Stranger in a familiar land

[Helena]

Talin Sedai

There was much to do.

The city wasn’t ideal, but her choices in that regard were limited, and haste pushed her hand after the impulsive barn burning. She had no way of knowing whom the beacon of Arikan's power might summon to investigate, Light-aligned or Dark. Either would serve an unnecessary complication. But even if none were close enough to feel the massive current of saidin, the farm’s occupants could no longer be trusted for discretion. In one fit of tantrum Arikan sent their livelihood up in flames. It was a snarl that had needed careful smoothing, and she had found it an unaccountably disagreeable nuisance. They were lucky to be alive, but of course she could not reveal to them their good fortune; they still did not know what they had been harbouring.

In any case, perhaps waking to sight of the Stone might ensure Arikan did not forget the declarations made on that farm. Such was the message she intended anyway. His vows were the kind that would humble a smaller man, yet he had spoken in the heat of terrible power, and she had witnessed the venom in him for herself untold times before that moment. She reasoned the motivation was truly there even if he utterly lacked the resources. He could barely stand, and she could not force his body to heal faster than nature’s rule, but neither would she repeat the mistake of pointing out his current frailty. Mortality itself should have been sobering. But if fury fed his recovery she would not complain.

Just so long as it was a fury he did not aim at her again.

Whatever betrayal had transpired to ignite such vengeance in Arikan since the Battle at the Shining Walls, Talin vowed she would make use of it. What assets he needed, she would supply however questionable. She did not care what methods he employed, though neither did she care for direct involvement. The line she crossed now was irreparable in the eyes of the White Tower, but she had no stomach nor interest in violence such as might conjure from the imaginings of a darkfriend. She had in fact considered the question carefully before making that decision. As for the line itself, in the long run it would not matter; she would make sure of it.

So, while Arikan suffered the consequences of his actions, Talin had returned briefly to the Tower. Kaori remained in Tar Valon for now, with errands to complete of his own. The dreadlord himself might believe Talin’s interests began and ended at his literal feet, but her machinations spanned a far wider reach. She had less time to pull all the necessary threads than she would like – both those that peered forward into the ushering of a new Age, and those of more immediate concern. For as Arikan would need resources, so too would she. At the moment he was still somewhat reliant. It would not always be the case. Mutual understanding was not the same thing as trust.

She was a little aggrieved to discover he was awake upon her return. His outburst required a recalibration in the way she handled his pride; moreso now her intentions surpassed the moment the Healing finished its work. She did not fear death at his hands, but it was the least she imagined of his capabilities when pushed. A few empty dishes suggested he had least been fed, and light send it improved his mood somewhat, for the innkeeper downstairs had been most flustered by the recalcitrant nobleman in his charge. Or such as he imagined Arikan must be by his manner, despite all appearances to the contrary. Talin did not care how he treated the people here, but she would not be best pleased with another reason for flight.

Her attention was wary as she closed the door. Fear would not interfere with her plans, of course, but she considered that he might be satisfied to glimpse it in her. It was true enough.

“Forsaken,” she told him firmly. “Not “chosen”.” A satchel eased from her shoulders to rest on the ladder-backed chair. Since he had been inconveniently unconscious, she had been forced to rely on the memory of his questioning to gather what additional maps she could. “Tell me what else you will need,” she said. Her hands laced, her gaze releasing from his. She did not like to meet his gaze for long, though in this case it was to indicate his body beneath the blankets. "And then grant me your consent, so we might continue."