Knife of Dreams

Tylee, her shoulders straining a coat like that of the flier, made a straight-legged bow while keeping one eye on A

“I have,” he said worriedly, tossing his cloak down atop one of the brass-banded chests. Tylee sighed. “I told you I would. I’d have done it two days ago if that fool woman in Almizar hadn’t dragged her heels so. What’s happened?”

“Forgive me.” Lini a

“I’ll have some more wine,” Aram a

“He s had enough.” Lini said sharply, and Breane turned away. Lini had a firm hand with Faile’s servants.

Aram muttered an oath and leaped to his feet, tossing his cup down on the flowered carpet that served as a floor. “I might as well go somewhere I won’t have some old woman nagging at me every time I take a drink.” He gave Perrin a sullen glare before stalking out of the tent. Doubtless on his way to Masema’s camp. He had pleaded to be one of the party sent into Maiden, but his hot head could not be trusted with that.

“You can go. Lini.” Berelain said. “Breane can look after us well enough.” A snort was the acknowledgment Lini gave-she made it sound almost delicate-before she stalked out, stiff-backed and reeking of disapproval. And still not looking at Perrin.

“Forgive me. my Lord,” Tylee drawled in careful tones, “but you seem to run your household more… loosely… than I’m accustomed to.”

“It’s our way, Ba

“I sent raken out scouting as far as they could go just before dawn, and again just after sunset. One of the fliers tonight turned back sooner than expected. She saw seven thousand Children of the Light on the move not fifty miles from my camp.”

“On the move toward you?” Perrin frowned at his wine instead of drinking. “Seven thousand seems a very exact count to make in the dark.’’

“It seems these men, they are deserters,” A

Tylee’s hand twitched as if it wanted to make one of those signs against evil. “That’s a fair summing up,” she said. To Perrin, not A

“I take it they’re not moving toward you, or you’d have said.’ Perrin put a hint of question into that, though there was no question in his mind.

“North,” Tylee answered. “They’re heading north.” Balwer half opened his mouth again, then shut it with a click of teeth.

“If you have advice,” Perrin told him. “then give it. But I don’t care how many Whitecloaks desert the Seanchan. Faile is the only thing I care about. And I don’t think the Ba

“I will not,” Tylee said firmly. “I think I’ll take some wine after all.” Breane took a deep breath before moving to comply, and a hint of fear entered her scent. Apparently the tall dark woman intimidated her.

“I won’t deny I would enjoy a chance to strike a blow at the White-cloaks,” Balwer said in that dry-as-dust voice, “but in truth. I feel I owe this Galad Damodred a debt of gratitude.” Perhaps his grudge was against this Valda personally. “In any case, you have no need of my advice here. Events are in motion in Maiden, and if they weren’t. I doubt you’d hold back even a day. Nor would I have advised it, my Lord. If I may be so bold. I am quite fond of the Lady Faile.”

“You may,” Perrin told him. “Ba

The Seanchan took the proffered winecup from Breane and looked at him so levelly it was clear she was avoiding a glance at the others in the tent. “May we speak alone?” she asked quietly.

Berelain glided across the carpet to rest a hand on his arm and smile up at him. “A

“You can stay,” he said. “Whatever you have to say, Ba

Tylee hesitated, glancing at A

Suddenly, everything seemed to ripple in Perrin’s sight. He felt himself ripple. Breane gave a cry and dropped the pitcher. The world rippled again, and Berelain clutched his arm. Tylee’s hand seemed frozen in that odd gesture, thumb and forefinger forming a crescent. Everything rippled for a third time, and Perrin felt as if he were made of fog, as if the world were fog with a high wind coming. Berelain shuddered, and he put a comforting arm around her. She clung to him, trembling. Silence and the scent of fear filled the tent. He could hear voices being raised outside, and they sounded afraid, too.