01-02-2023, 12:02 AM
(This post was last modified: 08-08-2023, 07:14 PM by Jay Carpenter.)
The square was packed. Shoulder to shoulder where market stalls normally squeezed in. The crowd stretched into the surrounding streets. Even if they could see or hear nothing of the proceedings. Everyone knew this was history and apparently wanted to witness it. Jai got it. Being able to boast that they were there. To tell stories to the grandkids decades later. He could say as much about the battle of Tar Valon. A dumb kid running into the night with a sword that wasn’t his and a bloodlust for glory. He was there. But there would be no grandkids to tell the tale in his twilight years. He was unlikely to live long enough to sire any to begin with. At least none that he knew about. Its not like he’d been celibate all these years, but surely if some tall for his age kid tottled around out there, he’d know about it by now.
From the edge of the platform, Jai studied the closest audience members. The High Lord’s dignitaries lined one half. They were done up in every conceivable adornment as Jai had ever seen Seanchan wear. The bug-eyes on one soldier shadowing High Lord Sivikawa locked Jai’s jaw with the kind of tightness that would take a crowbar to open. He remembered the first time he saw the helmets: a mix of fear and hate bubbled up. How many had he seen roll on the ground? Or hollowed out shells when the body within crumbled to ash underfoot. They were the enemy, and yet, here they were with ribbons flowing on tall stakes and lanterns ready to be released in honor.
He tried to reign it in. Really. He tried. For Daryen’s sake. The king was nearby, speaking with a head of the High Council. She was dressed in her finest as well. Everyone treated this like a holiday. A celebration. Jai just folded his arms and waited.
Antony Sadiq was no where to be seen. Since the General’s arrest, rumors of Daryen’s attempted assassination fell to nothing. A new man was raised to replace the rank of commander of the armies, but Jai knew little of him personally. An ignorance he needed to remedy soon. The newly minted General came to stand nearby. Jai nodded. The last thing he’d heard was threats for bringing him down. That he had loyal men who would defend their general’s honor. Jai was sent to make sure they were loyal to the king instead. They were by the time the Asha’man left, and Jai suppresed the remainder of the memories. Another friend that wasn’t a friend. He should start making a list.
With the sounding of horns, High Lord Sivikawa walked on stage. A table had been hauled straight from the palace and placed in center. A law book was laid atop. Jai previously scanned the language within, but couldn’t bring himself to finish to the end. It was Daryen’s voice that peeled Jai’s gaze from the Seanchan bastard.
Threads of Saidin rolled forth. Ready to carry the king’s voice to every ear no matter how out of sight. His brother’s strength was legendary, and Jai knew this was nothing but a glimpse of Daryen’s power. What a weapon he would be.
“Today we celebrate a great leap forward toward peace. I invite the nations of the west to follow the lead of Arad Doman toward greater prosperity,” he said. Jai made himself scan the rooflines while Daryen spoke. He’d already walked them. Made sure that the best eyes were planted. Watching.
“From this day onward, the Seanchan will have free will to start businesses within our borders.”
Jai glanced over his shoulders. Daryen’s entourage were huddled on their side of the stage. Jai was the only Asha’man present in front, but in addition to the General, there was the High Councilwoman, keeper of the laws, and representative from the courts. Strangely, Jai spied no Aes Sedai. Wouldn’t a Gray or at least a Blue want to witness this? What Ajah was Kekura Sedai? Come to think of it, she didn’t say. No Browns. Fate wasn’t here. It was like the absence of the White Tower’s representatives was in itself a silent protest to this treaty. Neither was there anyone of the Black Tower except Jai. Daryen acted on his own in this. Support or no support from either tower. Probably meant nobody was coming to their rescue when this went south.
“They will be allowed to purchase lands and hold rites equivalent to Domani citizens, yet answer to their own government.”
