The Wheel of Kin: A Daughter's Journey

Revelations

The morning sun filtered through the high windows of the White Tower, casting long golden rays across the marble floors. The light felt warm against Elara's cheeks, but it did nothing to calm the nervous flutter in her belly.

She walked between Moiraine and Lan, one small hand clutched in her mother's. Her other thumb kept creeping toward her mouth before she stopped herself each time, pressing it against her skirt instead.

The long walk to the Amyrlin Seat's study felt heavier than the time she tried to carry her training sword all the way back to their cottage. Her feet dragged just a little, but she said nothing.

She knew today was important.

Moiraine gave her hand a gentle squeeze as they reached the door.

Inside, Siuan Sanche stood beside her desk. She looked every bit the Amyrlin Seat—calm, sharp-eyed, impossible to read.

Except when her gaze fell on Elara.

"Elara," Siuan said gently, though her voice held its usual authority, "are you well?"

Elara nodded, her voice soft but steady. "Yes, Amyrlin Seat. I'm okay now."

Moiraine and Siuan shared a quiet look—one filled with pride, sorrow, and resolve.

Siuan motioned for them to sit. Lan remained at the door, standing guard, silent as stone. Moiraine sat beside Elara, who climbed into her chair, her little legs swinging above the floor. She gripped the edge of her skirt tightly, twisting the fabric.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then Elara whispered, "Are you mad I went into the dream?"

Moiraine shook her head gently. "No. Not mad. Only worried."

Elara bit her lip. " I didn't mean to... go too deep. It just sort of... happened."

"You've been through more than anyone your age should," Siuan said. "And you came back. That matters."

Elara looked down. Then slowly, she began to speak—her voice hesitant, halting, like she was still unsure if saying it aloud made it more real.

"I saw the man again. The one with the... scary eyes. And the lady was there too. She was so pretty, but her smile was... wrong. It made my stomach hurt." She paused. "They talked like I was supposed to... belong to them."

Siuan's expression darkened slightly. "Did they ask anything of you?"

Elara nodded. "They said... if I said yes, I wouldn't be scared anymore. That they could keep me safe if I joined them." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "I said no. I didn't want their kind of safe."

Moiraine's hand moved to Elara's back, steady and reassuring.

"You did the right thing," she said quietly. "Even when it was hard."

Elara's voice shook. "But... why do they want me? I'm just a kid. I didn't ask for this."

Siuan stepped around the desk and knelt beside her chair, still keeping the formality of her role but softening her voice. "Because you are a Dreamwalker, Elara. That's a very rare gift—one the Shadow would use for terrible things."

Elara looked at her hands, her lip trembling. "So... it's because I'm weird?"

Moiraine leaned in, cupping her daughter's cheek. "No. It's because you're special. There hasn't been a Dreamwalker in the Tower for over five hundred years."