The Eye of the World_42 Flashcards
No, Elaida, you [taizai].
No, Elaida, you stay.
And [baai] you will too, please, [omo] Gareth.
And if you will too, please, Lord Gareth.
I must decide what to do about these Whitecloaks in the [toshi].”
I must decide what to do about these Whitecloaks in the city.”
Tallanvor and the guardsmen sheathed their [ken] reluctantly, ready to [dorō] again in an instant.
Tallanvor and the guardsmen sheathed their swords reluctantly, ready to draw again in an instant.
Still Rand was glad to let the [heishi] [fōmu] a [nakazora] [bokkusu] around him and to follow Tallanvor.
Still Rand was glad to let the soldiers form a hollow box around him and to follow Tallanvor.
Elaida was only [hanbun] attending what the [joō] was saying; he could feel her [me] on his [senaka].
Elaida was only half attending what the Queen was saying; he could feel her eyes on his back.
What would have happened [baai] Morgase had not kept the Aes Sedai with her?
What would have happened if Morgase had not kept the Aes Sedai with her?
The [shikō] made him [negai] the [heishi] would [sanpo] faster.
The thought made him wish the soldiers would walk faster.
To his [odoroki], Elayne and Gawyn exchanged a few [kotoba] [soto ni] the [tobira], then fell in beside him.
To his surprise, Elayne and Gawyn exchanged a few words outside the door, then fell in beside him.
Tallanvor was surprised, too.
Tallanvor was surprised, too.
The young [yakuin] looked from them back to the [tobira], closing now.
The young officer looked from them back to the doors, closing now.
“My [haha],”
“My mother,”
Elayne said, “ordered him to be escorted from the [kyūden], Tallanvor.
Elayne said, “ordered him to be escorted from the Palace, Tallanvor.
With every [reigi].
With every courtesy.
What are you waiting for?”
What are you waiting for?”
Tallanvor scowled at the [tobira], behind which the [joō] was conferring with her [komon].
Tallanvor scowled at the doors, behind which the Queen was conferring with her advisors.
“Nothing, my [josei],”
“Nothing, my Lady,”
he said sourly, and needlessly ordered the [goei] forward.
he said sourly, and needlessly ordered the escort forward.
The [fushigi] of the [kyūden] slid by Rand unseen.
The wonders of the Palace slid by Rand unseen.
He was befuddled, [sunacchi] of [shikō] spinning by too fast to [tsukamimasu].
He was befuddled, snatches of thought spinning by too fast to grasp.
You have not the [hyōjō].
You have not the look.
This [otoko] stands at the [kokoro] of it.
This man stands at the heart of it.
The [goei] stopped.
The escort stopped.
He blinked, startled to find himself in the great [saibansho] at the [furonto] of the [kyūden], standing at the tall, gilded [mon], gleaming in the [nichi].
He blinked, startled to find himself in the great court at the front of the Palace, standing at the tall, gilded gates, gleaming in the sun.
Those [mon] would not be opened for a [shinguru] [otoko], certainly not for a [shinnyūsha], even [baai] the [musume]-[sōzoku jin] did [kurēmu] [okyakusama]-[migi] for him.
Those gates would not be opened for a single man, certainly not for a trespasser, even if the Daughter-Heir did claim guest-right for him.
Wordlessly Tallanvor unbarred a [sarī pōto], a small [tobira] set within one [mon].
Wordlessly Tallanvor unbarred a sally-port, a small door set within one gate.
“It is the [kasutamu],”
“It is the custom,”
Elayne said, “to [goei] [okyakusama] as far as the [mon], [shikashi] not to [udedokei] them go.
Elayne said, “to escort guests as far as the gates, but not to watch them go.
It is the [yorokobi] of a [okyakusama]’s [kaisha] that should be remembered, not the [kanashimi] of parting.”
It is the pleasure of a guest’s company that should be remembered, not the sadness of parting.”
“Thank you, my [josei],”
“Thank you, my Lady,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
He touched the [sukāfu] bandaging his [atama].
He touched the scarf bandaging his head.
“For everything.
“For everything.
[kasutamu] in the Two [kawa] is for a [okyakusama] to bring a small [okurimono].
Custom in the Two Rivers is for a guest to bring a small gift.
I’m afraid I have nothing.
I’m afraid I have nothing.
Although,”
Although,”
he added dryly, “apparently I did [oshieru] you something of the Two [kawa] [fōku].”
he added dryly, “apparently I did teach you something of the Two Rivers folk.”
“[baai] I had told [haha] I think you are handsome, she certainly would have had you locked in a [seru].”
“If I had told Mother I think you are handsome, she certainly would have had you locked in a cell.”
Elayne favored him with a dazzling [egao].
Elayne favored him with a dazzling smile.
“Fare you [yoku], Rand al’Thor.”
