The Gathering Storm

Page 70

  Gawyn grimaced. "But surely theyll make an exception for those men. After all, an enemy did do the wounding. "

  "Well see," Bryne said. "The sisters rarely visit the soldiers. Theyve their own business to be about. "

  "Theres one in the outer camp now," Gawyn said absently, glancing over his shoulder.

  "Younger girl? Dark hair, without the ageless face?"

  "No, this was an Aes Sedai. I could tell because of the face. She was kind of plump, with lighter hair. "

  "Probably just scouting for Warders," Bryne said, sighing. "They do that. "

  "I dont think so," Gawyn said, glancing over his shoulder. "She was hiding among the washwomen. " As he thought about it, he realized that she could very well be a spy for the White Tower loyalists.

  Brynes frown deepened. Perhaps he had the same thoughts. "Show me," he said, striding toward the tent flaps. He threw them aside, walking back out into the morning light, Gawyn following.

  "You never did explain what you are doing here, Gawyn," Bryne said as they walked through the orderly camp, soldiers saluting their general as he passed.

  "I told you," Gawyn said, hand resting comfortably on the pommel of his sword. "I am going to find a way to get Egwene out of that death trap. "

  "I didnt mean what youre doing in my camp. I meant why you were in the area in the first place. Why arent you back in Caemlyn, helping your sister?"

  "You have news of Elayne," Gawyn said, stopping. Light! He should have asked earlier. He really was tired. "I heard that she was in your camp earlier. Shes gone back to Caemlyn? Is she safe?"

  "She hasnt been with us for a long while," Bryne said. "But she seems to be doing well. " He stopped, glancing at Gawyn. "You mean you dont know?"

  "What?"

  "Well, rumors are unreliable," Bryne said. "But I have confirmed many of them with the Aes Sedai, who have been Traveling to Caemlyn to listen for news. Your sister holds the Lion Throne. It seems that shes undone much of the mess your mother left for her. "

  Gawyn took a deep breath. Thank the Light, he thought, closing his eyes. Elayne lived. Elayne held the throne. He opened his eyes, and the overcast sky seemed a little more bright. He continued walking, Bryne falling into step beside him.

  "You really didnt know," Bryne said. "Where have you been, lad? Youre the First Prince of the Sword now, or you will be once you return to Caemlyn! Your place is at your sisters side. "

  "Egwene first.

  "You made an oath," Bryne said sternly. "Before me. Have you forgotten?"

  "No," Gawyn said. "But if Elayne has the throne, then shes safe for now. Ill get Egwene and tow her back to Caemlyn where I can keep an eye on her. Where I can keep an eye on both of them. "

  Bryne snorted. "I think Id like to watch you trying that first part," he noted. "But regardless, why werent you there when Elayne was trying to take the throne? What have you been doing that is more important than that?"

  "I . . . grew entangled," Gawyn said, eyes forward.

  "Entangled?" Bryne asked. "You were at the White Tower when all of this—" He cut off, falling silent. The two walked side by side for a moment.

  "Where did you hear sisters talking about Egwenes capture?" Bryne asked. "How would you know shes being punished?"

  Gawyn said nothing.

  "Blood and bloody ashes!" Bryne exclaimed. The general rarely cursed. "I knew that the person leading those raids against me was too well informed. And here I was, looking for a leak among my officers!"

  "It doesnt matter now. "

  "Ill judge that," Bryne said. "Youve been killing my men. Leading raids against me!"

  "Leading raids against the rebels," Gawyn said, turning hard eyes on Bryne. "You may blame me for bullying my way into your camp, but do you honestly expect me to feel guilty for helping the White Tower against the force besieging it?"

  Bryne fell silent. Then he nodded curtly. "Very well. But that makes you an enemy commander.

  "No longer," Gawyn said. "Ive left that command. "

  "But—"

  "I helped them," Gawyn said. "I no longer do. Nothing I see here will return to your enemies, Bryne. I swear it on the Light. "

  Bryne didnt respond immediately. They passed tents, likely for the high officers, approaching the palisade wall. "Very well," Bryne said. "I can trust you havent changed enough to break your word. "

  "I wouldnt turn against that oath," Gawyn said harshly. "How could you think that I would?"

  "Ive had experience with unexpected renunciations of oaths lately," Bryne said. "I said I believe you, lad. And I do. But you still havent explained why you didnt return to Caemlyn. "

  "Egwene was with the Aes Sedai," Gawyn said. "As far as I knew, Elayne was as well. This seemed a good place to be, although I wasnt certain I liked Elaidas authority. "

  "And what is Egwene to you?" Bryne asked softly.

  Gawyn met his eyes. "I dont know," he admitted. "I wish I did. "

  Strangely, Bryne chuckled. "I see. And I understand. Come, lets find this Aes Sedai you think you saw. "

  "I did see her, Gareth," Gawyn said, nodding to the guards as they passed out the gates. The men saluted Bryne, but watched Gawyn as they would a blacklance. As well they should.

  "We shall see what we find," Bryne said. "Regardless, once I get you a meeting with the Aes Sedai leaders, I want your word that youll go back to Caemlyn. Leave Egwene to us. You need to help Elayne. Its your place to be in Andor. "

  "I could say the same of you. " Gawyn surveyed the teeming followers camp. Where had the woman been?

