explosion
was
the
best
word
she
could
use
to
describe
what
happened
next.
Odysseus
shot
straight
out
of
his
chair
and
started
yelling
“You
are
not
going
to
that
place
by
yourself!
I
don’t
care
who
orders
what!
I
will
not
allow
it!”
Zhahn
unconsciously
drew
his
sword,
his
grip
on
the
hilt
so
tight
his
knuckles
turned
white
and
he
shook.
“You
aren’t
leaving
me
behind
this
time,
e’Npau.
If
I
have
to
follow
you...If
I
have
to
destroy
everything
that
gets
between
us,
I’m
not
letting
you
go
there
alone.
Not
this
time.”
e’Npau
closed
her
eyes
wearily
and
let
them
rant
and
rave
themselves
hoarse.
When
they
finally
quieted
down,
she
opened
them
again.
They
stood
before
her,
united
in
their
effort.
Their
strong
faces
were
like
rocks,
hard,
and
etched
with
worry
and
fury
at
the
same
time,
worry
for
her
safety
and
fury
that
leaving
them
behind
had
even
been
suggested.
e’Npau
glanced
calmly
at
Zhahn’s
hand,
still
gripping
the
sharp
blade.
“Are
you
planning
on
using
that
marshmallow
stick
or
are
you
simply
trying
to
make
your
point?”
she
asked
lightly.
Zhahn
started,
then
looked
at
his
hand,
unaware
up
to
that
point
he
had
even
held
it.
He
reddened
and
quickly
sheathed
it,
his
composure
unsettled.
Odysseus
simply
stared
at
her,
waiting
for
her
next
words.
“Now,
if
you
are
both
calm
again?”
They
looked
at
each
other
and
shrugged,
then
settled
back
into
their
places.
e’Npau
stood.
Her
quiet,
even
tone
brooked
no
argument.
“I
will
be
going
to
Shara
alone.”
Zhahn
and
Odysseus
began
their
arguments
anew.
e’Npau
held
up
a
slim
hand,
every
inch
of
her
being
screaming
that
she
was
an
Aes
Sedai
as
her
face
remained
composed
and
calm,
her
green
eyes
steady
and
hard.
They
fell
silent
again.
“Another
outburst
will
earn
nothing
but
a
gag
of
Air
placed
in
both
of
your
mouths,
and
no
idea
of
when
I
will
be
leaving,
and
not
a
trace
to
follow.
I
assure
you,
gentlemen,
you
will
not
ever
find
me
in
Shara
should
you
choose
this
route.
You
both
know
me
well
enough
not
to
test
me.”
They
nodded
and
again
resumed
their
places
with
every
muscle
in
both
their
bodies
taut
to
the
point
of
shaking.
Zhahn,
e’Npau
could
tell,
was
taking
this
especially
hard.
He
wouldn’t
look
at
her
as
he
asked
his
next
question.
“How
long
will
you
be
gone,
e’Npau?
Or
do
you
know?”
She
sighed.
“About
a
year
and
a
half,
Zhahn.
That
is
the
plan,
anyway.”
He
nodded.
Odysseus
stood
and
stalked
angrily
over
to
the
window
and
stared
out
into
the
night.
It
had
finally
stopped
snowing,
but
the
clouds
had
not
yet
dissipated.
e’Npau
stood
and
stretched
her
muscles,
cramped
from
sitting
and
being
tense
for
so
long.
She
walked
over
and
laid
a
slim
hand
on
his
shoulder.
He
didn’t
look
at
her.
She
squeezed
his
shoulder
and
then
turned
to
Zhahn.
“Zhahn...”
he
looked
up,
his
usually
blue
eyes
now
grey
and
tortured.
“Zhahn,
if
there
were
any
other
way...But
there
isn’t...”
“e’Npau...I’ve
done
everything
you
have
ever
asked
of
me.
Followed
you
wherever
you
went,
stayed
behind
when
you
told
me
you
needed
to
be
alone.
Never
asking
for
anything
in
return.
But
e’Npau...”
he
stood
before
her,
then
kneeled
and
took
her
hand,
looking
up
into
her
eyes.
“I’m
begging
you
now,
please,
please,
let
me
come
with
you.
Don’t
leave
me
behind
on
this,
your
most
dangerous
venture
yet.”
She
closed
her
eyes,
her
hands
tightening
on
his.