Finally, Jai scanned the crowd. Behind the rows of nobles and the wealthiest of merchants were amassed the normal people. They hung on Daryen’s every word. Delight and pride shone on their faces. They’d elected Daryen their ruler to begin with. Their love elevated Daryen’s power. How he did it was amazing to Jai. As he roamed the faces, planted in the distance was a man he knew. Jai almost smiled. Seems he wasn’t the Black Tower’s only representative after all. Araya’s expression was unreadable, but Jai did not get the impression that the Asha’man was enjoying himself. Near by was the ugly woman from the candle shop. She didn’t seem to know she was next to an Asha’man. Or maybe she did. Even at this distance, her gaze found Jai. It was only for a moment before she watched the stage again, but he had the feeling she had been looking for him as well.
“And all restrictions will be lifted in the exchange of coin. Equal weights. Without taxation. Without hinderance. The Crown will recognize the Seanchan mark and vice versa.”
Both parties signed the treaty with a flourishing quill. All was wrapped up and the book bequeathed to the law master. It all went rather smoothly. Jai squeezed his eyes shut, just long enough to pretend this wasn’t happening, then the gongs and horns fell silent again. When next he looked, the table had been cleared and a figure had joined them on stage.
She was dressed in the red silky gown that he first saw her wear at the celebration during the Hunt. A red so dark that it was almost black. Gold chased up the sleeves like smoke. It brought the darkness of her aura to life much like a smoldering fire. Beguilingly innocent, dangerous to the touch.
Trista held her head low, hair fallen around her shoulders. It was known she was a Gaidar of the Tower. Daryen had introduced her as such the night of her emergence to Domani society. Jai’s breath caught in his throat. She must have been hidden away for him not to have spied her earlier.
“High Lord Sivrikawa, I know you admire the Gaidar. She is an extraordinary design, and it is with admiration for our treaty that I grant her to your company. She is yours.” A gentle nudge on Trista’s back and she glided across the stage as effortlessly as any Aes Sedai. Her rapier was even belted at her waist. She didn’t even seem to care about her destiny.
In return, a chest was carried to the stage. It was heavy just to look at it, but if it was filled with what Jai imagined it to contain, such explained why it took four strong soldiers to lift it up the stairs.
Dilek, the Voice of the High Lord, in all her blind, albino glory gestured on the High Lord’s behalf. When the chest was opened, every manner of gold and jewel gleamed from within. To parade it openly in front of the city was a marvel of confidence in security. The collective gasp was genuine. Even from those in the front row. The Voice scooped a palm of the wealth, letting it fall like sand through her hands. The crowd was utterly silent but for the cascade of riches. Even Jai found himself staring. And for a banker, that meant something.
The chest was probably worth more than the economies of some nations.
“A gift in return. A measure of the fortune Arad Doman will gain from this alliance.”
Then that was it. The treaty was signed and the gifts exchanged. The trunk was carried away by flows of Air straight from Daryen. Trista glanced into the crowd briefly before falling into the shadow of her new master. What, or who, she looked at was lost to Jai. But he had the feeling that it must have been her last glimpse of freedom. He had no idea what became of her after that.
There was a banquet at sunset. These things were always at sunset. But from the palace balconies, sunset over the ocean was a breath taking sight. So Jai understood the timing. He wanted to be there when the trunk was hauled away for deposition into the crown’s coffers, so for once, Jai splintered away from Daryen’s sight. The king traded glances with him when the trunk was lifted to its iron-clad carriage and locked inside.
It was a short ride to the Great Treasury of the king. The fortress was more than a tower. It was surrounded by moats and soldiers. Like some of the great ones in the world, this one held chambers for prisoners of state as much as for the country’s wealth. In this case, the crown’s wealth. Daryen’s House had its own, and the Council of Merchants made sure the two did not intertwine. This belonged to the nation of Arad Doman more than it did Daryen.
The entourage delivered the trunk to the underground treasury. This must represent a fraction of the Seanchan’s enormous wealth. What the Empress owned must be inconceivable. No wonder their war machines were endless.
