Elayne hesitated. "Generous?"
"Building these for the Band."
"For the Band . . . Mat, these will be for Andor!"
"Here now," Mat said. "These are my plans."
"And my resources!" Elayne said. She sat up straight, suddenly becoming more poised. "Surely you see that the Crown could offer a more stable and useful control for the deployment of these weapons."
To the side, Thorn was grinning.
"What are you so happy about?" Mat demanded.
"Nothing," Thorn said. "You do your mother proud, Elayne."
"Thank you, Thorn," she said, favoring him with a smile.
"Whose side are you on?" Mat said.
"Everyone's," Thorn said.
"That's not a bloody side," Mat said, then looked back to Elayne. "I put a lot of effort and thought into getting these plans out of Aludra. I've nothing inst Andor, but I don't trust anyone with these weapons who isn't me."
"And if the Band were part of Andor?" Elayne asked. She really did sound like a queen all of a sudden.
"The Band is beholden to nobody," Mat said.
"That is admirable, Mat," Elayne said, "but it makes you mercenaries. I think that the Band deserves something more, something better. With official backing, you would have access to resources and authority. We could give you a commission in Andor, with your own command structure."
It was actually tempting. Just a little. But it did not matter. He did not think Elayne would be happy to have him in her realm once she knew of his relationship with the Seanchan. He meant to return to Tuon eventually, somehow. If only to work out what she really felt about him.
He had no intention of giving the Seanchan access to these dragons, but he did not fancy giving them to Andor, either. Unfortunately, he had to admit that there was no way he was going to have Andor build them without giving the weapons to the nation, too.
"I don't want a commission for the Band," Mat said. "We're free men, and that's how we like it."
Elayne looked troubled.
"But I'd be willing to split the dragons with you," Mat said. "Some for us, some for you."
"What if" Elayne said, "I built all of the dragons and owned all of
them—but promised that only the Band could use them? No other forces
would have access to them."
"That would be kind of you," Mat said. "Suspicious, though. No offense."
It would be better for me if the noble Houses didn't have these, at
least not at first. They will spread eventually. Weapons always do. I build
them and promise to give them to the Band. No commission, just a con-
tract, hiring you for a long term. You can go at any time. But if you do, you
leave the dragons behind."
Mat frowned. "Feels like you're wrapping a chain around my neck, Elayne."
"I'm only suggesting reasonable solutions."
"The day you become reasonable is the day I eat my hat," Mat said. "No offense."
Elayne raised an eyebrow at him. Yes, she had become a queen. Just like that.
"I want the right to keep a few of these dragons," Mat said, "if we leave. One-quarter to us, three-quarters to you. But we'll take your contract, and while we're in your employ, only we use them. As you said."
Her frown deepened. Burn him, but she; had grasped the power of those dragons quickly. He could not let her hesitate now. They needed the dragons to go into production immediately. And he was not about to let the chance of having them pass the Band by.
Sighing to himself, Mat reached up and undid the strap at the back of his neck, then pulled the familiar foxhead medallion out of his shirt. The second he removed it, he felt more naked than if he had stripped bare. He set it on the table.
Elayne glanced at it, and he could see a flash of desire in her eyes. "What is that for?"
"It's a sweetener," Mat said, leaning forward, elbows on knees. "You get it for one day if you agree to start production on a prototype dragon this evening. I don't care what you do with the medallion—study it, write a bloody book about it, wear it about. But you return it tomorrow. Your word on it."
Birgitte whistled slowly. Elayne had wanted to get her hands on that medallion the moment she discovered he had it. Of course, so had every other bloody Aes Sedai that Mat had met.
"I get the Band in at least a one-year contract," Elayne said, "renewable. We'll pay you whatever you were earning in Murandy."
How did she know about that?
"You can cancel," she continued, "as long as you provide a month's warning—but I keep four dragons out of five. And any men who wish to join the Andoran military must be given the chance."
"I want one out of four," Mat said. "And a new serving man."
"A what?" Elayne said.