“Zhahn,
I
cannot.
You
know
I
cannot.”
He
nodded,
closing
his
eyes.
“I
know.”
he
whispered.
He
stood
and
walked
wearily
to
the
door.
He
turned
back
to
her.
She
watched
him,
barely
able
to
keep
her
balance
from
the
weariness
that
was
overtaking
her
from
such
an
emotionally
draining
day.
“e’Npau,
I
ask
you
these
things
then.”
She
nodded.
“Go
ahead,
and
I
will
see
if
I
can
agree.”
He
nodded.
“First,
I
ask
you
not
to
leave
without
telling
me.
I
will
ride
with
you
to
the
city
gates
and
see
you
across
to
the
mainland.”
She
nodded.
“All
right,
Zhahn.
What
else?”
“Secondly,
if
you
do
not
return
in
18
months,
I
will
come
after
you.”
Odie
came
up
behind
her
and
placed
his
arms
around
her.
“We
both
will...”
he
said
softly
into
her
ear.
e’Npau
nodded
again.
“If
I
am
not
back
after
20
months.
Give
me
an
extra
two
months
leeway,
for
any
unseen
things.
If
I
have
not
returned,
or
at
least
communicated
with
you
in
20
months,
then
come
after
me.”
Odysseus
turned
her
to
face
him,
his
strong
arms
steadying
her
as
he
did
so.
“We
will
wait
no
more
than
19
months,
e’Npau.
I
swear
this
under
the
Light
and
by
my
Hope
of
Salvation
and
Rebirth.”
Zhahn
stood
next
to
Odysseus
and
faced
her.
“I
also
swear
under
the
Light
and
by
my
Hope
of
Salvation
and
Rebirth
that
I
will
wait
no
longer
than
19
months
before
I
come
after
you.
With
Odysseus,
of
course.”
Odysseus
nodded
at
Zhahn
appreciatively,
never
taking
his
eyes
off
e’Npau.
She
stared
at
both
of
them,
then
nodded
her
consent.
“19
months
it
is,
then.
I
will
either
find
a
way
to
communicate
with
you
or
I
will
return.
If
not,
you
may
come
after
me.
I
have
no
idea
where
in
Shara
I
will
be...”
Zhahn
cut
her
off.
“I’ll
find
you.”
She
stared
into
his
eyes,
and
then
smiled.
“Yes,
you
will,
won’t
you.”
He
bowed
deeply
and
formally.
“Honor
to
serve,
Aes
Sedai.
I
beg
your
permission
to
depart.”
She
smiled
and
nodded
her
assent.
“Honor,
my
Gaidin,
to
be
your
friend.
You
may
go
in
peace.
Walk
in
the
Light.”
He
walked
out
the
door
after
another
short
bow,
his
right
hand
crossing
across
his
torso
to
hold
the
pommel
of
his
sword,
and
closed
the
door
after
him.
e’Npau
realized
that
Odysseus
was
still
holding
her
and
blinked
up
at
him.
His
eyes
were
intense,
and
the
color
flashed
from
blue
to
green
to
grey
and
back
again
to
blue,
as
they
always
did
when
his
thoughts
were
in
turmoil.
“Do
you
know
how
much
I
hate
this?”
he
murmured,
staring
into
her
eyes.
“I
know...I
don’t
want
to
leave
you.
But
it
makes
sense
that
only
one
person
goes
in...I
can
mask
myself
and
my
ability
to
channel
well
enough,
and
I
can
manage
all
right
by
myself.
If
I
had
to
worry
about
anyone
else,
the
entire
mission
would
be
endangered,
and
the
resulting
backlash
could
be
anything
from
simply
executing
the
lot
of
us,
to
outright
war
on
the
known
world.”
Odie
nodded.
“I’ve
heard
your
reasonings,
and
I
agree
they
are
sound,
but
I
simply
don’t
have
to
like
them.
I
hate
them,”
he
added
vehemently.
She
rested
her
head
on
his
shoulder.
“I
know,
Cuebiyar.
I
know.”
******************************************************************************
The
next
week
flashed
by
like
lightening
in
a
summer
sky.
Hurried
preparations
were
made
for
the
long
journey
to
Shara.
