The Point of No Return

[Kemala]

Kekura Sedai

Sitter of the Red Ajah

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The Asha’man was well-spoken. Kekura had arranged for this private audience with the two remaining Sitters whose vote she had not yet assured in an effort to avoid an audience with the full Hall of the Tower. Now, however, she seemed her conservative efforts may have been unnecessary. She would not course-correct otherwise if given the chance to do it all again. The Asha’man’s volatility was uncertain, and she had no idea how strong the grip of madness might have had on him, if it did at all. Perhaps she had misjudged him at Moiridrosin, being gripped instead with grief rather than instability. He did well. Kekura could not have arranged a better testimony than if she had tutored him herself. Lythia’s promises came through, then. All the better for the Green that they did.

A look was shared with the Brown and Yellow Sitters. They had fallen quiet and contemplative. Roalane was the most inquisitive, something quite natural to the Gray. Esenya was reserved, also consistent with her personality. However knowing what Kekura did of them, she interpreted their quietude as conclusion. She stood.

“Thank you, Asha’man. Your service is acknowledged.” Kekura shared little company with men of the Black Tower, excluding Lennox. Even her own offspring was an Asha’man, but twenty years passing as dead in the eyes of her son, she had no relationship with Tayigi as a full grown man. However many faults she found with the Black Tower, she did recognize their efforts at the Blight Border, but given the Dragon’s ignoring the Seanchan threat, she would rather see them pitted against the likes of sul’dam and damane as well. But where the Dragon dragged his feet, the White Tower wouldn’t stand for it. Not if Kekura had her way.

She showed Jai to the door where a flank of servants awaited. “Allow someone to show you the way to the traveling yards,” she explained.

After he had gone, Kekura turned back, waiting to hear Reloane and Esenya declare their allegiance to the cause. Shortly after, Kekura beckoned them to come and she called a meeting of the Hall. The Sitters were already assembled by the time they arrived.