Her Delving found nothing. No life, no sense that he had ever alive. His body wasn't even flesh. With a sinking feeling, she Delved other people in the darkened room. A serving maid carrying breakfast towari three Andoran merchants. A corpulent innkeeper, who must have had trouble navigating between the close-set tables. A woman in a rich dre$ sitting in the very back of the room, primly reading a small book.
There was no life in any of them. These weren't corpses; they were husks. Fingers trembling, Nynaeve reached out and brushed the shoulder of the man at the high table. He immediately fell to powder, dust showering downward in a puff. The chair and floorboards underneath did not dissolve.
"There is nobody here to save," Nynaeve said.
"Poor people," Naeff said. "Light shelter their souls."
Nynaeve often had trouble feeling pity for the Tairen nobles—-of all the people she had met, they seemed among the most arrogant. But nobody deserved this. Besides, a large number of commoners had been caught in this bubble as well.
She and Naeff made their way out of the building, Nynaeve's frustration mounting as she tugged on her braid. She hated feeling helpless. Like with the poor guard who had started the fire back at the manor house in Arad Doman, or the people who were struck down by strange diseases. The dusty husks this day. What was the good of learning to Heal if she couldn't help people?
And now she had to leave. Go back to the White Tower. It felt like running away. She turned to Naeff. "Wind," she said.
"Nynaeve Sedai?"
"Give the building a gust of wind, Naeff," she said. "I want to see what happens."
The Asha'man did as she asked, his invisible weaves blowing a jet of air. The entire building burst, shattering into dust that blew away, like the white seeds of a dandelion. Naeff turned to her.
"How wide did they say this bubble was?" she asked.
"About two streets wide in all directions."
"We need more wind," she said, beginning a weave. "Create a gust as large as you can. If there is anyone wounded in here, we'll find them this way."
Naeff nodded. The two of them strode forward, creating wind. They shattered buildings, causing them to burst and fall. Naeff was far more skilled at the process than she, but Nynaeve was stronger in the One Power. Together, they swept the crumbling buildings, stones and husks before them in a dust storm.
It was exhausting work, but they kept at it. She hoped—against
reason -__that she might find someone to help. Buildings fell before her and
Naeff, the dust caught in swirling air. They pushed the dust in a circle moving inward. Like a woman sweeping the floor.
They passed people frozen on the streets in midstride. Oxen pulling a cart. Heart-wrenchingly, some children playing in an alley. All fell to dust.
They found nobody alive. Eventually, she and Naeff had dissolved all
f the broken part of the city and blown the dust into the center. Nynaeve
looked at it, kept swirling in place by a small cyclone Naeff had woven.
Curious, Nynaeve channeled a tongue of Fire into the cyclone, and the dust
caught alight.
Nynaeve gasped; that dust went up like dried paper thrown into a fire, creating a roaring tempest of flames. She and Naeff backed away, but it was over in a flash. It didn't leave any ash behind.
If we hadn't gathered it, she thought, watching the fire fade away, someone might have dropped a candle on it. A fire like that. . .
Naeff stilled his winds. The two of them stood in the center of an open circle of bare earth with periodic holes for cellars. On the edges, buildings had been sliced into, rooms open to the air, some structures having collapsed. It was eerie, to see this hollow area. Like a gouged-out eye socket in an otherwise healthy face.
Several groups of Defenders stood at the perimeter. She nodded to Naeff, and they walked to the largest group. "You didn't find anyone?" she demanded.
"No, Lady Aes Sedai," a man said. "Er . . . well, we did find a few, but they were dead already."
Another man nodded, a barrel-like fellow whose uniform was very tight. "Seems anyone who had even a toe inside of that ring fell dead. Found a few of them missing only a foot or part of their arm. But they were dead anyway." The man shuddered visibly.
Nynaeve closed her eyes. The entire world was falling apart, and she was powerless to Heal it. She felt sick and angry.
Maybe they caused it," Naeff said softly. She opened her eyes to see him nodding toward the shadows of a building nearby. "The Fades. There are three of them there, Nynaeve Sedai, watching us."
