rj.thepathofdaggers-第61章
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e leg and made his bow； asking her pardon for going off； and she curtsied deeply； murmuring that he honored her too much； and that was that。 Except for jerking his head at Gallenne to follow him。 He doubted that Faile would send him off and want that one to stay。 What did she want to talk about alone？
Outside； the one…eyed man gave Perrin a clap on the shoulder that would have staggered a smaller man。 〃Burn me； I've never heard of the like！ Now I can say I've seen a ta'veren at work for true。 What did you want with me？〃 And what was he to say to that？
Just then； he heard shouting from the Mayener camp； the sound of arguing； loud enough that Two Rivers men stood to peer through the trees； though the side of the hill hid everything。
〃First let's see what all that is about；〃 Perrin replied。 That would give him time to think。 About what to say to Gallenne； and other things。
Faile waited a few moments after Perrin left before telling the servants that she and the others would see to themselves。 Maighdin was so busy staring at Alliandre that Lini had to pluck at her sleeve before she moved。 That would have to be handled later。 Setting her cup down； Faile followed the three women to the door of the tent as if hurrying them； but she paused there。
Perrin and Gallenne were striding off through the trees toward the Mayener camp。 Good。 Most of Cha Faile was squatting not far off。 Catching Parelean's eye； she gestured low in front of her waist； where no one behind her could see。 A quick circular motion followed by a clenched fist。 Immediately the Tairens and Cairhien broke apart in groups of two or three and spread out。 Far less elaborate than Maiden handtalk； Cha Faile's signals sufficed。 In moments a scattered ring of her people had surrounded the tent； apparently at random； talking idly or playing at cat's cradle。 But no one would e nearer than twenty paces without her receiving warning before they reached the threshold。
It was Perrin who worried her most。 She had expected something momentous as soon as Alliandre appeared in the flesh； if not what came； but he had been stunned by her vow。 If he took it into his head to return； to take another stab at making Alliandre feel fortable in her decision。。。 Oh； he did think with his heart when he should use his head。 And with his head when he should use his heart！ Guilt pricked her at the thought。
〃Peculiar servants you found by the side of the road；〃 Berelain said in tones of mock sympathy at her side； and Faile gave a start。 She had not heard the woman e up behind her。 Lini and the others were walking toward the carts； Lini shaking a finger at Maighdin； and Berelain shifted her gaze from Faile to them。 She kept her voice low； but the mocking tone remained。 〃The oldest at least seems to know her duties instead of simply having heard about them； but Annoura tells me the youngest is a wilder。 Very weak； Annoura says； negligible； but wilders always cause problems。 The others will carry tales about her； if they know； and sooner or later； she will run away。 Wilders always do； I hear。 That's what es of picking up your maids like stray dogs。〃
〃They suit me well enough；〃 Faile replied coolly。 Still； a long conversation with Lini was definitely needed。 A wilder？ Even if weak； that might prove useful。 〃I always thought you were fit for hiring servants。〃 Berelain blinked； uncertain what that meant； and Faile carefully did not let her satisfaction show。 Turning away； she said； 〃Annoura； will you make us private with a ward against listeners？〃
There seemed little chance that Seonid or Masuri would find any opportunity to eavesdrop using the Power … she was waiting for the explosion when Perrin found out just how tightly the Wise Ones had that pair haltered … yet the Wise Ones themselves might have learned。 Faile was sure Edarra and the others were wringing Seonid and Masuri dry。
The Gray sister's beaded braids clicked softly as she nodded。 〃It is done； Lady Faile；〃 she said； and Berelain's lips pressed briefly。 Quite satisfying。 The temerity of making the presentations here in Faile's own tent！ She deserved more than having someone step between her and her advisor； but it was satisfying。
Childishly satisfying； Faile admitted； when she should be focused on the matter at hand。 She almost bit her lip in aggravation。 She did not doubt her husband's love； but she could not treat Berelain as the woman deserved； and that forced her； against her will； to play a game with Perrin too often as the gaming board。 And the prize； so Berelain believed。 If only Perrin did not sometimes behave as if he might be。 Firmly she put all that out of her head。 There was a wife's work to be done here。 The practical side。
Alliandre glanced thoughtfully at Annoura when a ward was mentioned … she had to realize it meant serious talk … but what she said was 〃Your husband is a formidable man； Lady Faile。 I mean no offense when I say his bluff exterior belies a shrewd mind。 With Amadicia on our doorstep； we in Ghealdan play Daes Dae'mar of necessity； but I do not think I have ever been danced so swiftly or so deftly to a decision as your Lord did。 The hint of a threat here； a frown there。 A very formidable man。〃
This time hiding her smile took some effort on Faile's part。 These southlanders set a great store by the Game of Houses； and she did not think Alliandre would appreciate learning that Perrin simply said what he believed … too freely by half； at times … and people with devious minds saw calculation in his honesty。 〃He spent some time in Cairhien；〃 she said。 Let Alliandre make of that what she would。 〃We can speak freely here； safe behind Annoura Sedai's warding。 It is plain you do not want to return to Bethal yet。 Is your oath to Perrin； and his to you； not enough to tie him to you？〃 Some here in the south had peculiar ideas of what fealty entailed。
Berelain silently took a position to Faile's right； and a moment later Annoura did the same on her left； so that Alliandre found herself confronted by all three。 It surprised Faile that the Aes Sedai fell in with her plan without knowing what it was … without doubt Annoura had her own reasons； and Faile would have given a pretty to know what they were … but she felt no surprise that Berelain did so。 One casual mocking sentence could spoil everything； especially about Perrin's skill in the Great Game； yet she was sure it would not e。 In a way； that irritated her。 Once she had despised Berelain； she still hated her； deep and hot； but grudging respect had replaced contempt。 The woman knew when their 〃game〃 had to be put aside。 If not for Perrin； Faile thought she might actually have liked her！ Briefly； to extinguish that hateful thought； she pictured herself shaving Berelain bald。 She was a jade and a trull！ And not something Faile could allow to divert her now。
Alliandre studied each of the women in front of her in turn； but she gave no evidence of nervousness。 Taking up her winecup again； she sipped casually and spoke with sighs and rueful smiles as if her words were not really as important as they sounded。 〃I mean to keep my oath； of course； but you must understand that I hoped for more。 Once your husband goes； I am left as I was。 Worse； perhaps； until some tangible aid es from the Lord Dragon； blessed be his name in the Light。 The Prophet could ruin Bethal or even Jehannah itself as he did Samara； and I cannot stop him。 And if he somehow learns of my oath。。。 He says he has e to show us how to serve the Lord Dragon in the Light； but he is the one who shows that way； and I cannot think he will be pleased with anyone who finds another。〃
〃It is good that you will keep your oath；〃 Faile told her dryly。 〃If you want more of my husband； perhaps you should do more。 Perhaps you should acpany him when he goes south to meet the Prophet。 Of course； you will want your own soldiers with you； but I suggest no more than the First has with her。 Shall we sit？〃 Taking the chair Perrin had vacated； she motioned Berelain and Annoura to those on either side； and only then gestured toward another for Alliandre。
The Queen sat slowly； staring wide…eyed at Faile； not nervous b