He’d never entered the treasury room itself before. Never had need. Nor even if he wanted to, would even Jai be granted permission. It was only because he was with Daryen did he see the inside of the tower at all. The One Power hauled the trunk down a long ramp straight into the rock. Crowns. Piles of gold. Pieces of art. Jewels larger than a man’s fist. It made the bank house’s vaults look like a paper box. Of course it should. The economy of a nation’s backing was in this room.
“Do you want me to stay with it?” Jai asked of the king as he pondered the expansion of their wealth. He was tempted to start quantifying the gift. Recording every ounce and carat and estimating its value. But he would prefer to keep an eye on more valuable targets tonight.
“Arad Doman’s treasury has been safe for hundreds of years. I expect it will be fine,” he replied, voice soft and distracted. He lifted the lid and leaned over the top, scooping out some samples of coin and jewels much too alike Dilek had beforehand. Amid the mass was a necklace made of a black metal that Jai did not recognize. Maybe it was some mineral of Seanchan unknown on their shores. The One Power engulfed Daryen as threads probed the surface. Whatever Daryen felt, a thoughtfulness touched his brow that Jai recognized.
“What do you sense, brother?” he asked. But Daryen released the One Power and left the thing alone.
Soon, though, his demeanor changed.
“And besides, we have a banquet to attend,” he added with a grin and clapped Jai on the shoulder. A gateway carried their return to the palace.
The night blurred. The banquet was just like one of a hundred he’d been to in the past. Jai’s heart wasn’t in the revelry. He steered clear of the feast. Just sniffing the dishes made his eyes water. He wasn’t hungry anyway and opted to wait until the festivities died down before searching out his own meal. Dancing didn’t interest him. Not even when some famously sensual Domani propositioned him for a turn on the floor. Oh he didn’t decline. And he was happy to be felt up by wandering hands. But he wasn’t particularly interested in return. He’d hoped to see Araya about, but the other Asha’man had disappeared as much as Trista.
Daryen lived the high life. He even gifted a gold mark of the Empress from the High Lord’s gift to everyone in attendance. It only cost a few hundred. It was a fraction of the value in that trunk.
At the height of the festivities, Jai snuck out. Nobody seemed to notice his absence, and he didn’t intend to be gone all night. He intended to find a card game and a bland meal. But as he roamed the city streets, he knew his destination was southernly directed. He didn’t even think before testing the latch on the candle shop.
He ducked inside.
“Hello?” he said. For a shop full of candles, only one lantern was lit. His heart beat quickened. Though he wasn’t sure what explained the nervousness. Shadows pooled in the corners. Anticipation he decided. He wasn’t even sure what he was doing here. It seemed a poor place for shadowspawn to lurk.
That was when a husky voice beckoned from the shadows. It made him jump, though not so much as to reflexively seize the One Power. It was the woman from earlier. The one that commented on the sword.
“Oh how I wish I had run into you before this…” she waved her hand up and down herself as she rose to her feet. Before what? Did she used to look different? Maybe she was rich once? She stood with the paltry weight of a cat approaching its prey and Jai felt himself tense.
“Excuse me?” Jai asked, recognizing the look in her eye. He was accustomed to women making pretty strong advances. Usually he didn't play hard to get, but in this case, he really didn't want to be gotten.
“Maybe I’m in the wrong place,” he added and glanced at the door. Deciding this was a wrong idea after all. She had no reason to give him anything to be nervous about, but Jai’s discomfort was palpable. She walked with a sensuality that belied the bend in her shoulders, but after a few steps, a trick caught her hip and she stumbled. Jai reached out on instinct, mostly because he didn’t want to see her hurt herself, and also because, well, he wasn’t an asshole.
After she was steadied, he gasped as she pressed into him.
“Uhh,” his eyes were wide as he licked his lips.
