She shook her head, watching a group of people trudge past on the muddy street outside. She had been one of those, at first, who had called the deaths the work of an Asha’man gone mad. Now she accepted these events, and other oddities, as something far worse.
The world was unraveling.
She needed to be strong. Pevara herself had devised the plan of bringing women here to bond these men, though Tarna had suggested it. She couldn’t let them discover how disturbing she found it to be trapped in here, facing down enemies who could force a person to the Shadow. Her only allies men who, only months ago, she would have pursued with diligence and gentled without remorse.
She sat down on the stool Emarin had used earlier. "I would like to discuss this ‘plan’ you are developing".
"I’m not sure I’ve actually developed one yet, Aes Sedai".
"I might be able to offer some suggestions".
"I wouldn’t say no to hearing them", Androl said, though he narrowed his eyes.
"What’s wrong?" she asked.
"Those people outside. I don’t recognize them. And . . ".
She looked back out the window. The only light came from buildings, shining an occasional red-orange glow into the drenched night. The passersby still moved very slowly down the street, in and out of the light of windows.
"Their clothing isn’t wet", Androl whispered.
With a chill, Pevara realized he was right. The man at the front walked with a wide-brimmed, drooping hat on his head, but it didn’t break the rain or stream water. His rustic clothing was untouched by the downpour. And the dress of the woman beside him wasn’t blowing at all in the wind. Now Pevara saw that one of the younger men was holding his hand behind him, as if pulling the reins of a pack animal—but there was no animal there.
Pevara and Androl watched in silence until the figures passed too far into the night to be seen. Visions of the dead were growing increasingly common.
"You said you had a suggestion?" Androl’s voice trembled.
"I . . . Yes". Pevara tore her eyes away from the window. "So far, Taim’s focus has been on the Aes Sedai. My sisters have all been taken. I am the last".
"You’re offering yourself as bait".
"They will come for me", she said. "It is only a matter of time".
Androl fingered the leather strap and looked pleased with it. "We should sneak you out".
"Is that so?" she said, eyebrow raised. "I have been elevated to the position of maiden in need of rescue, have I? Very valiant of you".
He blushed. "Sarcasm? From an Aes Sedai? I wouldn’t have thought I’d hear that".
Pevara laughed. "Oh my, Androl. You really don’t know anything about us, do you?"
"Honestly? No. I’ve avoided your kind for most of my life".
"Well, considering your . . . innate tendencies, perhaps that was wise".
"I couldn’t channel before".
"But you suspected. You came here to learn".
"I was curious", he said. "It’s something I hadn’t tried before".
Interesting, Pevara thought. Is that what drives you then, leatherworker? What has set you drifting on the winds, from place to place?
"I suspect", she said, "you have never tried jumping off a cliff before. The fact that you haven’t done something shouldn’t always be a reason to try it".
"Actually, I have jumped off a cliff. Several of them".
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"The Sea Folk do it", he explained. "Off into the ocean. The braver you are, the higher the cliff you choose. And you have changed the topic of the conversation again, Pevara Sedai. You are quite skilled at that".
"Thank you".
"The reason", he said, holding up a finger, "that I suggested we sneak you out is because this isn’t your battle. You shouldn’t have to fall here".
"It isn’t because you want to hurry an Aes Sedai away, out of meddling in your business?"
"I came to you for help", Androl said. "I don’t want to be rid of you; I’ll happily use you. However, if you fall here, you do so in a fight that is not your own. That isn’t fair".
"Let me explain something to you, Asha’man", Pevara said, leaning in. "This is my fight. If the Shadow takes this tower, it will mean terrible things for the Last Battle. I have accepted responsibility for you and yours; I will not turn away from it so easily".
"You’ve accepted responsibility’ for us? What does that mean?"
Ah, perhaps I shouldn’t have shared that. Still, if they were going to be allies, perhaps he needed to know.
"The Black Tower needs guidance", she explained.
"So that’s the point of bonding us?" Androl asked. "So we can be . . . corralled, like stallions to be broken?"
"Don’t be a fool. Surely you admit the value of the White Tower’s experience".
"I’m not sure I’d say that", Androl said. "With experience comes a determination to be set in your ways, to avoid new experiences. You Aes Sedai all assume that the way things have been done is the only way to do them. Well, the Black Tower will not be subject to you. We can look after ourselves".
"And you’ve done a wonderful job of that so far, haven’t you?"
"That was unfair", he said softly.
"Perhaps it was", she admitted. "I’m sorry".
