Stranger in a familiar land

[Adrian Kane]

A noise resembling amusement escaped. Who knew Talin had some wit to her? The quip served to distract him from what was happening with his feet, which soon subsided to his great relief. Not to mention, as he stretched and wiggled his toes, that the stabs of pain had also receded. It took some bending, but he looked upon her work with something approximating being impressed. The skin was pink and plump. The wounds smooth. Though all he showed of his appreciation was an approving nod. It wasn’t as if she’d managed to regrow his toenails. Now that would have been remarkable.

No further question followed her retelling of the prophecy. He gave no whim to the rhyme or reason of foretelling. Darkness knew the Light lived and died by such things. The Seanchan read omens like gossip letters. The Dark Book was filled with portents of things that must happen. For all Arikan saw was contradictions, half-truths and unreliable sources. He understood their power, though. That half the world would bow to them as though millennia-old words could give their lives meaning. He may not believe such nonsense, but he was more than willing to press the sanctity of prophecy to his own ends.

Since they were chatting about her companions in the White Tower, he brought up another name that had been on his mind all these months. “There is another. Do you know an Aes Sedai who goes by the name of Elsae?" The corner of his lip twitched with amusement, "Let's just say that I will require her presence at some point."