Naeff. . ." she said, frustrated. Telling him the Fades weren't real didn't help. I have to do something, she thought. Help someone. "Naeff, stand still. She took hold of his arm and Delved him. He looked at her, surprised, but didn't object.
She could see the madness, like a dark network of veins digging into his mind. It seemed to pulse, like a small beating heart. She'd found similar corruption recently in other Asha'man. Her skill with Delving was improv-ing, her weaves more refined, and she could find things once hidden to her She had no idea how to fix what was wrong, though.
Anything should be Healable, she told herself. Anything but death itself. She concentrated, weaving all Five Powers, and carefully prodded at the mad-ness, remembering what had happened when she'd removed the Compulsion from Graendal's unfortunate servant. Naeff was better off with this madness than he would be if she damaged his mind further.
Oddly, the darkness did seem similar to Compulsion. Was that what the taint had done? Bent the men who used the One Power with the Dark One's own Compulsion?
She carefully wove a counterweave opposite the madness, then laid it over Naeff's mind. The weave just faded away, doing nothing.
She gritted her teeth. That should have worked. But, as seemed so common lately, it had failed.
No, she thought. No, I can't just sit back. She Delved deeper. The darkness had tiny, thornlike projections stuck into Naeff's mind. She ignored the people gathering around her, and inspected those thorns. She carefully used weaves of Spirit to pry one free.
It came out with some resistance, and she quickly Healed the spot where it had punctured Naeff's flesh. The brain seemed to pulse, looking more healthy. One by one, she pried the others free. She was forced to maintain her weaves, holding the barbs back, lest they plunge down again. She began to sweat. She was already tired from sweeping the area clean, and no longer could spare concentration to keep the heat off her. Tear was so muggy.
She continued working, preparing another counterweave. Once she had pried up each and every thorn, she released her new weave. The dark patch undulated and shook, like something alive.
Then it vanished.
Nynaeve stumbled back, drained near to exhaustion. Naeff blinked, then looked around. He raised a hand to his head.
Light! she thought. Did I hurt him? I shouldn't have barreled into that. I could have—
"They're gone," Naeff said. "The Fades ... I can't see them anymore. He blinked. "Why would Fades be hiding in the shadows anyway? If I could see them, they'd have killed me, and—" He looked at her, focusing-"What did you do?"
"I... I think I just Healed your madness." Well, she'd done some-
thing to it. What she'd done hadn't been any standard Healing, and hadn't
even used Healing weaves. But it had worked, it seemed.
Naeff smiled deeply, seeming bewildered. He took her hand with both of
his then knelt before her, growing teary-eyed. "For months, I have felt as if
I were always being watched. As if I would be murdered the moment I turned
back on the shadows. Now I. . . Thank you. I need to go find Nelavaire."
"Off with you, then," Nynaeve said. Naeff left her in a dash, running
back toward the Stone to search out his Aes Sedai.
I can't let myself begin to think that nothing I do matters. That's what the Dark One wants. As she watched Naeff hasten away, she not
iced that the clouds above were breaking. Rand had returned.
Workers began clearing away the rubble of buildings that had half turned to dust, and Nynaeve ended up speaking soothingly to the worried Tairens who began to cluster around the perimeter. She didn't want there to be a panic; she assured everyone that the danger was past, and then she asked to meet with any families who had lost someone.
She was still doing this—talking softly with a thin, worried woman— when Rand found her. The woman was a commoner, wearing a high-necked dress with three aprons and a straw hat. Her husband had worked in the inn Nynaeve had entered. The woman kept glancing at the hole in the ground that had been the cellar.
After a moment, Nynaeve noticed Rand, watching her and standing with his arms behind his back, hand clasping his stump. Two Maidens guarded him, a pair of women named Somma and Kanara. Nynaeve finished speaking with the Tairen, but the woman's tearful eyes wrenched her heart. How would she react, if she lost Lan?
Light protect him. Please, please protect him, she prayed. She unhooked her coin pouch and sent the woman off with it. Perhaps that would help. Rand stepped up to Nynaeve. "You care for my people. Thank you." I care for any who need it," Nynaeve said.
