An unbreakable bond

Chapter 37

Lan ran after Moiraine, but as soon as he came closer to her, she used the One Power to tighten the air around him and hold him in place, while she moved onward. After his fifth attempt, the warder gave up to close the distance between them and just followed her through the corridors.

"This is a mistake!", he growled, while he thought about a solution to make her stop "She tried to kill you before. She will try it again if you give her the chance."

"I will keep my distance."

"And what makes you think that this is enough?! She can kill you from the distance too! Please, Moiraine, I beg you. Don't go there."

Lan was surprised when she actually stopped and turned to him. He used the opportunity to close the distance between them, but before he was able to grab her, she used the One Power again to freeze him. "I really wish you would stop doing that."

"If I wouldn't do it, you would definitely throw me over your shoulder and lock me into my bedroom." Moiraine smiled when she felt his annoyance because she had thwarted his plan. "I'll be alright."

"That's a lie, and you know it."

But Moiraine had already turned again and was heading to the Hall of the Tower. When she released the air around him, the warder punched the wall then he took the same direction, keeping his distance again. He didn't like this situation at all and this time, he didn't hide his feelings. If she decided to act stubborn and would ignore his advice then she had to live with his anger, which was pulsing through their bond. And she was feeling it. Lan saw it in the way she was rolling her shoulders.

When they entered the corridor in front of the Hall of the Tower, it was already crowded with sisters of the Red and Green Ajah and their warders. Moiraine only hesitated for a second, then she moved between her sisters to get inside.

Lan threw one look at his fellow brothers, then he took the same path Moiraine had taken. If his Aes Sedai was facing an Aes Sedai of the Black Ajah, he would be damned if he would stay behind. With this many people around them, Moiraine wasn't able to use the One Power to hold him back.

Moiraine reached the first row and recognized Alanna and Liandrin among them. They both seemed ready to fight, but Moiraine didn't see that they were using the One Power. If she was honest, there was no Aes Sedai in here channeling. Foldera stood with her back to them in the middle of the hall, while an unconscious Kiera was lying to her feet. At least, Moiraine hoped that the yellow sister was only unconscious. It was impossible to tell from this distance.

"What are you waiting for?", she whispered just loud enough for Alanna and Liandrin to hear her "She is alone. Why haven't you overpowered her yet?"

"We can't.", Liandrin hissed angrily.

"She has a small vial with her and it's filled with this disgusting poison." Alanna gnashed her teeth. They had been so sick of this stupid poison. "She opened it once to prove that she wasn't joking, but it was already enough. Immediately, my blood was on fire again and this pull..."

Alanna shivered when she remembered what she had done the last time when she had felt this pull. She never wanted to feel this again.

Suddenly, Foldera turned around and when her eyes fell on Moiraine, her face showed anger. "You!"

The woman of the Blue Ajah took a deep breath then she stepped between her two sisters. Lan tried to grab her, but she was faster than him. Luckily, Alanna and Liandrin reacted and each of them grabbed one of Moiraine's arms to stop her. It wasn't a good idea to get too close to this woman.