“Yeah I think I must have given you the wrong imp-“ he started, but grasped her hands just as they started at one of the sword’s buckles.
“Okay, I’m going to go,” he said and gently pushed her away. There was no chilly warning when flows unseen gripped him by the shoulders.
“Hey don't rip those buttons. Whoa!” he said as the flows knocked him off his feet. The sword's hilt jabbed him in the ribs in the fall. He grimaced and tried to twist himself free but she was relentless. She channeled! The flows felt like Saidar, but he felt no recognition of a channeler. How was she doing that?
She started to claw, and Jai seized the One Power. Ready to end this when—
Another voice interrupted.
“Hessalam! Enough!” she said. That time, he did sense a chill just as a woman with bright red hair entered the room. Jai breathed a sigh of relief to find it was Lythia Sedai.
The woman she’d named as Hessalam backed away, but not before Jai’s shirt was half undone and his pants loosened.
“Aes Sedai, this isn’t what it—“ he started but she lifted a hand that he be quiet.
The ugly woman hurried to the Sister’s side, pawing at her sleeve in deference.
“Please let me keep him,” she said through her teeth. Jai blinked.
The woman was banished to the back then, and Jai wasn’t unrelieved to see her go. Her name sounded vaguely Old Tongue, though he couldn’t quite remember the translation.
“You’ll have to excuse her. She’s not all there,” Lythia said, gesturing at her own head with a warped wave of the hand. Jai understood madness, though he’d never encountered such voracious appetites in a woman before. He wasn't sure behavior like that was worth excusing.
“Who is she?” he asked, licking his lips. He had to hold up his own pants with one hand as he climbed to his feet.
“She’s a servant of sorts,” Lythia responded. Why the Tower allowed a channeler like that to walk around?
“Why couldn't I sense her channeling? I should have been able to,"
"That's White Tower business. Never you mind," she responded. He frowned but knew he wasn't going to get any better answer than that.
"I’m here because—“ he started.
“I know why you’re here. Come and tell me everything, Jai. It’s of the utmost importance. The Amyrlin will move quickly against Daryen if we don’t act tonight.” She waved him to follow, though what he found in the back was far more unsettling than a crazy woman hell bent on making him her personal sex toy. And all this time, he thought Trista was the gift. He was glad he wasn’t going to be the next one.
[[Various appearances and dialogue written by me.]]
From the edge of the platform, Jai studied the closest audience members. The High Lord’s dignitaries lined one half. They were done up in every conceivable adornment as Jai had ever seen Seanchan wear. The bug-eyes on one soldier shadowing High Lord Sivikawa locked Jai’s jaw with the kind of tightness that would take a crowbar to open. He remembered the first time he saw the helmets: a mix of fear and hate bubbled up. How many had he seen roll on the ground? Or hollowed out shells when the body within crumbled to ash underfoot. They were the enemy, and yet, here they were with ribbons flowing on tall stakes and lanterns ready to be released in honor.
He tried to reign it in. Really. He tried. For Daryen’s sake. The king was nearby, speaking with a head of the High Council. She was dressed in her finest as well. Everyone treated this like a holiday. A celebration. Jai just folded his arms and waited.
Antony Sadiq was no where to be seen. Since the General’s arrest, rumors of Daryen’s attempted assassination fell to nothing. A new man was raised to replace the rank of commander of the armies, but Jai knew little of him personally. An ignorance he needed to remedy soon. The newly minted General came to stand nearby. Jai nodded. The last thing he’d heard was threats for bringing him down. That he had loyal men who would defend their general’s honor. Jai was sent to make sure they were loyal to the king instead. They were by the time the Asha’man left, and Jai suppresed the remainder of the memories. Another friend that wasn’t a friend. He should start making a list.
With the sounding of horns, High Lord Sivikawa walked on stage. A table had been hauled straight from the palace and placed in center. A law book was laid atop. Jai previously scanned the language within, but couldn’t bring himself to finish to the end. It was Daryen’s voice that peeled Jai’s gaze from the Seanchan bastard.
