Towers of Midnight

  Faile fell silent, though she smelled furious. She took Perrin's arm, not sitting back down. Perrin felt . . . regretful. He had presented the truth. But he wasn't satisfied.

  He hadn't wanted to kill those Whitecloaks, but he had. And he'd done it in a frenzy, without control. He could blame the wolves, he could blame the Whitecloaks, but the honest truth was that he had lost control. When he'd awoken, he'd barely remembered what he had done.

  "You know my answer, Perrin," Morgase said. "I can see it in your eyes."

  "Do what you must," Perrin said.

  "Perrin Aybara, I pronounce you guilty."

  "No!" Faile screamed. "How dare you! He took you in!"

  Perrin put a hand on her shoulder. She'd been reaching for her sleeve by reflex, aiming for the knives there.

  "This has nothing to do with how I personally feel about Perrin," Morgase said. "This is a trial by Andoran law. Well, the law is very clear. Perrin may feel that the wolves were his friends, but the law states that a man's hound or livestock is worth a certain price. Slaying them is unlawful, but killing a man in retribution is even more so. I can quote the very statutes to you if you wish."

  The pavilion was silent. Neald had risen halfway from his chair, but Perrin met his eyes and shook his head. The Aes Sedai and Wise Ones wore faces that betrayed nothing. Berelain looked resigned, and sun-haired Alliandre had one hand to her mouth.

  Dannil and Azi al'Thone moved up to Perrin and Faile, and Perrin did not force them to back down.

  "What does this matter?" Byar demanded. "He's not going to abide by the judgment!"

  Other Whitecloaks stood, and this time Perrin couldn't stare down all those on his side who did likewise.

  "I have not passed sentence yet," Morgase said, voice crisp.

  "What other sentence could there be?" Byar asked. "You said he's guilty."

  "Yes," Morgase said. "Though I believe there are further circumstances relevant to the sentencing." Her face was still hard, and she smelled determined. What was she doing?

  "The Whitecloaks were an unauthorized military group within the confines of my realm," Morgase said. "By this light, while I do rule Perrin guilty of killing your men, I rule the incident subject to the Kainec protocol."

  "Is that the law that governs mercenaries?" Galad asked.

  "Indeed."

  "What is this?" Perrin asked.

  Galad turned to him. "She has ruled that our altercation was a brawl between unemployed mercenary groups. Essentially, the ruling states there were no innocents in the clash you are not, therefore, charged with murder. Instead, you have killed illegally."

  "There's a difference?" Dannil asked, frowning.

  "One of semantics," Galad said, hands still clasped behind his back. Perrin caught his scent; it was curious. "Yes, this is a good ruling, Mother. But the punishment is still death, I believe."

  "It can be," Morgase said. "The code is much more lenient, depending on the circumstances."

  "Then what do you rule?" Perrin asked.

  "I do not," Morgase said. "Galad, you are the one responsible for the men killed, or the closest we have. I will pass sentencing on to you. I have given the ruling and the legal definitions. You decide the punishment."

  Galad and Perrin locked eyes across the pavilion. "I see," Galad said. "A strange choice, Your Grace. Aybara, it must be asked again. Will you abide by the decisions of this trial that you yourself suggested? Or must this be settled with conflict?"

  Faile tensed at his side. Perrin could hear his army moving behind him, men loosening swords in their sheaths, muttering. The word passed through them as a low hum. Lord Perrin, named guilty. They're going to try to take him. We won't let it happen, will we?

  The bitter scents of fear and anger mixed in the pavilion, both sides glowering at one another. Above it all, Perrin could smell that wrongness to the air.

  Can I continue to run? he thought. Hounded by that day? There were no coincidences with ta'veren. Why had the Pattern brought him here to confront these nightmares from his past?

  "I will abide by it, Damodred," Perrin said.

  "What?" Faile gasped.

  "But," Perrin said, raising a finger, "only so long as you promise to delay execution of this punishment until after I have done my duty at the Last Battle."

  "You'll accept judgment after the Last Battle?" Bornhald asked, sounding befuddled. "After what may be the end of the world itself? After you've had time to escape, perhaps betray us? What kind of promise is that?"

