Missing and extended scenes of Wheel of Time - TV series

3x08 - Story A - Best interest

There are only a few hours left until the big vote takes place in the Hall of the White Tower.

Calmly, Moiraine leaned against one of the massive stone pillars, watching Lan train with Stepin. Or rather, was he doing his best to avoid her. The man was pissed and fought hard to keep his anger under control.

It wasn't working. Even Stepin had noticed something was going on. He had asked Lan a couple of times if there was something bothering him, but the Malkieri had stayed quiet. So, the two men kept fighting.

Every other man would've given up by now – asking for a break – but a Warder was stronger because of the bond. Moiraine assumed those two could go on for hours without stopping.

Sometimes, Stepin threw a glance at the Cairhien woman as if he was hoping she would finally step in and stop the madness, but Moiraine stayed as quiet as Lan, pretending not to see Stepin's glances. She wouldn't be the one who made the first step. It was Lan who was angry with her, not the other way around.

"When will you stop this nonsense?"

Surprised, Moiraine blinked, then turned her head toward Kerene, who had appeared beside her. The Green Sister didn't look at Moiraine. Instead, she watched the two men just like Moiraine had.

"My Warder-"

"Keeps my Warder occupied," Kerene finished Moiraine's sentence calmly. "The question is, why don't you intervene?"

Moiraine sighed. Did Kerene really think the Blue would talk to her?

"Lan likes to train with Stepin."

Kerene snorted, then tore her eyes away from the two men to look at Moiraine. "I'm aware of that, Moiraine. And you know that Stepin also likes to train with Lan. But this is not training."

The woman of the Blue Ajah returned the Green Sister's look calmly. "And what would you call it?"

Sighing, Kerene shook her head. "Oh, Moiraine." Apparently, the other woman wasn't willing to play Moiraine's game. "Fine. If you don't wish to do something about your Warder's mood, that's your decision. But I'll take Stepin with me now. I have to prepare for the vote, and Stepin's worries distract me."

The vote. Immediately, Moiraine tensed. Every sister was talking about electing a new Amyrlin Seat today. Siuan and Elaida were the last two contestants. Later, the Sitters of the Hall would vote for those two women, and the winner would become the next Amyrlin Seat. And Kerene WAS one of those Sitters!

"Preparing? Does that mean you don't know yet who to vote for?" Moiraine asked carefully. She had assumed that Siuan wouldn't have to worry about the Green Sitters since the Green and the Blue Ajah always supported each other.

Kerene smiled. She knew exactly that Moiraine was fishing for answers. "I haven't decided yet. After all, it's not an easy decision. I need to have in mind what's best for the Tower and not to think about what I want."

Moiraine's stomach twisted painfully. If Siuan couldn't count on the Green Ajah's support... Light! Elaida couldn't become the Amyrlin Seat! She would never work with the Dragon Reborn!

Suddenly, a sharp pain hit the Cairhien woman's face, and she winced.

"Moiraine?" Worry filled Kerene's voice while she grabbed Moiraine's arm to have a better look at the other woman. "What's wrong?"

Shocked, the woman of the Blue Ajah lifted her hand to her left cheek. It still hurt, though it hadn't been her who had been hit.

"I'm sorry, Lan." Stepin was already by the Malkieri's side, who lay on the ground. "I thought you would duck, like you always do. Are you alright?"