Threads of Saidin rolled forth. Ready to carry the king’s voice to every ear no matter how out of sight. His brother’s strength was legendary, and Jai knew this was nothing but a glimpse of Daryen’s power. What a weapon he would be.
“Today we celebrate a great leap forward toward peace. I invite the nations of the west to follow the lead of Arad Doman toward greater prosperity,” he said. Jai made himself scan the rooflines while Daryen spoke. He’d already walked them. Made sure that the best eyes were planted. Watching.
“From this day onward, the Seanchan will have free will to start businesses within our borders.”
Jai glanced over his shoulders. Daryen’s entourage were huddled on their side of the stage. Jai was the only Asha’man present in front, but in addition to the General, there was the High Councilwoman, keeper of the laws, and representative from the courts. Strangely, Jai spied no Aes Sedai. Wouldn’t a Gray or at least a Blue want to witness this? What Ajah was Kekura Sedai? Come to think of it, she didn’t say. No Browns. Fate wasn’t here. It was like the absence of the White Tower’s representatives was in itself a silent protest to this treaty. Neither was there anyone of the Black Tower except Jai. Daryen acted on his own in this. Support or no support from either tower. Probably meant nobody was coming to their rescue when this went south.
“They will be allowed to purchase lands and hold rites equivalent to Domani citizens, yet answer to their own government.”
Finally, Jai scanned the crowd. Behind the rows of nobles and the wealthiest of merchants were amassed the normal people. They hung on Daryen’s every word. Delight and pride shone on their faces. They’d elected Daryen their ruler to begin with. Their love elevated Daryen’s power. How he did it was amazing to Jai. As he roamed the faces, planted in the distance was a man he knew. Jai almost smiled. Seems he wasn’t the Black Tower’s only representative after all. Araya’s expression was unreadable, but Jai did not get the impression that the Asha’man was enjoying himself. Near by was the ugly woman from the candle shop. She didn’t seem to know she was next to an Asha’man. Or maybe she did. Even at this distance, her gaze found Jai. It was only for a moment before she watched the stage again, but he had the feeling she had been looking for him as well.
“And all restrictions will be lifted in the exchange of coin. Equal weights. Without taxation. Without hinderance. The Crown will recognize the Seanchan mark and vice versa.”
Both parties signed the treaty with a flourishing quill. All was wrapped up and the book bequeathed to the law master. It all went rather smoothly. Jai squeezed his eyes shut, just long enough to pretend this wasn’t happening, then the gongs and horns fell silent again. When next he looked, the table had been cleared and a figure had joined them on stage.
She was dressed in the red silky gown that he first saw her wear at the celebration during the Hunt. A red so dark that it was almost black. Gold chased up the sleeves like smoke. It brought the darkness of her aura to life much like a smoldering fire. Beguilingly innocent, dangerous to the touch.
Trista held her head low, hair fallen around her shoulders. It was known she was a Gaidar of the Tower. Daryen had introduced her as such the night of her emergence to Domani society. Jai’s breath caught in his throat. She must have been hidden away for him not to have spied her earlier.
“High Lord Sivrikawa, I know you admire the Gaidar. She is an extraordinary design, and it is with admiration for our treaty that I grant her to your company. She is yours.” A gentle nudge on Trista’s back and she glided across the stage as effortlessly as any Aes Sedai. Her rapier was even belted at her waist. She didn’t even seem to care about her destiny.
In return, a chest was carried to the stage. It was heavy just to look at it, but if it was filled with what Jai imagined it to contain, such explained why it took four strong soldiers to lift it up the stairs.
