New Spring: Chapter 25
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Author: Atarah al'Norahn
Chapter Icon: A Helmet
Point of View: Moiraine
Setting: Chachin
Characters: Moiraine, Brys, Elis, Lan, Iselle Arrel, Siuan
Outline
Summary
Moiraine leaves her room and is led by the Shatayan, Mistress Romera, to see Prince Brys. On the way, she sees Bukama and Ryne practice fighting in a courtyard, and thinks that now she will have to avoid them and Lan.
She meets and spends some time talking with Brys and members of his family. She learns here that Lan is actually the king of lost Malkier, and is shocked. She pretends that she is unwell and is led back to her rooms by a serving girl named Elis. On the way, she runs across Merean, who has just arrived at the palace. She and Merean exchange a few words, and Elis realizes that Moiraine is also Aes Sedai. Moiraine commands Elis to take her to Lan's apartments, and Elis obeys.
Once in Lan's apartments, Moiraine announces that she wants him to do something for her. "There was a pledge made, and held since the War of the Hundred Years, that Malkier would ride when the White Tower called. I am Aes Sedai, and I call you!"
Lan replies that he will help her if she answers a question for him. His question is this: "When Malkier died, Shienar and Arafel sent men. They could not stop the flood of Trollocs and Myrddraal, yet they came. Men rode from Kandor, and even Saldaea. They came too late, but they came. For nine hundred years we rode when the White Tower called, but where was the Tower when Malkier died? If you are Aes Sedai, answer me that!"
As it happens, the answer to that question is Sealed to the Tower, but Moiraine tells him the truth anyway. Over a hundred sisters were sent to Malkier, but they arrived too late. The White Tower felt that it was better for their reputation for others to think that the Tower had done nothing than to have it known that Aes Sedai had tried and failed.
Lan accepts the answer and asks Moiraine what she wants. She wants him to have someone watch Merean, to note where she goes, what she does, and who she meets. They agree that Bukama will watch Merean, and that he will report to Moiraine's maid, Suki (Siuan).
When Moiraine returns to her rooms, it is to find that Iselle Arrel is waiting for her. She demands that she be taken to the Tower since she has the ability to channel, but Moiraine tells her to go by herself if she wishes, and has Siuan show her out. When Moiraine tells Siuan that Bukama will be watching Merean, Siuan is upset that Moiraine has taken such a risk. Siuan tells Moiraine that an old man (Bukama) approached her that day, asked if she was Suki, and then let her know that Merean spent most of the day with Brys.
Siuan then tells Moiraine what she has learned from Cal. Ines Demain's son, Rahien, was born the day after Gitara's Foretelling, making it even more likely that he is the Dragon Reborn. Siuan also informs Moiraine that she will be moving in with Ines Demain's servants. She has led Cal to believe that she has been dismissed from Moiraine's service for spilling wine on her, and Cal thinks that he can get her a job working for Ines.