“Fare you well, Rand al’Thor.”
Gaping, he watched her go, a younger [bājon] of Morgase’s [utsukushisa] and [heika].
Gaping, he watched her go, a younger version of Morgase’s beauty and majesty.
“Do not try to bandy [kotoba] with her.”
“Do not try to bandy words with her.”
Gawyn laughed.
Gawyn laughed.
“She will [shōri] every [jikan].”
“She will win every time.”
Rand nodded absently.
Rand nodded absently.
Handsome?
Handsome?
[hikari], the [musume]-[sōzoku jin] to the [ōi] of [andōru]!
Light, the Daughter-Heir to the throne of Andor!
He gave himself a [furu] to clear his [atama].
He gave himself a shake to clear his head.
Gawyn seemed to be waiting for something.
Gawyn seemed to be waiting for something.
Rand looked at him for a [shunkan].
Rand looked at him for a moment.
“My [omo], when I told you I was from the Two [kawa] you were surprised.
“My Lord, when I told you I was from the Two Rivers you were surprised.
And everybody else, your [haha], [omo] Gareth, Elaida Sedai”
And everybody else, your mother, Lord Gareth, Elaida Sedai”
– a [furue] hashitta down his [senaka] – “none of them…“
– a shiver ran down his back – “none of them…”
He could not [shiagari] it; he was not even sure why he started.
He could not finish it; he was not even sure why he started.
I am Tam al’Thor’s [musuko], even [baai] I was not born in the Two [kawa].
I am Tam al’Thor’s son, even if I was not born in the Two Rivers.
Gawyn nodded as [baai] it was for this he had been waiting.
Gawyn nodded as if it was for this he had been waiting.
Still he hesitated.
Still he hesitated.
Rand opened his [kuchi no naka] to take back the unspoken [shitsumon], and Gawyn said, “Wrap a shoufa around your [atama], Rand, and you would be the [gazō] of an Aielman.
Rand opened his mouth to take back the unspoken question, and Gawyn said, “Wrap a shoufa around your head, Rand, and you would be the image of an Aielman.
Odd, since [haha] seems to think you [saundo] like a Two [kawa] [otoko], at least.
Odd, since Mother seems to think you sound like a Two Rivers man, at least.
I [negai] we could have come to know one another, Rand al’Thor.
I wish we could have come to know one another, Rand al’Thor.
Fare you [yoku].”
Fare you well.”
An Aielman.
An Aielman.
Rand stood watching Gawyn’s retreating back until an impatient [seki] from Tallanvor reminded him where he was.
Rand stood watching Gawyn’s retreating back until an impatient cough from Tallanvor reminded him where he was.
He ducked through the [sarī pōto], barely [kuria] his [kakato] before Tallanvor slammed it behind him.
He ducked through the sallyport, barely clearing his heels before Tallanvor slammed it behind him.
The [bā] [uchigawa] were jammed into [basho] loudly.
The bars inside were jammed into place loudly.
The [daen gata] plaza in [furonto] of the [kyūden] was empty, now.
The oval plaza in front of the Palace was empty, now.
All the [heishi] gone, all the [gunshū], [toranpetto], and [doramu] vanished in [chinmoku].
All the soldiers gone, all the crowds, trumpets, and drums vanished in silence.
Nothing left [shikashi] a scattering of [gomi] blowing across the [hosō] and a few [hitobito] hurrying about their [bijinesu] now that the [kōfun] was done.
Nothing left but a scattering of litter blowing across the pavement and a few people hurrying about their business now that the excitement was done.
He could not make out [baai] they showed the [akai] or the [shiroi].
He could not make out if they showed the red or the white.
Aielman.
Aielman.
With a [kaishi, hajimeru] he realized he was standing [migi] in [furonto] of the [kyūden] [mon], [migi] where Elaida could find him easily once she finished with the [joō].
With a start he realized he was standing right in front of the Palace gates, right where Elaida could find him easily once she finished with the Queen.
Pulling his [gaitō] [tojiru], he broke into a [kobashiri], across the plaza and into the [machi] of the Inner [toshi].
Pulling his cloak close, he broke into a trot, across the plaza and into the streets of the Inner City.
He looked back frequently to see [baai] anyone was following him, [shikashi] the sweeping [kābu] kept him from [mite] [hijō ni] far.
He looked back frequently to see if anyone was following him, but the sweeping curves kept him from seeing very far.
He could remember Elaida’s [me] all too [yoku], though, and imagined them watching.
He could remember Elaida’s eyes all too well, though, and imagined them watching.
By the [jikan] he reached the [mon] to the New [toshi], he was running.
By the time he reached the gates to the New City, he was running.
[akira] 41
Chapter 41
Old [yūjin], and New [kyōi]
Old Friends, and New Threats
back at The [joō]’s [shukufuku], Rand threw himself against the [furonto] [tobira furēmu], panting.