"A serving man," Mat said. "You know, to take care of my clothing. You'd do a better job of picking than I would."
Elayne looked at his coat, then up at his hair. "That," she said, "I'll give you regardless of how the other negotiations go."
"One out of four?" Mat said.
"I get the medallion for three days."
He shivered. Three days, with the ghola?n in town. She would have him dead. It was already a gamble to give it to her for a day. But he could not think of anything else he could offer. "What do you even think you can do with the thing?" he asked.
"Copy it," Elayne said absently, "if I'm lucky."
"Really?"
"I won't know until I study it."
Mat suddenly had the horrifying image of every Aes Sedai in the world earing one of those medallions. He shared a look with Thorn, who seemed equally surprised to hear this.
But what did that matter? Mat could not channel. Before, he had worried that—if she studied it—Elayne might figure a way to touch him with the One Power when he was wearing it. But if she just wanted to copy it well, he found himself relieved. And intrigued.
"There's been something I've been meaning to mention, Elayne," he said. "The gholam is here. In town. It's been killing people."
Elayne remained calm, but he could tell from the way she was even more formal when she spoke that the news worried her. "Then I will be certain to return the medallion to you on time."
He grimaced. "All right," he said. "Three days."
"Very well," she said. "I want the Band to start immediately. I'll be Traveling to Cairhien soon, and I have a feeling they would be a better support force there than the Queen's Guard."
So that was what this was about! Elayne was moving on the Sun Throne. Well, that seemed a good use for the men, at least until Mat needed them. Better than letting them sit around getting lazy and picking fights with sell-swords.
"I agree to that," Mat said, "but Elayne, the Band has to be free to fight in the Last Battle, however Rand wants. And Aludra has to supervise the dragons. I have a feeling that she'll insist that she remain with you if the Band breaks off from Andor."
"I have no issues with that," Elayne said, smiling.
I figured you wouldn't. But, just so we're clear, the Band has control of the dragons until we leave. You can't sell the technology to others."
"Someone will replicate it, Mat," she said.
Copies won't be as good as Aludra's," Mat said. "I promise you that."
Elayne studied him, blue eyes weighing him, judging him. "I'd still rather have the Band as a fully commissioned Andoran force."
"Well, I wish I had a hat made all of gold, a tent that could fly and a norse that leaves droppings of diamonds. But we'll both have to settle with what's reasonable, won't we?"
"It wouldn't be unreasonable to—"
"We'd have to do what you said, Elayne," Mat replied. "I won't have it Some battles aren't worth fighting, and I'm going to decide when my men put themselves at risk. That's that."
"I don't like having men who could leave me at any time."
"You know I won't hold them back merely to spite you," Mat said. "I'll do what's right."
"Every man should have that option," he replied,
"Few men use it wisely."
"We want it anyway," Mat said. "We demand it."
She glanced—almost imperceptibly—toward the plans and the medallion on the table. "You have it," she said.
"Deal," he said, standing up, spitting in his hand, and holding it out.
She hesitated, stood and spat in her hand, then held it out to him. He smiled and shook it.
"Did you know that I might ask you to take arms against the Two Rivers?" she asked. "Is that why you demanded the right to leave if you want?"
Against the Two Rivers? Why under the Light would she want to do that? "You don't need to fight them, Elayne."
"We shall see what Perrin forces me to do," she replied. "But let's not discuss that right now." She glanced at Thorn, then reached under her table and pulled out a rolled piece of paper with a ribbon about it. "Please. I want to hear more of what happened during your trip out of Ebou Dar. Will you take dinner with me this evening?"
"We'd be delighted," Thorn said, standing. "Wouldn't we, Mat?"
"I suppose," Mat said. "If Talmanes can come. He'll tear my throat out if I don't at least let him meet you, Elayne. Taking dinner with you will have him dancing all the way back to the camp."
Elayne chuckled. "As you wish. I'll have servants show you to some rooms where you can rest until the time arrives." She handed Thorn the rolled-up paper. "This will be proclaimed tomorrow, if you will it."