  "The only kind I can make," Perrin said. "I don't know what the future will bring, or if we'll reach it. But we're fighting for survival. Maybe the world itself. Before that, all other concerns are secondary. This is the only way I can submit."

  "How do we know you'll keep your word?" Galad asked. "My men name you Shadowspawn."

  "I came here, didn't I?" Perrin asked.

  "Because we had your people captive."

  "And would Shadowspawn give one hair's worry about that?" Perrin asked.

  Galad hesitated.

  "I swear it," Perrin said. "By the Light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth. By my love of Faile and on the name of my father. You'll have your chance, Galad Damodred. If you and I both survive until the end of this, I'll submit to your authority."

  Galad studied him, then nodded. "Very well."

  "No!" Byar cried. "This is foolishness!"

  "We leave, Child Byar," Galad said, walking to the side of the pavilion. "My decision has been made. Mother, will you attend me?"

  "I'm sorry, Galad," Morgase said. "But no. Aybara is making his way back to Andor, and I must go with him."

  "Very well." Galad continued on.

  "Wait," Perrin called. "You didn't tell me what my punishment will be, once I submit."

  "No," Galad said, still walking. "I didn't."

  CHAPTER 35

  The Right Thing

  You understand what you are to do?" Egwene asked, walking toward her rooms in the White Tower. Siuan nodded.

  "If they do appear," Egwene said, "you will not let yourself be drawn into a fight."

  "We're not children, Mother," Siuan said dryly.

  "No, you're Aes Sedai nearly as bad at following directions."

  Siuan gave her a flat look, and Egwene regretted her words. They had been uncalled-for; she was on edge. She calmed herself.

  She had tried several forms of bait to lure Mesaana out, but so far, there hadn't been any nibbles. Egwene swore she could almost feel the woman watching her in Tel'aran'rhiod. Yukiri and her group were at a standstill.

  Her best hope was the meeting tonight. It had to draw her. Egwene didn't have any time left the monarchs she'd persuaded were already beginning to move, and Rand's forces were gathering.

  Tonight. It must happen tonight.

  "Go," Egwene said. "Speak with the others. I don't want there to be any foolish mistakes."

  "Yes, Mother," Siuan grumbled, turning away. "And Siuan," Egwene called after her. The former Amyrlin hesitated.

  "See to your safety tonight," Egwene said. "I would not lose you."

  Siuan often gave such concern a crusty reply, but tonight she smiled. Egwene shook her head and hurried on to her rooms, where she found Sil-viana waiting.

  "Gawyn?" Egwene asked.

  "There has been no news of him," Silviana replied. "I sent a messenger for him this afternoon, but the messenger hasn't returned. I suspect that Gawyn is delaying his reply to be difficult."

  "He's nothing if not stubborn," Egwene said. She felt exposed without him. That was surprising, since she'd pointedly ordered him to stay away from her door. Now she worried about him not being there?

  "Double my guard, and make certain to have soldiers posted nearby. If my wards go off, they will raise a clatter."

  "Yes, Mother," Silviana said.

  "And send Gawyn another messenger," she said. "One with a more politely worded letter. Ask him to return; don't order him." Knowing Silviana's opinion of Gawy
n, Egwene was sure the original letter had been brusque.

  With that, Egwene took a deep breath, then went into her rooms, checked on her wards, and prepared to go to sleep.

  I shouldn't feel so exhausted, Perrin thought as he climbed down from Stepper. I didn't do anything but talk.

  The trial weighed on him. It seemed to weigh upon the entire army. Perrin looked at them as they rode back into camp. Morgase was there, off on her own. Faile had watched her the whole way back, smelling of anger, but not speaking a word. Alliandre and Berelain had kept their distance.

  Morgase had condemned him, but in truth, he didn't much care. He had deflected the Whitecloaks; now he needed to lead his people to safety. Morgase rode through camp, seeking out Lini and Master Gill. They'd arrived safely, together with all the other captives, as Galad Damodred had promised. Surprisingly, he'd sent the supplies and carts with them.

