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"We will declare a day of celebration for my mother’s safe return," Elayne continued "And for her…restoration to proper status"

Well, that pause meant Elayne was displeased to know that her mother had been treated as a servant She had to realize that Perrin and Faile hadn’t knohat they were doing, but a queen could still claie that, perhaps, she planned to use

Perhaps Faile was reading too much into the co a lady wasa merchant, and she had been trained well for both roles

"Finally," Elayne said, "we co Lady Bashere, Master Aybara Is there a boon you would ask in return for the gift you have given to Andor?"

Perrin rested his hand on his haly Obviously, Elayne expected them to ask for him to be named formally a lord Or, perhaps, to ask forbearance for i with a formal pardon Either direction could be a result of this conversation

Faile was tempted to demand the first It would be a sis Faile had to know before they could proceed "Your Majesty," Faile said, carefully, "?"

Elayne gave that soht--at least thirty seconds’ worth, which see room is prepared"

Faile nodded, and a servant opened a small door on the left-hand wall of the throne room Perrin walked toward it, then held up a hand to Gaul, Sulin and Arganda "Wait here" He hesitated, glancing at Grady "You, too"

None of them seeht happen

Faile contained her nervousness--she didn’t like leaving the Asha’man, their best means of escape Particularly since Elayne undoubtedly had spies and Guards hidden inside the sitting rooerous Faile would have liked a si a male channeler in to speak with the Queen…well, this was hoould have to be They were in Elayne’s do Perrin, Alliandre and Morgase in the sed; Elayne had foreseen this possibility They waited for Elayne to enter before sitting Faile couldn’t see any place for Guards to be hiding

Elayne entered and waved a hand The Great Serpent ring on her finger glittered in the laotten that she was Aes Sedai Perhaps there weren’t any Guards around to help--a woerous as a dozen soldiers

Which of the ru the father of Elayne’s child were to be believed? Surely not the ones about that fool of a man in her Guard--that was most likely obfuscation Could it possibly be Rand hiown of deep red She sat down beside her daughter, watching carefully, re silent

"So," Elayne said, "explain to me why I shouldn’t just execute you both as traitors"

Faile blinked in surprise Perrin, however, snorted "I don’t think Rand would think very highly of that move"

"I’m not beholden to him," Elayne said "You expect?"