"What is it?" Thom asked, frowning.
"The court of Andor lacks a proper court-bard," she said. "I thought you might be interested."
Thom hesitated. "You honor me, but I can't accept that. There are things I need to do in the next little while, and I can't be tied to the court."
"You needn't be tied to the court," Elayne said. "You'll have freedom to leave and go where you wish. But when you are in Caemlyn, I'd have you be known for who you are."
"I..." He took the roll of paper. "I'll consider it, Elayne."
"Excellent." She grimaced. "I'm afraid I have an appointment with my midwife now, but I will see you at dinner. I haven't yet asked what Matrim
meant by calling himself a married man in his letter. I expect a full report! No expurgations!" She eyed Mat, smiling slyly. "Expurgation means 'parts cut out,' Mat. In case you weren't bloody aware."
He put his hat on. "I knew that." What had that word been again? Expirations? Light, why had he mentioned his marriage in that letter? He had hoped it would make Elayne curious enough to see him.
Elayne laughed, gesturing them toward the exit. Thom spared a paternal kiss for her cheek before parting—good that it was paternal! Mat had heard some things about those two that he did not want to believe. With Thom old enough to be her grandfather, no less.
Mat pulled open the door, moving to leave.
"And Mat," Elayne added. "If you need to borrow money to buy a new coat, the Crown can lend you some. Considering your station, you really should dress more nicely."
"I'm no bloody nobleman!" he said, turning.
"Not yet," she said. "You don't have Perrin's audacity in naming yourself to a title. I'll see that you get one."
"You wouldn't dare," he said.
"But—"
"See here," he said as Thom joined him in the hallway. "I'm proud of who I am. And I like this coat. It's comfortable." He clenched his hands into fists, refusing to scratch at his collar.
"If you say so," Elayne said. "I will see you at dinner. I'll have to bring Dyelin. She's very curious to meet you."
With that, she had Birgitte close the door. Mat stared at it vengefully for a moment, then turned toward Thom. Talmanes and the soldiers waited a short distance down the hallway, out of hearing range. They were being given warm tea by some palace servants.
That went well," Mat decided, hands on hips. "I worried she wouldn't bite, but I think I reeled her in pretty well." Though the bloody dice were still rolling in his head.
Thom laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.
"What?" Mat demanded.
Tom just chuckled, then glanced down at the scroll in his other hand. "And this was unexpected as well."
"Well, Andor doesn't have a court-bard," Mat said.
"Yes," Thorn said, looking over the scroll. "But there's a pardon written in here too, for any and all crimes—known and unknown—I may have committed in Andor or Cairhien. I wonder who told her. . . ."
"Told her what?"
"Nothing, Mat. Nothing at all. We have a few hours until dinner with Elayne. What do you say we go buy you a new coat?"
"All right," Mat said. "You think I could get one of those pardons, too if I asked for it?"
"Do you need one?"
Mat shrugged, walking down the hallway with him. "Can't hurt to be safe. What kind of coat are you going to buy me, anyway?"
"I didn't say I'd pay."
"Don't be so stingy," Mat said. "I'll pay for dinner." And bloody ashes, somehow, Mat knew, he would.
CHAPTER
20
A Choice
"You must not speak," Rosil said to Nynaeve. The slender, longnecked woman wore an orange dress slashed with yellow. "At least, speak only when spoken to. You know the ceremony?"
Nynaeve nodded, her heart beating treacherously as they walked into the dungeonlike depths of the White Tower. Rosil was the new Mistress of Novices, and a member of the Yellow Ajah by coincidence.
"Excellent, excellent," Rosil said. "Might I suggest you move the ring to the third finger of your left hand?"
"You may suggest it," Nynaeve said, but did not move the ring. She had been named Aes Sedai. She would not give in on that point.
Rosil pursed her lips, but said nothing further. The woman had shown Nynaeve remarkable kindness during her short time in the White Tower— which had been a relief. Nynaeve had grown to expect that every Yellow sister would regard her with disdain, or at least indifference. Oh, they thought she was talented, and many insisted on being trained by her. But they did not think of her as one of them. Not yet.