Back at The Queen’s Blessing, Rand threw himself against the front doorframe, panting.
He had [jikkō] all the [michi], not caring [baai] anyone [mimashita] that he wore the [akai], or even [baai] they took his running as an [īwake] to [cheisu] him.
He had run all the way, not caring if anyone saw that he wore the red, or even if they took his running as an excuse to chase him.
He did not think even a Fade could have caught him.
He did not think even a Fade could have caught him.
Lamgwin was sitting on a [endai] by the [tobira], a brindle [neko] in his [ude], when he came running up.
Lamgwin was sitting on a bench by the door, a brindle cat in his arms, when he came running up.
The [otoko] stood to [hyōjō] for [meiwaku] the [michi] Rand had come, still calmly scratching behind the [neko]’s [mimi].
The man stood to look for trouble the way Rand had come, still calmly scratching behind the cat’s ears.
[mite] nothing, he sat back down again, careful not to disturb the [dōbutsu].
Seeing nothing, he sat back down again, careful not to disturb the animal.
“[orokamono] tried to steal some of the [neko] a [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] back,”
“Fools tried to steal some of the cats a while back,”
he said.
he said.
He examined his [nakkuru] before going back to his scratching.
He examined his knuckles before going back to his scratching.
“[yoi] [okane] in [neko] these [hi].”
“Good money in cats these days.”
The two [dansei] showing the [shiroi] were still across the [michi], Rand [mimashita], one with a [kuro] [me] and a swollen [ago].
The two men showing the white were still across the way, Rand saw, one with a black eye and a swollen jaw.
That one wore a sour scowl and rubbed his [ken] [moyō] with a sullen [iyoku] as he watched the [in].
That one wore a sour scowl and rubbed his sword hilt with a sullen eagerness as he watched the inn.
“Where’s [shujin] Gill?”
“Where’s Master Gill?”
Rand asked.
Rand asked.
“[toshokan],”
“Library,”
Lamgwin replied.
Lamgwin replied.
The [neko] began purring, and he grinned.
The cat began purring, and he grinned.
“Nothing bothers a [neko] for long, not even somebody trying to [sutikku] him in a [fukuro].”
“Nothing bothers a cat for long, not even somebody trying to stick him in a sack.”
Rand hurried [uchigawa], through the common [heya], now with its usual [hokan] of [dansei] wearing the [akai] and talking over their [ēru].
Rand hurried inside, through the common room, now with its usual complement of men wearing the red and talking over their ale.
About the false [doragon], and whether the Whitecloaks would make [meiwaku] when he was taken [kita].
About the false Dragon, and whether the Whitecloaks would make trouble when he was taken north.
No one cared what happened to Logain, [shikashi] they all knew the [musume]-[sōzoku jin] and [omo] Gawyn would be traveling in the [pātī], and no [otoko] there would [hyōjō] any [risuku] to them.
No one cared what happened to Logain, but they all knew the Daughter-Heir and Lord Gawyn would be traveling in the party, and no man there would countenance any risk to them.
He found [shujin] Gill in the [toshokan], playing [ishi] with Loial.
He found Master Gill in the library, playing stones with Loial.
A plump tabby sat on the [hyō], [ashi] tucked under her, watching their [te] [ugokasu] over the [kurosu]-hatched [bōdo].
A plump tabby sat on the table, feet tucked under her, watching their hands move over the cross-hatched board.
The Ogier placed another [ishi] with a [tacchi] oddly delicate for his thick [yubi].
The Ogier placed another stone with a touch oddly delicate for his thick fingers.
Shaking his [atama], [shujin] Gill took the [īwake] of Rand’s [gaikan] to [tān] from the [hyō].
Shaking his head, Master Gill took the excuse of Rand’s appearance to turn from the table.
Loial almost always won at [ishi].
Loial almost always won at stones.
“I was [hajime] to [shinpai] where you were, [wakamono].
“I was beginning to worry where you were, lad.
[shikō] you might have had [meiwaku] with some of those [shiroi]-flashing [uragirimono], or [jikkō] into that [kojiki] or something.”
Thought you might have had trouble with some of those white-flashing traitors, or run into that beggar or something.”
For a [bun] Rand stood there with his [kuchi no naka] [ōpun].
For a minute Rand stood there with his mouth open.
He had forgotten all about that [bandoru]-of-[boro] of a [otoko].
He had forgotten all about that bundle-of-rags of a man.
“I [mimashita] him,”
“I saw him,”
he said finally, “[shikashi] that’s nothing.
he said finally, “but that’s nothing.
I [mimashita] the [joō], too, and Elaida; that’s where the [meiwaku] is.”
I saw the Queen, too, and Elaida; that’s where the trouble is.”
[shujin] Gill snorted a [warai].