Dilek, the Voice of the High Lord, in all her blind, albino glory gestured on the High Lord’s behalf. When the chest was opened, every manner of gold and jewel gleamed from within. To parade it openly in front of the city was a marvel of confidence in security. The collective gasp was genuine. Even from those in the front row. The Voice scooped a palm of the wealth, letting it fall like sand through her hands. The crowd was utterly silent but for the cascade of riches. Even Jai found himself staring. And for a banker, that meant something.
The chest was probably worth more than the economies of some nations.
“A gift in return. A measure of the fortune Arad Doman will gain from this alliance.”
Then that was it. The treaty was signed and the gifts exchanged. The trunk was carried away by flows of Air straight from Daryen. Trista glanced into the crowd briefly before falling into the shadow of her new master. What, or who, she looked at was lost to Jai. But he had the feeling that it must have been her last glimpse of freedom. He had no idea what became of her after that.
+++
There was a banquet at sunset. These things were always at sunset. But from the palace balconies, sunset over the ocean was a breath taking sight. So Jai understood the timing. He wanted to be there when the trunk was hauled away for deposition into the crown’s coffers, so for once, Jai splintered away from Daryen’s sight. The king traded glances with him when the trunk was lifted to its iron-clad carriage and locked inside.
It was a short ride to the Great Treasury of the king. The fortress was more than a tower. It was surrounded by moats and soldiers. Like some of the great ones in the world, this one held chambers for prisoners of state as much as for the country’s wealth. In this case, the crown’s wealth. Daryen’s House had its own, and the Council of Merchants made sure the two did not intertwine. This belonged to the nation of Arad Doman more than it did Daryen.
The entourage delivered the trunk to the underground treasury. This must represent a fraction of the Seanchan’s enormous wealth. What the Empress owned must be inconceivable. No wonder their war machines were endless.
He’d never entered the treasury room itself before. Never had need. Nor even if he wanted to, would even Jai be granted permission. It was only because he was with Daryen did he see the inside of the tower at all. The One Power hauled the trunk down a long ramp straight into the rock. Crowns. Piles of gold. Pieces of art. Jewels larger than a man’s fist. It made the bank house’s vaults look like a paper box. Of course it should. The economy of a nation’s backing was in this room.
“Do you want me to stay with it?” Jai asked of the king as he pondered the expansion of their wealth. He was tempted to start quantifying the gift. Recording every ounce and carat and estimating its value. But he would prefer to keep an eye on more valuable targets tonight.
“Arad Doman’s treasury has been safe for hundreds of years. I expect it will be fine,” he replied, voice soft and distracted. He lifted the lid and leaned over the top, scooping out some samples of coin and jewels much too alike Dilek had beforehand. Amid the mass was a necklace made of a black metal that Jai did not recognize. Maybe it was some mineral of Seanchan unknown on their shores. The One Power engulfed Daryen as threads probed the surface. Whatever Daryen felt, a thoughtfulness touched his brow that Jai recognized.
“What do you sense, brother?” he asked. But Daryen released the One Power and left the thing alone.
Soon, though, his demeanor changed.
“And besides, we have a banquet to attend,” he added with a grin and clapped Jai on the shoulder. A gateway carried their return to the palace.
+++
The night blurred. The banquet was just like one of a hundred he’d been to in the past. Jai’s heart wasn’t in the revelry. He steered clear of the feast. Just sniffing the dishes made his eyes water. He wasn’t hungry anyway and opted to wait until the festivities died down before searching out his own meal. Dancing didn’t interest him. Not even when some famously sensual Domani propositioned him for a turn on the floor. Oh he didn’t decline. And he was happy to be felt up by wandering hands. But he wasn’t particularly interested in return. He’d hoped to see Araya about, but the other Asha’man had disappeared as much as Trista.
Daryen lived the high life. He even gifted a gold mark of the Empress from the High Lord’s gift to everyone in attendance. It only cost a few hundred. It was a fraction of the value in that trunk.
At the height of the festivities, Jai snuck out. Nobody seemed to notice his absence, and he didn’t intend to be gone all night. He intended to find a card game and a bland meal. But as he roamed the city streets, he knew his destination was southernly directed. He didn’t even think before testing the latch on the candle shop.