Zhahn
insisted
on
seeing
to
travel
arrangements,
caravans,
and
the
details
of
the
voyage,
so
e’Npau
was
able
to
settle
down
a
bit
and
have
time
to
study
all
she
could
about
Shara.
She
tore
through
the
Library
like
a
cyclone
with
Cadrien,
who
had
known
of
the
mission
from
the
beginning,
devouring
every
word
about
the
mysterious
land.
She
interviewed
every
Aiel
and
Atha’an
Miere
in
the
Tower
and
Tar
Valon,
gleaning
from
them
the
few
things
they
knew
from
their
people’s
trade
with
the
Sharans.
By
the
end
of
the
week,
travel
had
been
arranged
and
secured,
and
she
was
as
mentally
and
emotionally
prepared
as
she
could
be.
All
had
been
done
in
secret,
but
both
she
and
the
Amyrlin
knew
that
her
absence
must
be
explained
to
the
Tower.
They
agreed
to
tell
everyone
she
was
going
on
a
tour
of
the
world,
documenting
what
defenses
and
tactics,
strategies,
and
other
militant
statistics
were
in
each
country,
and
how
they
could
be
used
in
Tar’mon
Gaidon.
The
same
reasoning
behind
not
taking
her
Warder
and
Betrothed
to
Shara
would
be
used
to
explain
why
she
wasn’t
taking
them
with
her
around
the
world
to
document
things.
The
day
of
her
departure
finally
arrived.
She
finished
packing
a
bag
and
tied
it
closed.
Her
green
silk
split
skirts
swished
together
as
she
walked
quickly
down
the
stairs
to
the
stables.
Zhahn
stood
next
to
her
tall
palomino,
Cair’mael.
The
tall
golden
gelding
whickered
softly
to
her
as
she
tied
her
bag
onto
the
back
of
the
high
cantled
saddle.
She
moved
in
front
of
him
and
patted
his
soft
grey
nose,
talking
softly
to
him.
Odysseus
came
out
of
the
stables
leading
Zhahn’s
tall
black
stallion
and
his
own
tall
horse,
both
saddled
and
ready
to
ride
and
escort
her
to
the
ferry.
e’Npau
mounted
as
Zhahn
held
the
bridle
for
her.
Odysseus
handed
Zhahn
the
reins
on
the
stallion
and
turned
to
mount
his
own.
“e’Npau
Sedai.”
the
Amyrlin’s
voice
made
e’Npau’s
head
turn
towards
the
Tower
gardens,
and
Odysseus
and
Zhahn
bowed
low,
holding
the
reins
of
their
mounts.
Qirien
nodded
to
them
briefly
and
walked
over
to
e’Npau.
e’Npau
started
to
dismount
but
Qirien
held
up
her
hand.
“No
need.
I
didn’t
want
you
to
leave
without
my
blessing.”
Qirien
smiled
up
at
her.
e’Npau
bowed
to
her
from
her
astride
Cair’mael
and
touched
his
reins
slightly
while
digging
in
with
her
left
heel.
Cair’mael
tossed
his
head,
then
bowed
to
the
Amyrlin,
one
leg
held
straight
in
front
of
him,
the
other
pulled
back
underneath
him,
his
head
low.
Qirien
nodded
and
Cair’mael
straightened,
tossing
his
creamy
mane.
e’Npau
smiled
and
patted
his
neck.
“My
brother
was
Court
Horseman
in
Arad
Doman...he
trained
him
for
me...”
she
smiled
at
the
Amyrlin.
“Are
you
ready
then,
e’Npau?”
the
Amyrlin
asked.
“Yes,
Mother.
I’ll
hook
up
with
the
Aiel
caravan
in
the
Threefold
land,
and
travel
with
them
over
the
mountains,
disguised
as
a
Maiden.
Upon
crossing
the
mountains
and
entering
Shara,
I
will
use
Saidar
to
disguise
my
channeling
abilities
and
then
mask
myself
as
a
Sharan.
From
there
I
will
use
my
eyes
and
ears
and
wits
to
figure
out
how
to
accomplish
my
mission.
In
a
year
and
a
half,
give
or
take
a
month,
I
will
either
send
word
I’m
out
of
Shara,
or
simply
return
to
the
Tower.”
Qirien
nodded.
“Exactly
as
was
planned.
You
will
do
well,
e’Npau.”
She
looked
over
the
men.