  The trial was a victory, then. Perrin's men didn't seem to see it that way. The soldiers split into groups as they slunk back into camp. There was little talking.

  Beside Perrin, Gaul shook his head. "Two silver points."

  "What's that?" Perrin asked, handing Stepper to a groom. "A saying," Gaul said, glancing up at the sky. "Two silver points. Twice we have ridden to battle and found no foe. Once more, and we lose honor."

  "Better to find no foe, Gaul," Perrin said. "Better no blood be shed."

  Gaul laughed. "I do not say I wish to end the dream, Perrin Aybara. But look at your men. They can feel what I say. You should not dance the spears without purpose, but neither should you too often demand that men prepare themselves to kill, then give them nobody to fight."

  "I'll do it as often as I like," Perrin said gruffly, "if it means avoiding a battle. I "

  A horse's hooves thumped the ground, and the wind brought him Faile's scent as he turned to face her.

  "A battle avoided indeed, Perrin Aybara," Gaul said, "and another invited. May you find water and shade." He trotted away as Faile dismounted.

  Perrin took a deep breath.

  "All right, husband," she said, striding up to him. "You will explain to me just what you thought you were doing. You let him pass judgment on you? You promised to deliver yourself to him? I wasn't under the impression that I'd married a fool!"

  "I'm no fool, woman," he roared back. "You keep telling me I need to lead. Well, today I took your advice!"

  "You took it and made the wrong decision."

  "There was no right decision!"

  "You could have let us fight them."

  "They intend to fight at the Last Battle," Perrin said. "Every Whitecloak we killed would be one less man to face the Dark One. Me, my men, the Whitecloaks none of us matter compared to what is coming! They had to live, and so did we. And this was the only way!"

  Light, but it felt wrong to yell at her. Yet it actually softened her temper. Remarkably, the soldiers nearby him started to nod, as if they hadn't been able to see the truth until he'd bellowed it out.

  "I want you to take command of the retreat," Perrin said to Faile. "The trap hasn't sprung yet, but I find myself itching more each minute. Something's watching us; they have taken away our gateways, and they intend to see us dead. They now know we won't fight the Whitecloaks, which means they'll attack soon. Maybe this evening; if we're lucky, they'll delay until tomorrow morning."

  "We aren't done with this argument," she warned.

  "What's done is done, Faile. Look forward."

  "Very well." She still smelled angry, those beautiful dark eyes of hers fierce, but she contained it.

  "I'm going to the wolf dream," Perrin said, glancing toward the edge of camp, where their tent lay. "I'll either destroy that dome, or I'll find a way to force Slayer to tell me how to make Traveling work again. Get the people ready to march, and have the Asha'man try to make a gateway on every count of a hundred. The moment it works, get our people out of here."

  "Where?" Faile asked. "Jehannah?"

  Perrin shook his head. "Too close. The enemy might be watching there. Andor. Take them to Caemlyn. Actually, no. Whitebridge. Let's stay away from anywhere they might expect. Besides, I don't want to show up with an army on Elayne's doorstep until I've warned her."

  "A good plan," Faile said. "If you fear attack, we should move the camp followers first, rather than moving the armies through and leaving us undefended."

  Perrin nodded. "But get them moving as soon as the gateways work again."

  "And if you don't succeed?" Faile had begun to sound determined. Frightened, but determined.

  "If I haven't restored gateways in one hour, start them marching toward the perimeter where Neald discovered that he can make gateways. I don't think that will work; I think Slayer will just move the dome, always keeping us underneath it. But it's something."

  Faile nodded, but her scent became hesitant. "That will also put us marching, rather than in camp. Much easier to ambush that way."

  "I know," Perrin said. "That is why I must not fail."

  She took him into her arms, head against his chest. She smelled so wonderful. Like Faile. That was the definition of wonderful to him. "You've said he's stronger than you are," she whispered.

  "He is."

  "Can I do anything to help you face him?" she asked softly. "If you watch over them while I'm gone, that will help."

  "What happens if he kills you while you're there?" Perrin didn't reply.

  "There's no other way?" she asked.