He ducked inside.
“Hello?” he said. For a shop full of candles, only one lantern was lit. His heart beat quickened. Though he wasn’t sure what explained the nervousness. Shadows pooled in the corners. Anticipation he decided. He wasn’t even sure what he was doing here. It seemed a poor place for shadowspawn to lurk.
That was when a husky voice beckoned from the shadows. It made him jump, though not so much as to reflexively seize the One Power. It was the woman from earlier. The one that commented on the sword.
“Oh how I wish I had run into you before this…” she waved her hand up and down herself as she rose to her feet. Before what? Did she used to look different? Maybe she was rich once? She stood with the paltry weight of a cat approaching its prey and Jai felt himself tense.
“Excuse me?” Jai asked, recognizing the look in her eye. He was accustomed to women making pretty strong advances. Usually he didn't play hard to get, but in this case, he really didn't want to be gotten.
“Maybe I’m in the wrong place,” he added and glanced at the door. Deciding this was a wrong idea after all. She had no reason to give him anything to be nervous about, but Jai’s discomfort was palpable. She walked with a sensuality that belied the bend in her shoulders, but after a few steps, a trick caught her hip and she stumbled. Jai reached out on instinct, mostly because he didn’t want to see her hurt herself, and also because, well, he wasn’t an asshole.
After she was steadied, he gasped as she pressed into him.
“Uhh,” his eyes were wide as he licked his lips.
“Yeah I think I must have given you the wrong imp-“ he started, but grasped her hands just as they started at one of the sword’s buckles.
“Okay, I’m going to go,” he said and gently pushed her away. There was no chilly warning when flows unseen gripped him by the shoulders.
“Hey don't rip those buttons. Whoa!” he said as the flows knocked him off his feet. The sword's hilt jabbed him in the ribs in the fall. He grimaced and tried to twist himself free but she was relentless. She channeled! The flows felt like Saidar, but he felt no recognition of a channeler. How was she doing that?
She started to claw, and Jai seized the One Power. Ready to end this when—
Another voice interrupted.
“Hessalam! Enough!” she said. That time, he did sense a chill just as a woman with bright red hair entered the room. Jai breathed a sigh of relief to find it was Lythia Sedai.
The woman she’d named as Hessalam backed away, but not before Jai’s shirt was half undone and his pants loosened.
“Aes Sedai, this isn’t what it—“ he started but she lifted a hand that he be quiet.
The ugly woman hurried to the Sister’s side, pawing at her sleeve in deference.
“Please let me keep him,” she said through her teeth. Jai blinked.
The woman was banished to the back then, and Jai wasn’t unrelieved to see her go. Her name sounded vaguely Old Tongue, though he couldn’t quite remember the translation.
“You’ll have to excuse her. She’s not all there,” Lythia said, gesturing at her own head with a warped wave of the hand. Jai understood madness, though he’d never encountered such voracious appetites in a woman before. He wasn't sure behavior like that was worth excusing.
“Who is she?” he asked, licking his lips. He had to hold up his own pants with one hand as he climbed to his feet.
“She’s a servant of sorts,” Lythia responded. Why the Tower allowed a channeler like that to walk around?
“Why couldn't I sense her channeling? I should have been able to,"
"That's White Tower business. Never you mind," she responded. He frowned but knew he wasn't going to get any better answer than that.
"I’m here because—“ he started.
“I know why you’re here. Come and tell me everything, Jai. It’s of the utmost importance. The Amyrlin will move quickly against Daryen if we don’t act tonight.” She waved him to follow, though what he found in the back was far more unsettling than a crazy woman hell bent on making him her personal sex toy. And all this time, he thought Trista was the gift. He was glad he wasn’t going to be the next one.
[[Various appearances and dialogue written by me.]]
Only darkness shows you the light.