The Gathering Storm

"And why was an Asha'man in the camp?" Egwene asked coolly.

"He'd been sent as an envoy," Siuan explained. "From the Dragon Reborn. Mother, it appears some of the men who follow al'Thor have bonded Aes Sedai."

Egwene blinked a single time. "Yes. I had heard rumors of this. I had hoped that they were exaggerated. Did this Asha'man say who gave Rand permission to commit such an atrocity?"

"He's the Dragon Reborn," Siuan said, grimacing. "I don't think he feels he needs permission. But, in his defense, it appears he didn't know it was happening. The women his men bonded were sent by Elaida to destroy the Black Tower."

"Yes." Egwene finally showed a sliver of emotion. "So the rumors are accurate. All too accurate." Her beautiful dress retained its shape, but bled to a deep brown in color, like Aiel clothing. Egwene didn't seem to notice the change. "Will Elaida's reign of disasters never cease?"

Siuan just shook her head. "We've been offered forty-seven Asha'man to bond as restitution, of sorts, for the women al'Thor's men bonded. Hardly a fair trade, but the Hall decided to accept the offer nonetheless."

"As well they should have," Egwene said. "We shall have to deal with the Dragon's foolishness at a later date. Perhaps his men acted without his direct orders, but Rand must take responsibility. Men. Bonding women!"

"They claim saidin is cleansed," Siuan said.

Egwene raised an eyebrow, but did not object. "Yes," she said, "I suppose that might be a reasonable possibility. We will need further confirmation, of course. But the taint arrived when all seemed won; why should it not leave when all seems to be approaching pure madness?"

"I hadn't considered it that way," Siuan said. "Well, what should we do, Mother?"

"Let the Hall deal with it," Egwene said. "It seems they have matters in hand."

"They'd be better at keeping them in hand if you'd return, Mother."

"Eventually," Egwene said. She sat back and laced her fingers in her lap, somehow looking far older than her face would suggest. "My work is here, for now. You'll have to see that the Hall does as it should. I have great faith in you."

"And it's appreciated, Mother," Siuan said, keeping her frustration inside. "But I'm losing control of them. Lelaine has begun to set herself up as a second Amyrlin—and is doing it by pretending to support you. She's seen that appearing to act in your name serves herself."

Egwene pursed her lips. "I would have thought Romanda would take the advantage, considering that she discovered the Forsaken."

"I think she assumed she'd hold the advantage," Siuan said, "but she spent too long basking in her victory. Lelaine has, with no small effort, become the most devoted servant of the Amyrlin who has ever lived. You would think that you and she were the closest of confidants, to hear her speak! She's appropriated me as her attendant, and each time the Hall meets it's 'Egwene wanted this' and 'Remember what Egwene said when we did that.'"

;Stop!" Siuan snapped, spinning on him and pointing.

"But—"

"Don't say it," she threatened. "I'll gag you and leave you hanging in the air until sundown tomorrow. Don't think that I won't."

Bryne sat, silent.

"I'm not finished with you yet, Gareth Bryne." She whipped the shirt in her hands, then folded it. "I shall tell you when I am."

"Light, woman," he muttered, almost under his breath. "If I'd known you were Aes Sedai before chasing you to Salidar . . . if I'd known what I was doing. . . ."

"What?" she demanded. "You wouldn't have hunted me down?"

"Of course I would have," he said indignantly. "I'd have just been more careful, and perhaps come better prepared. I went off hunting boars with a rabbit knife instead of a spear!"

Siuan set the folded shirt on top of the others, then picked up the stack. She gave him a suffering look. "I will do my best to pretend that you didn't just compare me to a boar, Bryne. Kindly be a little more cautious with your tongue. Otherwise, you'll find yourself without a maidservant, and you'll have to let those ladies in the camp take up your laundry."

He gave her a bemused look. Then he just laughed. She failed at keeping her own grin to herself. Well, after that exchange, he would know who was in control of this association.

But . . . Light! Why had she told him about the Foretelling? She'd rarely told anyone about that! As she packed the shirts in his trunk, she glanced at Bryne, who was still shaking his head and chuckling.

When other oaths no longer have a hold on me, she thought. When I'm certain the Dragon Reborn is doing what he is supposed to, perhaps there will be time. For once, I'm actually starting to look forward to being done with this quest. How remarkable.

"You should be bedding down, Siuan," Bryne said.

"It's early yet," she said.