  He pulled back from her. "Faile, I'm fairly certain that he's Lord Luc. They smell different, but there's something similar about them, too. And when I wounded Slayer in the wolf dream before, Luc bore the wound."

  "Is that supposed to help me feel better?" she asked, grimacing.

  "It's all coming back around. We finish with Maiden and find ourselves within a stone's toss of the remnants of the Whitecloaks, Byar and Bornhald with them. Slayer appears in the wolf dream again. That man I told you of, Noam, the one who was in the cage. Do you remember where I found him?"

  "You said you were chasing Rand. Through . . ."

  "Ghealdan," Perrin said. "It happened not one week's ride from here."

  "An odd coincidence, but "

  "No coincidences, Faile. Not with me. I'm here for a reason. He's here for a reason. I must face this."

  She nodded. He turned to walk toward their tent, her hand slipping free of his. The Wise Ones had given him a tea that would let him sleep so he could enter the wolf dream.

  It was time.

  "How could you let him go?" Byar said, knuckles clenched on the pommel of his sword, white cloak flapping behind him. He, Bornhald and Galad walked through the middle of their camp. "I did what was right," Galad said.

  "Letting him go free was not right!" Byar said. "You can't believe "

  "Child Byar," Galad said softly, "I find your attitude increasingly insubordinate. That troubles me. It should trouble you as well."

  Byar closed his mouth and said no more, though Galad could see that it was difficult for him to hold his tongue. Behind Byar, Bornhald walked silently, looking very upset.

  "I believe that Aybara will keep his oath," Galad said. "And if he does not, I now have the legal grounds to hunt him and exact punishment. It is not ideal, but there was wisdom to his words. I do believe the Last Battle is coming, and if so, it is time to unite against the Shadow."

  "My Lord Captain Commander," Byar said, managing his tone, "with all respect, that man is of the Shadow. He will not be fighting beside us, but against us."

  "If that is true," Galad said, "we will still have a chance to face him on the field of battle. I ave made my decision, Child Byar." Harnesh strode up to join them and saluted. Galad nodded. "Child Harnesh, strike camp."

  "My Lord Captain Commander? This late in the day?"

  "Yes," Galad said. "We will march into the night and put some distance between us and Aybara, just in case. Leave scouts, make certain he doesn't try to follow us. We'll make for Lugard. We can recruit a
nd resupply, then continue on toward Andor."

  "Yes, my Lord Captain Commander," Harnesh said.

  Galad turned to Byar as Harnesh left. The skeletal man gave a salute, sunken eyes dangerously resentful, then stalked off. Galad stopped on the field, between white tents, hands behind his back as he watched messengers relay his orders through camp.

  "You are quiet, Child Bornhald," Galad said after a few moments. "Are you as displeased with my actions as Child Byar is?"

  "I don't know," Bornhald said. "I've believed for so long that Aybara killed my father. And yet, seeing how Jaret acts, remembering his description . . . There is no evidence. It frustrates me to admit it, Galad, but I have no proof. He did kill Lathin and Yamwick, however. He killed Children, so he is a Darkfriend."

  "I killed one of the Children, too," Galad said. "And was named Darkfriend for it."

  "That was different." Something seemed to be troubling Bornhald, something he wasn't saying.

  "Well, that is true," Galad said. "I do not disagree that Aybara should be punished, but the day's events leave me strangely troubled."

  He shook his head. Finding answers should be easy. The right thing always came to him. However, whenever he thought he'd seized upon the right course of action regarding Aybara, he found distasteful worries cropping up inside of him.

  Life is not so easy as the toss of a coin, his mother had said. One side or the other . . . your simple illusions . . .

  He did not like the feeling. Not at all.

  Perrin inhaled deeply. Flowers bloomed in the wolf dream, even as the sky raged silver, black and gold. The scents were so incongruous. Baking cherry pie. Horse dung. Oil and grease. Soap. A wood fire. Arrath. Thyme. Catfern. A hundred other herbs he couldn't name.

  Very few of them fit the meadow where he had appeared. He'd made certain not to appear where his camp was in the wolf dream; that would have put him too near Slayer.

  The scents were fleeting. Vanishing too quickly, as if they'd never really been there.