"Your motivations don’t surprise me", he said. "What you were doing here was obvious to the weakest of soldiers. The question I’ve had is this: Why, of all women, did the White Tower send Red sisters to bond us?"
"Who better? Our entire lives have been dedicated to dealing with men who can channel".
"Your Ajah is doomed".
"Is that so?"
"You exist to hunt down men who can channel", he said. "To gentle them. See them . . . disposed of. Well, the Source is cleansed—"
"So you all say".
"It is cleansed, Pevara. All things come and pass, and the Wheel turns. It was once pure, so it must someday be pure again. It has happened".
And the way you look at shadows, Androl? Is that a sign of purity? The way that Nalaam mutters in unknown languages? Do you think we don't notice such things?
"You have two choices, as an Ajah", Androl continued. "You can either continue to hunt us—ignoring the proof that we offer, that the Source is cleansed—or you can give up on being Red Ajah".
"Nonsense. Of all Ajahs, the Reds should be your greatest ally".
"You exist to destroy us!"
"We exist to make certain that men who can channel do not accidentally hurt themselves or those around them. Would you not agree that is a purpose of the Black Tower as well?"
"I suppose that might be part of it. The only purpose I have been told was that we are to be a weapon for the Dragon Reborn, but keeping good men from hurting themselves without proper training is important as well".
"Then we can unite on that idea, can we not?"
"I would like to believe that, Pevara, but I’ve seen the way you and yours look at us. You see us as . . . as some stain that needs to be cleansed, or poison to be bottled".
Pevara shook her head. "If what you say is true, and the Source is cleansed, then changes will come, Androl. The Red Ajah and the Asha’man will grow together in common purpose, over time. I’m willing to work with you now, here".
"Contain us".
"Guide you. Please. Trust me".
He studied her by the light of the room’s many lamps. He did have a sincere face. She could see why the others followed him, though he was weakest among them. He had a strange mixture of passion and humility. If only he hadn’t been one of. . . well . . . what he was.
"I wish I could believe you", Androl said, looking away. "You’re different from the others, I’ll admit. Not like a Red at all".
"I think you’ll find we’re more varied than you suppose", Pevara said. "There isn’t one single motive that makes a woman choose the Red".
"Other than hatred of men".
"If we hated you, would we have come here looking to bond you?" That was a sidestep, in truth. Though Pevara herself did not hate men, many Reds did—at the very least, many regarded men with suspicion. She hoped to change that.
"Aes Sedai motivations are odd sometimes", Androl said. "Everyone knows that. Anyway, different though you are from many of your sisters, I’ve seen that look in your eyes". He shook his head. "I won’t believe you’re here to help us. No more than I believed that the Aes Sedai who hunted down male channelers really thought they were helping the men. No more than I believe a headsman thinks he’s doing a criminal a favor by killing him. Just because a thing needs to be done doesn’t make the one doing it a friend, Pevara Sedai. I’m sorry".
He turned back to his leather, working by the close light of a lantern on the table.
Pevara found her annoyance rising. She’d almost had him. She liked men; she had often thought Warders would be useful. Couldn’t the fool recognize a hand extended across the chasm when he saw it?
Calm yourself, Pevara, she thought. You won’t get anywhere if anger rules you. She needed this man on her side.
"That will be a saddle, won’t it?" she said.
"Yes".
"You’re staggering the stitches".
"It’s my own method", he said. "Helps prevent rips from spreading. I think it looks nice, too".
"Good linen thread, I assume? Waxed? And do you use a single lacing chisel for those holes, or a double? I didn’t get a good look".
He glanced at her, wary. "You know leatherworking?"
"From my uncle", she said. "He taught me a few things. Let me work in the shop, when I was little".
"Maybe I’ve met him".
She fell still. For all Androl’s comments that she was good at steering a conversation, she had blundered this one directly into places she didn’t like to go.
"Well?" he asked. "Where does he live?"
"Back in Kandor".
"You’re Kandori" he asked, surprised.
"Of course I am. Don’t I look it?"
"I just thought I could pick out any accent", he said, pulling a pair of stitches tight. "I’ve been there. Maybe I do know your uncle".
"He’s dead", she said. "Murdered by Darkfriends".
Androl fell silent. "I’m sorry".
"It’s been over a hundred years now. I miss my family, but they’d be dead by now even if the Darkfriends hadn’t killed them. Everyone I knew back home is dead".
"My sorrow is deeper, then. Truly".
"It is long past", Pevara said. "I can remember them with fondness without having the pain intrude. But what of your family? Siblings? Nieces, nephews?"