A Journey North

[Colette Moreau]

There was no hesitation in Graciela’s answer, only a careful choosing of words, as if each one had been laid out in her mind before the Aes Sedai had even spoken.

“I would be honored to share it, Aes Sedai,” she said softly. “I departed Shienar many months ago. I sought audience in Tar Valon. The journey alone was no small thing—not for a mother, not for one unused to southern customs. It was the farthest I had ever traveled. Before then, I had never set foot outside Shienar.”

She paused, briefly. Misaki stood beside her like a shadow forged in discipline, her young face unreadable but alert.

“The Amyrlin Seat granted me an audience, but the Tower’s resources, as she explained, are stretched thin. There are wars, unrest in the west, and other dire needs. And so,” Graciela said, with a faint breath, “I traveled south. To Caemlyn. I hoped that perhaps Andor might lend strength. It is not often a Borderland lady stands at the Lion Throne. But the Queen received me with grace, and her agreement to send troops, along with Lord Leodon’s own banners, was a gift our people cannot repay.”

She turned then to Leodon, her voice warming a degree. “For that, I owe Lord Leodon a debt greater than I can voice. We have marched long beside one another, and I have come to know the strength of his word.”

Leodon offered a shallow nod, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “It is a rare pleasure to travel with one who still speaks plainly in our world.”

He meant it as a compliment, but before any further reply could be made, the tent flap stirred and Berin ducked inside, brushing a layer of snow from his shoulders. His cheeks were red with cold and a touch of embarrassment.

“My Lord,” he said, addressing Leodon directly. “Forgive me, but I could not find Lady Nicole. She seems… to have vanished.”

Leodon’s brows drew together by a hair’s breadth, but those who knew him would see the thought behind his eyes. Strange. Nicole was never far at this hour. Not without reason. She kept camp hours as precisely as a garrison bell. Always nearby. Always watching.

He gave a quiet “Hmm,” and clasped his hands behind his back.

“Never mind, Berin,” he said at last. “She will turn up.”

That was all he said aloud. But his gaze lingered briefly on the tent’s rear wall, as though it might whisper where she had gone.

Then, with the smoothness of a commander returning to order, he looked to Berin once more. “Ensure that Amelia Sedai and her warder are given a warm tent for the night. See to the bedding yourself. ”

Before the lad could respond, Graciela stepped forward.

“She may have mine, if she pleases,” Graciela said. “It would honor me to host a sister of the Tower. And I believe Misaki and I will sleep quite comfortably elsewhere. We are Borderlanders, after all.”