Stranger in a familiar land

[Helena]

The work for this sitting was done, and Talin had no desire to remain beyond business. As he inspected the glossy pink skin of his feet she stood. He would be mobile now, albeit still weak, and the test of their alliance would truly begin. She considered the ramifications behind the mask of her severe expression, but ultimately this was a risk she had been prepared to take from the beginning. Arikan was calculating. And clearly, given how close he had come to taking the White Tower, he had some talent. But he was also full of emotion. She was never likely to forget the look of him the day she had apparently offended his prideful sensibilities. He meant what he said. She simply had to ensure he continued to need her to accomplish the task.

She considered this second request, which was even more unusual than the first, not least because Accepted Elsae had been the girl attacked in the city. A darkfriend then? Talin did not know, and she did not actually care either, though she considered briefly if it might be something she ought to take to the Mistress of Novices. Manipulating a man she thought could be of value to her cause was one thing, but out and out fraternising with the Shadow was another – or at least it significantly raised the likelihood of getting caught and misrepresented as Black Ajah. For now there were still things she needed to accomplish from within the Tower.

“Black Ajah?” she asked. Her tone was disapproving, though perhaps only because she expected that it should be. The gaps in Arikan’s knowledge suggested a very specific avenue for his having gained it, but she would consider the ramifications of that later. Talin had no real association with Elsae; had not even when they were the same rank. She was too flighty, too vague, and too inclined to bored mischief. But Nythadri was friendly with her. A shame the woman still wasted her time in the rainbow bands. But it made her consider something else: that if Arikan required allies in this venture, perhaps Talin did too.