This woman was different, and being a burr in her sandal was not a good repayment. "It is important to me, Rosil," Nynaeve explained, "that 1 not give any indication of disrespect for the Amyrlin. She named me Aes Sedai. To act as if I were merely Accepted would be to undermine her words. This test is important—when the Amyrlin raised me, she never said that I need not be tested. But I am Aes Sedai."
Rosil cocked her head, then nodded. "Yes. I see. You are correct."
Nynaeve stopped in the dim corridor. "I want to thank you, and the others who have welcomed me these last days—Niere and Meramor. I had not assumed I would find acceptance here among you."
"There are some who resist change, dear," Rosil said. "It will ever be so But your new weaves are impressive. More importantly, they're effective That earns you a warm welcome from me."
Nynaeve smiled.
"Now," Rosil said, raising a finger. "You might be Aes Sedai in the eyes of the Amyrlin and the Tower, but tradition still holds. No speaking for the rest of the ceremony, please."
The lanky woman continued leading the way. Nynaeve followed, biting off a retort. She wouldn't let her nerves rule her.
Deeper into the Tower they wound, and despite her determination to be calm, she found herself increasingly nervous. She was Aes Sedai, and she would pass this test. She'd mastered the hundred weaves. She didn't need to worry.
Except, some women never returned from the test.
These cellars had a grand beauty to them. The smooth stone floor was leveled carefully. Lamps burned high on the walls; likely, those had required a sister or Accepted to light them with the One Power. Few people came down here, and most of the rooms were used for storage. It seemed a waste to her to put such care in a place rarely visited.
Eventually, they arrived at a pair of doors so large that Rosil had to use the One Power to open them. I
t's an indication, Nynaeve thought, folding her arms. The vaulted hallways, the enormous door. This is here to show Accepted the importance of what they are about to do.
The enormous, gatelike doors swung open, and Nynaeve forced herself to master her jitters. The Last Battle was looming. She would pass this test. She had important work to be about.
Head raised high, she entered the chamber. It was domed, with stand-lamps around the perimeter. A large ter'angreal dominated the center. It was an oval, narrowed at the top and bottom, that sat unsupported.
Many ter'angreal looked ordinary. That was not the case here: this oval was obviously something worked by the One Power. It was made of metal, but the light changed colors as it reflected off the silvery sides, making the thing seem to glow and shift.
"Attend," Rosil said formally.
There were other Aes Sedai in the room. One from each Ajah, including— unfortunately—the Red. They were all Sitters, an oddity, perhaps because of
Nyaeve's notoriety in the Tower. Saerin from the Brown, Yukiri of the
Gray, Barasine from the Red. Notably, Romanda from the Yellow was there; she had insisted on taking part. She had been hard with Nynaeve so far. Egwene herself had come. One more than normal, and the Amyrlin as well. Nynaeve met the Amyrlin's eyes, and Egwene nodded. Unlike the test tobe raised to Accepted—which was made entirely by the ter'angreal—his test involved the sisters actively working to make Nynaeve prove herself And Egwene would be among the most harsh. To show that she had been right in raising Nynaeve.
"You come in ignorance, Nynaeve al'Meara," Rosil said. "How will you depart?"
"In knowledge of myself," Nynaeve said.
"For what reason have you been summoned here?"
"To be tried."
"For what reason should you be tried?"
"To show that I am worthy," Nynaeve said.
Several of the women frowned, including Egwene. Those weren't the right words—Nynaeve was supposed to say that she wanted to learn whether or not she was worthy. But she was already Aes Sedai, so by definition she was worthy. She just had to prove it to the others.
Rosil stumbled, but continued. "And ... for what would you be found worthy?"
"To wear the shawl I have been given," Nynaeve said. She didn't say it to be arrogant. Once again, she simply stated the truth, as she saw it. Egwene had raised her. She wore the shawl already. Why pretend that she didn't?
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