Respite & Resolve

[Natalie Grey]

Nythadri & Elly

Continued from The Wheel Turns:

The horses' hooves thudded from the grass of the hillside to a clop against stones in a courtyard. Braziers burned, emitting red flickering warmth but little true light, casting the corners into gloomy shadows. Nythadri’s gaze swept her new surroundings. It was not the first time she had stepped through someone else’s Gate into the utter unknown -- and that did not even include Talin’s hurried offering two days prior -- but she was surprised to this time feel a little trepidation stir in her gut. It seemed somehow more final; like the first step on a path that would not allow for retreat.

It was a quiet welcome, but did not seem clandestine either despite the dark hour. A few servants milled, so clearly they had been expected, but it was as unceremonious as an unremarkable return home rather than the formal welcome of White Tower guests. Talin never revealed where she was from, and Nythadri had never cared to ask, but she did not think this was so personal a glimpse as to reveal where the woman was born -- and Nythadri had other suspicions to that end anyway. She watched the Yellow dismount, nimble despite long hours in the saddle. The lines of her shoulder had eased a little, like the weight was a little less.

It seemed they had reached a moment of respite.

Nythadri wasn’t sure how she was going to negotiate her stiff limbs into a graceful dismount, but Elly must have felt a resonance of the pain because she slid free from her own horse easily, and then reached to offer assistance without prompting. Light above did it hurt though, and for a moment Nythadri wasn’t wholly convinced her legs would even bear her weight. She felt more than saw Elly’s sly smile, and pulled away belligerently from the support of the hand at her elbow. Talin might ease the suffering, but Nythadri would not endure the injury of pride to ask, and she doubted the woman would even think to offer. Or perhaps find it amusing not to.

“Rest, sister -- we will do that while we can. And then we must speak,” was in fact all the Aes Sedai said at all as she drew close. Her face was solemn in the torchlight. There was a pinch of weariness in her eyes though, revealed perhaps in the relief of brief sanctuary.

*✣*

This was not where she had expected to be. The rooms she and Elly were shown to were handsomely furnished, though they might have been as sparse as an Accepted’s chamber and Nythadri would have still been glad for the hallmarks of civilization. Steam rolled atop a copper bath by the hearth, and a small platter of breads, olives, and wine had been left on the table. Elly’s long legs roamed from wall to wall, investigating all nuances. No worry flared from within her. It seemed more instinct or habit than mistrust, and Nythadri watched with mild amusement for newly minted rituals. It seemed unlikely they had anything to fear here, but she let the woman complete the task undisturbed.

“I will find out exactly where we are. Can I trust you to stay out of trouble?”

“We really need to talk about this baby Aes Sedai thing.” The tone scorched dry as the Waste, but there was little true offense at the irreverence. Rather that than cloying formality, which would have been infinitely more tiresome. She unhooked the clasp of the cloak at her throat. Whatever oils had been mixed with the bathwater itched her skin with the desire to be clean. She could almost feel the heat soothing tired muscles. “My guess is somewhere in Illian, by the food and decor.”

The Warder nodded, and did not seem to notice that the words came with no promise as she slipped out the door.