  "You could," Bryne said gruffly. "But it wouldnt be true. Your mother saw to that. "

  Gawyn glanced at him.

  "She put me out to pasture, Gawyn. Banished me and threatened me with death. "

  "Impossible!"

  Bryne looked grim. "I felt the same way. But it is true nonetheless. The things she said . . . they stung, Gawyn. That they did indeed. "

  That was all Bryne said, but from him, it spoke volumes. Gawyn had never heard the man offer a word of discontent about his station or his orders. He had been loyal to Morgase—loyal with the kind of steadfastness a ruler could only hope for. Gawyn had never known a man more sure, or a man less likely to complain.

  "It must have been part of some scheme," Gawyn said. "You know Mother. If she hurt you, there was a reason. "

  Bryne shook his head. "No reason other than foolish love for that fop Gaebril. She nearly let her clouded head ruin Andor. "

  "Shed never!" Gawyn snapped. "Gareth, you of all people should know that!"

  "I should," Bryne said, lowering his voice. "And I wish I did. "

  "She had another motive," Gawyn said stubbornly. He felt the heat of anger rise within him again. Around them, peddlers glanced at the two, but said nothing. They probably knew not to approach Bryne. "But now well never know it. Not now that shes dead. Curse alThor! The day cant come soon enough when I can run him through. "

  Bryne looked at Gawyn sharply. "AlThor saved Andor, son. Or as near to it as a man could. "

  "How could you say that?" Gawyn said, pulling his hand away. "How could you speak well of that monstet? He killed my mother!"

  "I dont know if I believe those rumors or not," Bryne said, rubbing his chin. "But if I do, lad, then perhaps he did Andor a favor. You dont know how bad it got, there at the end. "

  "I cant believe Im hearing this," Gawyn said, lowering his hand to his sword. "I wont hear her name soiled like that, Bryne. I mean it. "

  Bryne looked him directly in the eyes. His gaze was so solid. Like eyes carved of granite. "Ill always speak truth, Gawyn. No matter who challenges me on it. Its hard to hear? Well, it was harder to live. No good comes of spreading complaints. But her son needs to know. In the end, Gawyn, your mother turned against Andor by embracing Gaebril. Sh
e needed to be removed. If alThor did that for us, then we have need to thank him. "

  Gawyn shook his head, rage and shock fighting one another. This was Gareth Bryne?

  "These arent the words of a spurned lover," Bryne said, face set, as if shoving aside emotions. He spoke softly as he and Gawyn walked, camp followers giving them a wide berth. "I can accept that a woman could lose affection for a man and bestow it on another. Yes, Morgase the woman I can forgive. But Morgase the Queen? She gave the kingdom to that snake. She sent her allies to be beaten and imprisoned. She wasnt right in her mind. Sometimes, when a soldiers arm festers, it needs to be cut free to save the mans life. Im pleased at Elaynes success, and it is a wound to speak these words. But you have to bury that hatred of alThor. He wasnt the problem. Your mother was. "

  Gawyn kept his teeth clenched. Never, he thought. / will nevet forgive alThor. Not for this.

  "I can see the intent behind that look," Bryne said. "All the more reason to get you back to Andor. Youll see. If you dont trust me, ask your sister. See what she says of it. "

  Gawyn nodded sharply. Enough of that. Ahead, he noted the place where hed seen the woman. He glanced toward the distant lines of washwomen, then turned and strode toward them, edging between two merchants with pungent pens full of chickens, selling eggs. "This way," he said, perhaps too sharply.

  He didnt look to see if Bryne followed. Soon the general caught up to him, looking displeased, but he kept his peace. They walked down a crowded, twisting pathway among people in browns and dull grays, and soon reached the line of women kneeling before two long wooden troughs of slowly flowing water. Men stood at the far end, pouring water down the troughs, and the line of women washed clothing in the sudsy one, then rinsed them off in the cleaner trough. No wonder the ground was so wet! At least here it smelled of suds and cleanliness.

  The women had their sleeves rolled up to their upper arms, and most of them chatted idly as they worked, rubbing clothing against boards in the troughs. They were all dressed in those same brown skirts he had seen on the Aes Sedai. Gawyn rested his hand idly on his pommel, inspecting the women from behind.

  "Which one?" Bryne asked.

  "Just a moment," Gawyn said. There were dozens of women. Had he really seen what hed thought? Why would an Aes Sedai be in this camp, of all places? Surely Elaida wouldnt send an Aes Sedai out to spy; their faces made them too easy to recognize.

  Of course, if they were that easy to recognize, why couldnt he spot her now?

  And then he saw her. She was one of the only women who wasnt chatting with those around her. She knelt with her head bowed, the yellow kerchief tied around her head, shading her face, a few locks of light hair sticking out from under the cloth. Her posture was so subservient that he almost missed her, but the shape of her body stood out. She was plump, and that kerchief was the only yellow one in the line.

  Gawyn strode down the line of working women, several of whom stood up, hands on hips as they explained in no uncertain terms that "Soldiers with their big feet and awkward elbows" should stay out of the way of women at work. Gawyn ignored them, pressing on until he stood beside the yellow kerchief.