As you've always done," Rand said. "Along with caring for some who don't need it."
Like you?" she said, raising an eyebrow. No, I've always needed it. That and more."
Nynaeve hesitated. That wasn't something she'd ever expected him to admit. Why hadn't he gotten rid of that old cloak? It was faded and dull. This is my fault," Rand said, nodding toward the hole in the city. Rand, don't be a fool."
"I don't know if anyone can avoid being a fool at times," he said " blame myself because of my delays. We've been putting off the confront tion with him for too long. What happened here today? The buildin» turned to dust?"
"Yes," Nynaeve said. "Their substance was removed. Everything crum-bled the moment we touched it."
"He would do this to the entire world," Rand said, his voice growing
soft. "He stirs. The longer we wait—holding on by our fingernails__the
more he destroys what remains. We can delay no longer."
Nynaeve frowned. "But Rand, if you let him free, won't that make it even worse?"
"Perhaps for a short burst," Rand said. "Opening the Bore will not free him immediately, though it will give him more strength. It must be done regardless. Think of our task as climbing a tall stone wall. Unfortunately, we are delaying, running laps before attempting the climb. Each step tires us for the fight to come. We must face him while still strong. That is why I must break the seals."
"I . . ." Nynaeve said. "I think I actually believe you." She was surprised to realize it.
"Do you, Nynaeve?" he asked, sounding oddly relieved. "Do you really?"
"I do."
"Then try to convince Egwene. She will stop me, if she can."
"Rand . . . she has called me back to the Tower. I'll need to go today."
Rand looked saddened. "Well, I suspected that she might do that eventually." He took Nynaeve by the shoulder in an odd gesture. "Don't let them ruin you, Nynaeve. They'll try."
"Ruin me?"
"Your passion is part of you," Rand said. "I tried to be like them, though I wouldn't have admitted it. Cold. Always in control. It nearly destroyed me. That is strength to some, but it is not the only type of strength. Perhaps you could learn to control yourself a little more, but I like you as you are. It makes you genuine. I would not see you become another 'perfect' Aes Sedai with a painted mask of a face and no care for the feelings and emotions of others."
"To be Aes Sedai is to be calm," Nynaeve replied.
"To be Aes Sedai is to be what you decide it is," Rand said, his stump still held behind his back. "Moiraine cared. You could see it in her, even when she was calm. The best Aes Sedai I've known are the ones who other complain aren't what an Aes Sedai should be."
Nynaeve found herself nodding, then was annoyed at herself. She was taking advice from Rand alThor?
There was something different about Rand now. Quiet intensity and careful words. He was a man you could take advice from without feeling he
speaking down to you. Like his father, actually. Not that she'd ever admit that to either one of them.
"Go to Egwene," Rand said, releasing her shoulder. "But when you can, I would like it very much if you returned to me. I will need your counsel gain. At the very least, I would like you by my side as I go to Shayol Ghul. I cannot defeat him with saidin alone, and if we are going to use Cal-landor, I will need two women I trust in the circle with me. I have not decided upon the other. Aviendha or Elayne, perhaps. But you for certain."
"I will be there, Rand." She felt oddly proud. "Hold still for a moment. I won't hurt you. I promise."
He raised an eyebrow, but did nothing as she Delved him. She was so tired, but if she was going to leave him, she needed to take this opportunity to Heal his madness. It seemed, suddenly, the most important thing she could do for him. And for the world.
She Delved, staying away from the wounds at his side, which were pits of darkness that seemed to try to suck in her energy. She kept her attention on his mind. Where was the—
She stiffened. The darkness was enormous, covering the entirety of his mind. Thousands upon thousands of the tiny black thorns pricked into his brain, but beneath them was a brilliant white lacing of something. A white radiance, like liquid Power. Light given form and life. She gasped. It coated each of the dark tines, driving into his mind alongside them. What did it mean?