“And
you
two
will
stay
at
the
Tower
while
she
is
gone.”
The
men
nodded
assent.
She
glanced
back
at
e’Npau.
“I
will
not
keep
you
any
longer.
Walk
in
the
Light,
e’Npau,
and
may
the
Creator
Shelter
you
in
his
hand
and
keep
you
safe
until
you
return
to
us,
well
and
unharmed.”
She
patted
Cair’mael’s
silky
neck.
“And
you...may
you
keep
your
mistress
safe
in
her
travels
and
not
know
any
more
hardship
than
you
can
handle.”
She
wove
Saidar
as
she
spoke,
strengthening
him
as
best
as
she
could.
e’Npau
smiled
gratefully
at
her.
“Thank
you,
Mother.”
She
bowed
from
the
saddle
again,
and
the
men
bowed
as
well,
as
the
Amyrlin
left
to
go
back
into
the
Tower.
The
men
mounted
quickly
and
reined
in
their
mounts
on
either
side
of
e’Npau.
She
sighed
and
urged
Cair’mael
forward.
“Well,
time
to
go.”
They
followed
her
through
town,
silent
guardians,
the
only
sound
was
the
clip
clop
of
the
horses’
feet
on
the
cobblestones.
They
reached
the
ferry
and
helped
her
on.
They
all
dismounted
and
came
together.
Zhahn
reached
her
first.
He
swept
her
off
her
feet
in
a
huge
hug.
Setting
her
back
on
her
feet,
he
looked
her
in
the
eye.
“I
will
come
after
you,
e’Npau,
if
I
feel
you
need
it.
And
if
you
don’t
come
back
on
time.”
She
nodded,
straightening
her
hair
and
smoothing
her
dress.
She
shot
a
glare
at
the
ferryman
who
was
gaping
at
an
Aes
Sedai
being
swept
up
like
that
in
such
an
undignified
manner.
He
looked
away
quickly,
reddening.
Odysseus
then
stepped
in,
taking
her
in
his
arms
tightly
and
kissing
her
fiercely.
She
wrapped
her
arms
around
him,
mostly
to
keep
her
balance
at
the
sudden
movement,
and
decided
mentally
that
if
that
ferryman
said
a
word
he’d
be
mucking
out
tavern
stables
for
the
rest
of
his
natural
life.
The
kiss
ended,
and
e’Npau
again
smoothed
her
skirts
and
shot
a
glance
at
the
ferryman.
He
was,
thankfully
for
him,
silently
and
adamantly
following
the
paths
of
the
snowflakes
from
the
sky
as
they
hit
his
boots.
The
men
stepped
off
the
ferry
and
helped
the
hands
untie
the
ferry
and
push
it
off,
working
the
ropes
to
work
the
ferry
across
the
river.
She
stepped
off
the
ferry
and
led
the
palomino
after
her
when
it
docked,
hardly
waiting
for
the
ferrymen
to
tie
it
to
the
post.
Zhahn
and
Odysseus
were
standing
on
the
other
side,
their
hands
raised
in
silent
salute
to
her.
She
raised
her
hand
to
them,
waving
it
slightly,
then
mounted
Cair’mael
and
slapped
the
reins
against
his
neck.
He
began
a
casual
canter
away
from
Tar
Valon.
At
the
crest
of
a
small
hill,
she
turned
back.
Zhahn
and
Odie
were
just
mounting
their
horses,
but
still
watching
her.
She
waved
again,
and
they
returned
it.
She
slapped
Cair’mael’s
neck
with
the
reins
again
and
turned
towards
the
Threefold
land.
******************************************************************************
The
hot
sun
beat
down
on
her
veiled
head
as
the
caravan
finished
their
downward
assent
into
the
land
of
Shara.
Her
hair
had
lightened
naturally
quite
a
bit
during
her
weeks
in
the
Waste.
She
was
grimly
happy
that
she
was
in
such
great
shape,
for
all
the
walking
she
had
had
to
do.
In
fact,
since
her
time
with
the
Aiel,
she
knew
she
had
become
stronger
than
ever,
and
certainly
faster.
She
glanced
down
the
trail
to
the
town
below.
It
was
completely
surrounded
by
a
tall
stone
wall.
She
knew
they
had
been
watched
for
some
time
now.
Signs
of
people
tracking
them
and
following
them
had
been
constant.
