writes merely confirms what
we already know from other sources, including Toveine. But, without naming them, she
bloody well says that she is ‘in charge of most of the sisters in the city of Cairhien.’”
“How can Sashalle be in charge of any sisters?” Javindhra shook her head, her expression
denying the possibility. “Could she have gone insane?”
Pevara held her silence. Tsutama gave answers when she wished, rarely when you asked.
Toveine’s earlier letter, also addressed to Galina, had not mentioned Sashalle at all, or the
other two, but of course, she would have found the entire subject beyond distasteful.
Even thinking of it was like eating rotten plums. Most of her words had been devoted to
laying the whole blame for events at Elaida’s feet, however indirectly.
Tsutama’s eyes flickered toward Javindhra like dagger thrusts, but she went on without
pausing. “Sashalle recounts Toveine’s bloody visit to Cairhien with the other sisters and
the flaming Asha’man, though she clearly doesn’t know about the bloody bonding. She
found it all very strange, sisters mingling with those goat-kissing men on ‘tense yet often
friendly’ terms. Blood and bloody ashes! That is how she puts it, burn me.” Tsutama’s
tone, suitable for discussing the price of lace, in strong contrast to the intensity of her
eyes, and her language, gave no hint of what she felt on the subject. “Sashalle says that
when they left, they took flaming Warders belonging to sisters she believes are with the
boy, so it seems bloody certain they were looking for him and likely have found him by
now. She has no idea why. But she confirms what Toveine claimed concerning Logain.
Apparently, the goat-spawned man is no longer gentled.”
“Impossible,” Javindhra muttered into her teacup, but softly. Tsutama disliked having her
statements challenged. Pevara kept her opinions to herself and sipped from her own cup.
So far, there seemed nothing in the letter worthy of discussion except how Sashalle could
be “in charge” of anything, and she would rather think of anything other than Sashalle’s
fate. The tea tasted of blueberries. How had Tsutama obtained blueberries this early in the
spring? Perhaps they had been dried.
“I will read the rest to you,” Tsutama said, unfolding the page and scanning almost to the
bottom before beginning. Apparently Sashalle had been very detailed. What was the
Highest not sharing? So many suspicions.
I have been so long without communicating because I could not work out how to say
what I must, but now I see that simply telling the facts is the only way. Along with a
number of other sisters, who I will leave to decide for themselves whether to reveal what
I am about to, I have sworn an oath of fealty to the Dragon Reborn which is to last until
Tarmon Gai’don has been fought.
Javindhra gasped loudly, her eyes popping, but Pevara merely whispered, “Ta’veren.” It
must be that. Ta’veren had always been her explanation for most of the disturbing rumors
out of Cairhien.
Tsutama read on right over them.
What I do, I do for the good of the Red Ajah and the good of the Tower. Should you
disagree, I will surrender myself for your discipline. After Tarmon Gai’don. As you may
have heard, Irgain Fatamed, Ronaille Vevanios and I were all stilled when the Dragon
Reborn escaped at Dumai’s Wells. We have been Healed, however, by a man named
Damer Flinn, one of the Asha’man, and we all seem to be restored fully. Unlikely as this
seems, I swear beneath the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth that it is true. I
look forward to my eventual return to the Tower, where I will retake the Three Oaths to
reaffirm my dedication to my Ajah and to the Tower.
Folding the letter again, she gave her head a small shake. “There’s more, but it’s all more
bloody pleading that what she’s doing is for the Ajah and the Tower.” A glitter in her
eyes suggested that
we already know from other sources, including Toveine. But, without naming them, she
bloody well says that she is ‘in charge of most of the sisters in the city of Cairhien.’”
“How can Sashalle be in charge of any sisters?” Javindhra shook her head, her expression
denying the possibility. “Could she have gone insane?”
Pevara held her silence. Tsutama gave answers when she wished, rarely when you asked.
Toveine’s earlier letter, also addressed to Galina, had not mentioned Sashalle at all, or the
other two, but of course, she would have found the entire subject beyond distasteful.
Even thinking of it was like eating rotten plums. Most of her words had been devoted to
laying the whole blame for events at Elaida’s feet, however indirectly.
Tsutama’s eyes flickered toward Javindhra like dagger thrusts, but she went on without
pausing. “Sashalle recounts Toveine’s bloody visit to Cairhien with the other sisters and
the flaming Asha’man, though she clearly doesn’t know about the bloody bonding. She
found it all very strange, sisters mingling with those goat-kissing men on ‘tense yet often
friendly’ terms. Blood and bloody ashes! That is how she puts it, burn me.” Tsutama’s
tone, suitable for discussing the price of lace, in strong contrast to the intensity of her
eyes, and her language, gave no hint of what she felt on the subject. “Sashalle says that
when they left, they took flaming Warders belonging to sisters she believes are with the
boy, so it seems bloody certain they were looking for him and likely have found him by
now. She has no idea why. But she confirms what Toveine claimed concerning Logain.
Apparently, the goat-spawned man is no longer gentled.”
“Impossible,” Javindhra muttered into her teacup, but softly. Tsutama disliked having her
statements challenged. Pevara kept her opinions to herself and sipped from her own cup.
So far, there seemed nothing in the letter worthy of discussion except how Sashalle could
be “in charge” of anything, and she would rather think of anything other than Sashalle’s
fate. The tea tasted of blueberries. How had Tsutama obtained blueberries this early in the
spring? Perhaps they had been dried.
“I will read the rest to you,” Tsutama said, unfolding the page and scanning almost to the
bottom before beginning. Apparently Sashalle had been very detailed. What was the
Highest not sharing? So many suspicions.
I have been so long without communicating because I could not work out how to say
what I must, but now I see that simply telling the facts is the only way. Along with a
number of other sisters, who I will leave to decide for themselves whether to reveal what
I am about to, I have sworn an oath of fealty to the Dragon Reborn which is to last until
Tarmon Gai’don has been fought.
Javindhra gasped loudly, her eyes popping, but Pevara merely whispered, “Ta’veren.” It
must be that. Ta’veren had always been her explanation for most of the disturbing rumors
out of Cairhien.
Tsutama read on right over them.
What I do, I do for the good of the Red Ajah and the good of the Tower. Should you
disagree, I will surrender myself for your discipline. After Tarmon Gai’don. As you may
have heard, Irgain Fatamed, Ronaille Vevanios and I were all stilled when the Dragon
Reborn escaped at Dumai’s Wells. We have been Healed, however, by a man named
Damer Flinn, one of the Asha’man, and we all seem to be restored fully. Unlikely as this
seems, I swear beneath the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth that it is true. I
look forward to my eventual return to the Tower, where I will retake the Three Oaths to
reaffirm my dedication to my Ajah and to the Tower.
Folding the letter again, she gave her head a small shake. “There’s more, but it’s all more
bloody pleading that what she’s doing is for the Ajah and the Tower.” A glitter in her
eyes suggested that
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