A Journey North

[Nesrin Aziz]

"Lady Eisheth"

She shared her tent with Nicole, which afforded plenty of privacy given where the woman naturally spent her nights. The Lady Eisheth’s status as both a genteel member of the nobility and a widow meant no one was inclined to disturb her when she retired of an evening. In the quiet and darkness, Lilis made the most of her softly spinning webs. Nicole never stepped into the dream so far as Lilis ever saw, though the ability had nothing to do with her otherwise burned powers. But her dreams were no longer protected as they once were, and unlikely the woman even knew. Fortunately for her, Lilis maintained what Lythia had abandoned when her allegiances were Turned. And so she would continue, for as long as she believed Nicole might be of use to her.

The journey had been largely unremarkable, just tedious in the way of much in this Age. The slow-moving army remained almost completely unaware of the way the world around them was spinning faster. Lilis felt every point of pressure though. She had wanted this time to soften Nicole into true friendship, and inroads had been made to that end, but she was no longer sure she had the time to spare on such subtlety. Whatever had silenced Arikan for many long years was ending; once more, he had begun spreading his dark wings.

Lilis completely avoided the other Chosen and their machinations, in both distaste and fear, but it would only be a matter of time before instruction arrived from the Nae'blis now. Eshamir had ever been obsessed with Asristin, even though both of them wore few faces.

The recent arrival of the Aes Sedai had also been deeply unwelcome. The woman did not announce herself as such of course, at least not at first, but Lilis knew the moment she stepped her little light-fearing feet into the camp what she truly was. None of the Aes Sedai knew how to mask the aura of saidar, not to mention the pure stupidity of each having bound themselves like common criminals: it was writ on their very faces, even when they thought themselves clever by hiding the serpent ring. Lilis considered it little more than the inconvenience of a nosy child at first, then worse when she observed Nicole's quiet reactions both to the infiltration and the woman's name. Amelia Thorne. The former Keeper must have a deep familiarity indeed if she feared being identified, for there had been no shortage of Aes Sedai in Caemlyn's court. Nicole barely resembled the woman she had once been.

It might make worthwhile leverage. Especially if Amelia could be used to push Nicole in a useful direction: to recapture whatever fortitude had once pit her against Arikan, and allowed her to prevail against him. Or perhaps the association would be a thread to be snipped, should Amelia prove the catalyst which might unravel all Lilis's efforts here.

She casually watched Berin leave Leodon's command tent, and Nicole's flight into obscurity. No one paid much attention to her, and her fondness for young Nicole was well known. Eisheth’s friendship was a soft thing, motherly in its aspects at first, but something more akin to a sister in arms now. Lady Eisheth’s noble husband was dead, after all, and she was gently protective of the doomed love story unfolding between here and Shienar.

Lilis moved with gentle persuasion to where Nicole crouched amidst the supply wagons, most unladylike in the snow. Though Nicole's face was presently buried in the lining of her cloak, Lilis's expression was warm as she held out a mittened hand. "Berin has gone," she said softly. "Sweet Nicole, whatever is the matter?"