The
Aiel
were
edgy
now,
and
silent
where
before
they
had
joked
openly
with
her.
They
had
been
ecstatic
to
learn
she
understood
and
appreciated
their
odd
brand
of
humor,
and
had
accepted
her
as
a
friend.
The
Wise
Ones
on
the
journey
had
done
so
reluctantly
at
first,
but
when
she
had
treated
them
as
her
equals,
and
even
deferred
to
them
and
asked
their
help
in
her
training
with
Dreamwalking,
they
opened
up
to
her
as
one
of
their
own.
They
were
pensive
now
as
well,
their
blue
and
green
and
grey
eyes
darting
actively
around
the
sparse
bushes
and
rocks
along
this
part
of
the
Cliffs
of
Dawn.
Another
hour
passed
before
they
reached
the
town.
A
delegation
of
about
thirty
Sharans
met
them
just
outside
the
city
gates.
The
trading
began
after
a
few
formalities.
All
the
Sharans
were
cloaked
and
veiled.
One
of
the
Wise
Ones
came
close
to
e’Npau.
“The
veils,
they
make
me
think
of
veiling
to
kill.
I
like
it
not
that
we
have
to
deal
with
ones
who
veil
themselves
to
hide
their
true
beings
when
they
have
no
cause
to
be
hidden.”
e’Npau
nodded.
“I
must
get
ready,
Sareil.
Will
you
aid
me?”
Sareil
nodded.
They
hurried
to
the
back
of
one
of
the
wagons
the
Aiel
had
brought.
e’Npau
changed
quickly
into
the
garb
of
a
Sharan
woman,
veiling
herself
appropriately.
Sareil
quickly
washed
her
hair
with
an
herb
of
some
kind...henpepper,
e’Npau
thought
it
was,
or
something
like
that...to
make
e’Npau’s
hair
black
as
ebony,
like
the
Sharans’.
e’Npau
then
channeled,
masking
her
Domani
features
with
those
of
the
non-descript
Sharan
woman
they
had
captured.
She
smiled
at
Sareil.
Sareil
nodded
thoughtfully.
“You
look
like
one
of
them.”
She
touched
e’Npau’s
heart.
“Do
not
mask
this,
though,
e’Npau
Aes
Sedai.
You
have
great
courage,
and
great
heart.
You
could
have
been
an
Aiel,
almost.”
e’Npau
grinned
and
hugged
the
Wise
One
affectionately.
“Thank
you
for
everything,
Sareil.
I
will
treasure
what
you
have
taught
and
shared
with
me
always.
I
hope
we
will
meet
again.
Will
you
send
word
to
Tar
Valon,
both
to
the
Amyrlin
and
to
Zhahn
al’Dhenn
that
I
have
made
it
into
Shara,
and
have
begun
my
mission?”
Sareil
solemnly
agreed.
“By
the
Wateroath
I
swear
it
shall
be
done.
It
is
time,
e’Npau.”
e’Npau’s
eyes
darkened,
and
she
nodded.
Sareil
slipped
out
of
the
wagon,
looked
around,
and
then
motioned
for
e’Npau
to
follow.
A
tall
Stone
Dog
came
from
behind
a
rock,
dragging
a
limp
shape
after
him.
To
make
sure
of
everything,
a
female
hostage
had
been
taken,
and
e’Npau
had
matched
her
face
to
that
of
the
captured.
Numbers
could
have
been
counted,
and
it
was
most
likely
so,
considering
how
strict
the
Sharans
seemed
to
be
on
everything
else,
and
meticulous.
e’Npau
joined
the
rest
of
the
Sharans
without
receiving
a
glance,
keeping
her
face
hidden
deep
in
the
folds
of
the
dark
coloured
but
thin
cloak
as
she
observed
the
trading.
Her
eye
caught
Sareil’s
bright
blue
one,
and
Sareil
nodded
slightly,
then
turned
to
yell
at
a
Water
Seeker
for
stumbling
into
her.
e’Npau
sighed
and
prepared
herself
to
be
a
Sharan
as
best
she
could,
watching
the
others’
mannerisms
and
using
them
as
her
guide.
******************************************************************************
The
delegation
of
Sharans
finished
bartering
with
the
Aiel
and
packed
up
their
remaining
wares.
