Chapter 16

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When the morning came, the camp awoke. Lan, who was observing their hosts since last night, noticed that the women were the ones, who were the first ones out to prepare everything for the day. Two women approached their tents, but when they saw Lan with the blade in his hands and the dangerous look in his eyes, they quickly turned around and left. Lan didn't care if they were going to tell Beram about it. He wanted to leave this place as fast as possible.

Slowly, Lan re-entered their tent. Moiraine and Nynaeve were still peacefully asleep, but the wisdom stirred when the fabric fell back into place. Tiredly, she rubbed her eyes, then she sat herself upright and saw Lan.

"Good morning."

"Morning. Don't tell me you stayed up all night."

"I didn't want to give Tarin a chance to return."

Sighing, Nynaeve looked down at the sleeping Aes Sedai. "We have to leave this place. I won't survive another day with those... people. And we can't hide HER all the time in this tent."

Lan came over and nodded. "I won't give Tarin another chance to touch any of you."

"They won't be happy about it. Beram wanted to talk to Loial."

"Then he should have a better control over Tarin."

Moiraine stirred, then she opened her eyes as well. Lan sat down on the edge of the bed and waited until she turned her head to him. She only needed one look at his face to know that he hadn't slept.

"Did he return?" She didn't need to say a name. All of them knew who she was talking about. When Lan shook his head, the Aes Sedai sighed relieved. "We should move on as soon as possible."

"We'll pack everything together and then we leave this place. I rather fight against the Aiel, than stay any longer with men like Tarin."

Moiraine put her hand on Lan's forearm and squeezed it softly. "Do you want to close your eyes for a few minutes? We can..."

"I'm good. How do you feel?"

"I want to leave this place."

Lan looked carefully at her face, but Moiraine avoided his gaze. She knew what he was looking for and she wasn't ready to talk about last night.

Nynaeve, who couldn't stand the moment between the Aes Sedai and her warder stood up and started to pack her stuff. Lan finally gave up to get an answer from Moiraine and started to help her. When they were done, and everyone was fully dressed again, they heard Liana's voice at the entrance.

"Sir? May I enter?"

Instead of an answer, Lan moved to the entrance and opened it with his sword in his hands. He had assumed that Tarin would use Liana to get his way back into their tent. But the young woman was alone and was shocked when she saw his blade.

"Please, Sir. Did I do something wrong? I can... I can come back later if you..."

"That's not necessary, Liana. We are leaving your group."

"You're leaving?" Liana looked confused but followed Lan inside when the warder turned around. "I don't understand. Beram told me that I was supposed to bring you to him, so, you two can have breakfast together."

"That is really kind of him, but I have to decline."

Suddenly, the young woman fell to her knees and leaned forward until her forehead came in contact with the ground. "Please, Sir. Please tell me what it is that made you angry, so, I can try to make it up to you. We don't wish to anger you, and my husband will..."

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