She didn't have any idea how to begin working on this. There were so many barbs. How could he even think with that much darkness pressing against his brain? And what had created the whiteness? She'd Healed Rand before, and hadn't noticed it then. Of course, she'd never seen the darkness until recently. Her practice with Delving was likely the reason. She reluctantly withdrew. "I'm sorry," she said. "I can't Heal you." Many have tried on those wounds—you yourself included. They are simply unhealable. I don't think on them much, these days."
"Not the wounds in your side," Nynaeve said. "The madness. I . . ." You can Heal madness?" "I think I did so in Naeff."
Rand grinned widely. "You never cease to . . . Nynaeve, do you realize
that the most Talented of Healers during the Age of Legends had difficulty with diseases of the mind? Many believed it was not possible to Heal mad-ness with the One Power."
"I'll Heal the others," she said. "Narishma, Flinn at the least, befor go. All of the Asha'man probably have at least a hint of this taint upon their minds. I don't know if I'll be able to get to the Black Tower." Or if I want to go there.
"Thank you," Rand said, looking northward. "But no, you shouldn't go to the Black Tower. I will need to send someone there, but it will be handled carefully. Something's happening with them. But I have so much to do
He shook his head, then looked to her. "That is one pit I cannot cross at the moment. Speak well of me to Egwene. I need her to be an ally."
Nynaeve nodded, then—feeling foolish—gave him a hug before hurrying off to seek out Narishma and Flinn. A hug. For the Dragon Reborn. She was turning as silly as Elayne. She shook her head, thinking that perhaps some time in the White Tower would help her regain her levelheadedness.
The clouds had returned.
Egwene stood at the very apex of the White Tower, on the flat, circular roof, holding to the waist-high wall. Like a creeping fungus—like insects in a swarm—the clouds had closed up above Tar Valon. The sunlights visit had been Welcome, but brief.
The tea was back to tasting stale again. The grain stores they'd discovered were running out, and the next sacks to come in had been filled with weevils. The Land is One with the Dragon.
She breathed in, smelling the new air, looking out over Tar Valon. Her Tar Valon.
Saerin, Yukiri and Seaine—three of the sisters who had been the original hunters for the Black Ajah in the Tower—waited patiently behind her. They were a
mong her most ardent supporters now, and her most useful. Everyone expected Egwene to favor the women who had been among those who split from Elaida, so being seen spending time with Aes Sedai who had stayed in the White Tower was helpful.
"What have you discovered?" Egwene asked.
Saerin shook her head, joining Egwene at the wall. The scar on her cheek and the white at her temples made the olive-skinned and blunt-faced Brown look like an aging general. "Some of the information you requeste was uncertain even three thousand years ago, Mother."
"Whatever you can give me will help, daughter," Egwene said. "So long as we do not depend on the facts entirely, incomplete knowledge is better than complete ignorance."
Saerin snorted softly, but obviously recognized the quote from Yasicca Cellaech, an ancient Brown scholar.
"And you two?" Egwene asked Yukiri and Seaine.
"We're looking," Yukiri said. "Seaine has a list of possibilities. Some are actually reasonable."
Egwene raised an eyebrow. Asking a White for theories was always nteresting, but not always useful. They had a tendency to ignore what was plausible, focusing on remote possibilities.
"Let us begin there, then," Egwene said. "Seaine?"
"Well," Seaine said, "I will begin by saying that one of the Forsaken undoubtedly has knowledge that we can't guess at. So there may be no way to ascertain how she defeated the Oath Rod. For instance, there might be a way to disable it for a short time, or perhaps there are special words that can be used to evade its effects. The rod is a thing of the Age of Legends, and though we've used it for millennia, we don't really understand it. No more than we do most ter'angreal."
"Very well," Egwene said.
"But," Seaine said, getting out a sheet of paper, "that taken into account, I have three theories on how one might defeat swearing on the rod. First, it is possible that the woman has another Oath Rod. Others were once said to exist, and it's plausible that one rod could release you from the oaths of another. Mesaana could have been holding one secretly. She could have taken the Three Oaths while holding our rod, then somehow used the other to negate those oaths before swearing that she was not a Darkfriend."
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