They
turned
and
marched
back
into
the
city
two
by
two,
never
speaking
to
each
other.
e’Npau
looked
at
everything
her
eyes
could
manage
to
take
in
under
the
folds
of
her
cloak,
keeping
her
head
bowed
like
the
others.
The
city
gates
were
opened,
and
they
marched
in.
The
city
was
beautiful...unlike
any
she
had
ever
seen.
Even
the
Ogier
could
not
have
created
anything
so
light
looking,
so
feathery
and
so
fragile.
Gardens
and
odd
flowers
framed
beautiful
fountains.
Everything
was
perfectly
orderly
and
clean.
The
gates
were
closed
behind
them,
and
the
leader
of
the
delegation
stopped
and
turned
around
to
face
the
rest
of
them.
He
uncloaked
his
head
and
unveiled
his
face.
e’Npau
followed
suit
quickly,
imitating
the
others
only
a
breath
behind
their
actions.
He
nodded
and
they
dispersed.
Before
e’Npau
could
feel
lost,
the
young
woman
she
had
been
walking
with
took
her
elbow
amiably,
and
walked
with
her
to
one
of
the
small
buildings
to
the
right
of
the
street.
“Kayo,
don’t
you
think
the
Aielmen
are
too
tall?
And
so
fair!
I
don’t
think
I
would
like
a
man
so
tall
and
fair,
do
you?”
the
woman
asked
brightly
once
they
were
in
the
building.
e’Npau
shook
her
head.
Light,
what
on
earth
had
she
gotten
herself
into?
“No,
I
don’t
think
I
would
like
that
at
all.”
The
woman
looked
at
her
oddly.
“What’s
wrong
with
your
voice,
Kayo?
It
sounds
higher
than
normal...Are
you
all
right?”
e’Npau
deepened
her
voice
slightly
and
coughed.
“I
think
I’m
just
anxious
from
being
in
that
sun
for
so
long
with
those
hot
veils.
I
wish
we
didn’t
have
to
wear
them.”
The
other
woman
stared
at
her
as
if
she
were
mad.
“But
if
we
didn’t
have
the
veils,
the
foreigners
would
see
us,
and
we
would
be
unclean!”
e’Npau
nodded.
She
would
have
to
watch
everything
she
said...anything
could
give
her
away
now.
She
felt
for
Zhahn,
but
they
were
so
far
from
each
other
that
all
she
could
tell
was
he
was
alive.
“Of
course.
I’m
just
tired.
Perhaps
I
need
a
nap.”
The
woman
nodded
slowly.
“I’ll
leave
you
alone
then,
Kayo.
I’m
going
to
enjoy
the
day.”
e’Npau
lay
down
on
a
low
bed
and
closed
her
eyes
until
she
heard
the
Sharan
leave.
“I
do
need
a
nap”
she
thought
to
herself.
She
closed
her
eyes
again
and
tried
to
relax.
It
was
night
time
when
she
opened
them
again.
She
sat
up
with
a
start.
“Blood
and
Ashes”
she
thought
to
herself
harshly,
trying
to
focus
her
eyes
in
the
dark.
“I
slept
too
long!”
she
sighed.
The
other
woman
was
in
the
doorway,
staring
at
her.
e’Npau
smiled
up
at
her
brightly.
“I
see
I’ve
slept
well
past
what
I
should!
You
should
have
woken
me
up!”
The
woman
shook
her
head,
then
stepped
inside
and
to
the
left
of
the
door.
Two
women
walked
in.
e’Npau’s
eyes
widened
as
she
realized
they
could
channel.
Before
she
could
embrace
Saidar
herself,
one
of
the
women
had
stepped
forward
and
channeled
Spirit
into
e’Npau’s
mind,
making
her
tumble
to
the
floor
in
a
deep
sleep.
e’Npau’s
last
thoughts
as
she
hit
the
floor
were
dry.
“Well,
e’Npau,
you’ve
done
it
this
time.
You
wanted
to
get
in
with
the
Ayyad!
Let’s
hope
you
can
talk
your
way
out
of
this
before
Zhahn
and
Odysseus
decide
you’ve
been
gone
too
long!”
Her
heart
screamed
a
prayer
of
deliverance
to
the
Creator
as
her
thoughts trailed
away
into
darkness,
with
not
even
the
brightness
of
Tel’aran’rhiod
to
escape
into. |