An unbreakable bond

Chapter 36

Because of Siuan, Moiraine and Lan escaped punishment again. She convinced most of the Aes Sedai that the poor warder just had wanted to see his bonded Aes Sedai since they had been separated for days. Alanna had smirked about it, while Liandrin had looked as if her head would explode any minute.

But as soon as Moiraine, Lan, and Siuan were alone, the Amyrlin turned into a hurricane and almost ripped their heads off by herself when she told them to stop pushing her into defending their actions over and over again. Especially Lan was told not to kidnap Moiraine anymore, or she would think about a real punishment for him.

Slowly, the White Tower returned to its usual business. The Aes Sedai had recovered from the attack of the Black Ajah, and even the warders had been able to rest and regained their strength. They had lost five Aes Sedai to the poison, and Siuan took the time to thank every warder and novice personally for their help in saving her daughters.

Lan and Nynaeve received a special reward for saving the Amyrlin. They could ask for a favor, and the Amyrlin would do her best to help them. But Lan declined it. In his opinion, she already rewarded him when she had stepped up for Moiraine and him and had protected them from punishment. Not only once but twice within the last few days. Siuan smiled and told him that she had done it for Moiraine and that she wouldn't withdraw her offer. Lan smiled and thanked her. Although the powerful woman couldn't help herself not to warn him again to lay low for a while.

On one of those quieter days, a woman in a blue dress entered the White Tower. Her brown hair had white strands in it, while her brown eyes were showing wisdom. This woman had become an Aes Sedai a long time ago. One of the warders wanted to stop her, but she showed him the golden serpent ring, and he bowed respectfully. "Aes Sedai."

She didn't even look at him. She walked through the entrance hall and into the first corridor, while her fingertips gently touched the white walls. It had been such a long time since she had seen these corridors. And still, she remembered every corner.

Her feet brought her directly to the Hall of the Tower, which doors were closed since there was no meeting at the moment. Smiling, the woman in blue opened the doors and stepped inside. And there it was, the Amyrlin Seat. How long had it been since she had seen it the last time? And yet, she could remember every moment of when she had been banished. And all because of this little nosy novice, who couldn't keep her noble nose out of other's business.

Angrily, the woman clenched her teeth when she remembered the brunette. Moiraine Damodred!

Suddenly, an Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah entered the Hall of the Tower. "Excuse me. Can I help you?"

But she wasn't alone. Egwene had been assigned to follow Kiera Sedai for the day and to help her with the sick people in the infirmary. When she saw the woman in the blue dress, she furrowed her forehead. She couldn't remember that she had met her before.

"Actually, yes." The woman put on a big smile and turned to the sister and the young novice. "I've heard about this terrible attack. Poison in the White Tower. I couldn't believe it. Your losses must have been tremendous."

The sister furrowed her forehead, but then her eyes fell on the serpent ring and she relaxed when she recognized a fellow sister. "I fear it was an attack of the Black Ajah."

"The Black Ajah?" The mysterious woman acted shocked and even touched her chest as if she couldn't believe it, but there was something in her voice that didn't sound right to Egwene. "I assumed that they were a myth."

"We all wished they would be a myth, but apparently they are very real."

"How many sisters did you lose?"