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Mat blinked "Really? She said things like that?"

Setalle nodded

"Burnher ht that way, considering how she treated s to a man inflates his opinion of himself One would think that the way she treated you would have been enough"

"She’s Aes Sedai," Mat muttered "She treats everyone like they’re lared at hirandmother, part court lady, part no-nonsense innkeeper

"Sorry," he said "Some Aes Sedai aren’t as bad as others I didn’t mean to insult you"

"I’ll take that for a coh I’ a nice small rock at his feet He used it to replace his boot atop the stack of paper The rains of the last few days had passed, leaving a crisp freshness to the air "I know you said it didn’t hurt," Mat said "But…what does it feel like? The thing you lost?"

She pursed her lips "What is thethat you would eat above all others?"

"Ma’s sweet pies," Mat said i that you used to be able to enjoy those pies every day, but now they have been denied you Your friends, they can have as many of those pies as they want You envy them, and you hurt, but at the same time you’re happy At least someone can enjoy what you cannot"

Mat nodded slowly

"Why is it that you hate Aes Sedai so, Master Cauthon?" Setalle asked

"I don’t hate them," Mat said "Burn me, but I don’t But sos without wos a different way and ignore the other one completely"

"You aren’t forced to take their advice, and I warrant that ood advice"

Mat shrugged "Sometimes, ahi with hi to do with your…peculiar views of nobles? Most Aes Sedai act as if they were noblewoainst nobles," Mat said, straightening his coat "I just don’t fancy being one myself"

"Why is that, then?"

Mat sat for a moment Why was it? Finally, he looked down at his foot, then replaced his boot "It’s boots"

"Boots?" Setalle looked confused