Consorting with Enemies

[Natalie Grey]

Nythadri

“You’re enjoying the insight,” she said. Amusement touched the accusation, and she regarded his scrutiny with a smirk, but truth was it was welcomed. His narration felt like discovery of a new intimacy rather than an interruption, and Nythadri found herself curious at how easily he grappled with what the bond revealed. Meanwhile he took care of the wards; expertise she was glad for – not that it had even occurred to her to ask him. She did not truly think the danger was imminent, but it loosened at least a little relief to have that barrier. Though it also allowed her room to acknowledge she was bone-tired. Her eyes closed for a moment. She thought of how he’d held her in the ocean; like he’d battle the waves themselves away if he could.

She ate because she was hungry and she needed to, drifting into a quiet place that was as much respite as seriousness, and completely at ease in his presence and the muss of their blankets. Mostly she tried to organise the things she needed to say in her head. Though Jai’s tease did not go unrewarded, and she did not stray too far into herself. Her sense of him actually felt more steady than she might have imagined, else it had simply settled in her a fear that had been knotting up since her Raising; one that's weight had gone unrealised until the burden suddenly lifted. They couldn't account for what might happen tomorrow, but it was a promise they would face it together.

As such it wasn’t eagerness to speak he felt in her, more like necessity. But she didn’t correct him and he was right about the urgency. Truth was the burden of knowledge sat surprisingly uneasy in her, and she would be glad to lay it down and accept however he reacted to it; not because it was too heavy to bear alone, but because of the trust that had always been between them. She didn't like the feeling of them being unequal, or that he might simply accept the things she did and did not choose to tell him. Right now her fingers were bare, but she felt the cage of the Ring nonetheless; a title and responsibility Jai might always cast in suspicion and respect. Though that was a concern for another time.

She didn’t comment on the flood of strength, though she did look at him as he propped himself on the pillow. It was a sly look despite the smile that met his smug bargain, both curious and thoughtful. But that was a question for another time too, and for now she only shifted to get comfortable.

“I didn’t leave the Tower, I was forced through a gateway,” she finally said, utterly blunt. It was the same manner in which she'd once told him about Tashir; imparting facts not feeling. How she came to be here was the first and probably least of what he needed to know, so she kept it brief.

“It belonged to the Yellow Sister you asked about before: Talin. She made it in haste on Tower grounds, some plan gone awry, though I still don’t know exactly what or how – Light knows it was the least of my problems at the time. It must have looked at least a little awkward, because another woman followed us through, though I’m certain Talin tried to prevent it. Eleanore Aramorgran, a soldier, travelled south after escorting a Brown through the Blight apparently.” She glanced at Jai to see if the name sparked recognition, but only because she knew Elly was originally from Kandor. Not that it wasn’t a large nation, but it was literally all she did know given the brevity of their acquaintance.

“There were horses waiting on the other side. The warder with them pulled a blade, and Talin was as panicked as I’ve ever seen her at the unknown woman in our midst, insisting on a need for loyalty and secrecy. The warder didn't sheathe his weapon, and I did what had to be done in the moment. She consented first, Jai; it wasn’t like that, though hardly an oath she must have wanted to give to a stranger. I offered to release her as soon as I was able. It only offended the light-blasted woman, though. We travelled by horseback for several days. Met with an Asha’man who made the Gate to the fort where we are now. I don’t know his name – Illianer by his accent. It sounded like he owed Talin a favour.”

She paused then, though only to frame her thoughts.

“You should know that Talin sees the world through a niche perspective. Good and bad are weighted by consequence not morality. She told me she believes the Tower is weak; that we are crumbling beneath petty politics, a weak Amyrlin, and the mere illusion of power. She says the Breaking never stopped, that we are still broken, and the Aes Sedai will do nothing to fix it. That we will not do what needs to be done.”

Jai was born and bred in Tar Valon. In the city that blossomed beneath the Tower’s tall shadow, words such as Nythadri shared so casually now were sacrilege. Let alone to speak them as an Aes Sedai. The Tower as an institution was beyond reproach, and even the Black Tower stepped lightly to its tune, whether they willed it or not. Nythadri did not offer her own opinion, though tonight’s events cast it entirely anew. But it wasn’t why she gave Jai the context. With the strength shared, saidar flowed effortlessly when she embraced. Tendrils of air coaxed the papers she had left on the side. She handed them to him to flick through. Medical records and notes, some unpleasant diagrams included. And the cryptic message Talin had left at the back – an indication of where she had gone, and more importantly why.

“She brought me here to meet a patient. This patient,” she said. “No one should have survived that kind of torture. They have a pact, this man and Talin. To clear the path for the Dragon and usher in the Last Battle. But there are things he has asked for in return.”

She waited for Jai to finish scanning, and to begin to compose his thoughts, before she spoke again. Her expression was level, pale eyes steady as a mountain in a storm. Not that she was unfeeling, but she'd had time to confront the mess she was in. There were no easy answers, but Nythadri had never been weak. She did not skirt around the truth when they finally came to it.

“He hardly looks like the man who almost brought the Tower to its knees, but I don’t know that I could ever forget that light-forsaken face.” Something tightened inside; some heinous memory she didn’t pause to indulge, only folded tightly away; the only time she wavered. “He speaks as if his service to the Shadow is in the past, which shouldn’t even be possible. But I couldn’t think of anyone else to turn to when I found you at the Tower. Not and keep you safe. So I took the risk of asking for his help. I thought he might know how to undo the Compulsion, but when he saw you he said it was too intricate to risk unravelling. That the only way was to fulfil it.

“He could have let you do it. He could have made me do it. But he didn’t; he did it himself, Jai. I would hardly call him lightsworn, and I don’t trust him, not even a little, but I do think he’s telling the truth about his intentions.

He is going to hunt down the Forsaken.”

Nythadri would ensure it.