Master Gill snorted a laugh.
“The [joō], eh?
“The Queen, eh?
You don’t say.
You don’t say.
We had Gareth Bryne out in the common [heya] an [jikan] or so ago, [āmu]-wrestling the [omo] [kyaputen.shirei kan] of the [kodomo tachi], [shikashi] the [joō], now…
We had Gareth Bryne out in the common room an hour or so ago, arm-wrestling the Lord Captain-Commander of the Children, but the Queen, now…
that’s something.”
that’s something.”
“[chi] and [hai],”
“Blood and ashes,”
Rand growled, “everybody thinks I’m lying today.”
Rand growled, “everybody thinks I’m lying today.”
He tossed his [gaitō] across the [rimen] of a [isu] and threw himself onto another.
He tossed his cloak across the back of a chair and threw himself onto another.
He was too [kizu] up to sit back.
He was too wound up to sit back.
He perched on the [furonto] [hashi], mopping his [kao] with a [hankachi].
He perched on the front edge, mopping his face with a handkerchief.
“I [mimashita] the [kojiki], and he [mimashita] me, and I [shikō]…
“I saw the beggar, and he saw me, and I thought…
That’s not important.
That’s not important.
I climbed up on a [kabe] around a [niwa], where I could see the plaza in [furonto] of the [kyūden], where they took Logain in.
I climbed up on a wall around a garden, where I could see the plaza in front of the Palace, where they took Logain in.
And I fell off, on the [uchigawa].”
And I fell off, on the inside.”
“I almost [shinjiru] you aren’t [tsukuri] [tanoshii],”
“I almost believe you aren’t making fun,”
the [yadoya no shujin] said slowly.
the innkeeper said slowly.
“tanin’veren.”
“Ta’veren, “ Loial murmured.
Loial murmured.
“Oh, it happened,”
“Oh, it happened,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“Light help me, it did.”
“[hikari] [tasukeru] me, it did.”
Master Gill’s skepticism melted slowly as he went on, turning to quiet alarm.
[shujin] Gill’s [kaigi ron] melted slowly as he went on, turning to [shizuka] [arāmu].
The innkeeper leaned more and more forward until he was perched on the edge of his chair the same as Rand was.
The [yadoya no shujin] leaned more and more forward until he was perched on the [hashi] of his [isu] the same as Rand was.
Loial listened impassively, except that every so often he rubbed his broad nose and the tufts on his ears gave a little twitch.
Loial listened impassively, except that every so often he rubbed his broad [hana] and the [bō] on his [mimi] gave a little twitch.
Rand told everything that had happened, everything except what Elaida had whispered to him.
Rand told everything that had happened, everything except what Elaida had whispered to him.
And what Gawyn had said at the Palace gate.
And what Gawyn had said at the [kyūden] [mon].
One he did not want to think about; the other had nothing to do with anything.
One he did not want to think about; the [sonota] had nothing to do with anything.
I’m Tam al’Thor’s son, even if I wasn’t born in the Two Rivers.
I’m Tam al’Thor’s [musuko], even [baai] I wasn’t born in the Two [kawa].
I am!
I am!
I’m Two Rivers blood, and Tam is my father.
I’m Two [kawa] [chi], and Tam is my [chichioya].
Abruptly he realized he had stopped talking, caught up in his thoughts, and they were looking at him.
Abruptly he realized he had stopped talking, caught up in his [shikō], and they were looking at him.
For one panicky moment he wondered if he had said too much.
For one [panikku jōtai] [shunkan] he wondered [baai] he had said too much.
“Well,”
“[yoku],”
Master Gill said, “there’s no more waiting for your friends for you.
[shujin] Gill said, “there’s no more waiting for your [yūjin] for you.
You will have to leave the city, and fast.
You will have to [kyūka] the [toshi], and fast.
Two days at the most.
Two [hi] at the most.
Can you get Mat on his feet in that time, or should I send for Mother Grubb?’
can you get Mat on his [ashi] in that [jikan], or should I send for [haha] Grubb?’
Rand gave him a perplexed look.
Rand gave him a perplexed [hyōjō].
“Two days?”
“Two [hi]?”
“Elaida is Queen Morgase’s advisor, right next to Captain-General Gareth Bryne himself.
“Elaida is [joō] Morgase’s [komon], [migi] next to [senchō]-[ippan teki] Gareth Bryne himself.
Maybe ahead of him.
Maybe ahead of him.
If she sets the Queen’s Guards looking for you – Lord Gareth won’t stop her unless she interferes with their other duties – well, the Guards can search every inn in Caemlyn in two days.
[baai] she sets the [joō]’s [keibi] looking for you – [omo] Gareth won’t [teishi] her unless she interferes with their [sonota] [shokumu] – [yoku], the [keibi] can [kensaku] every [in] in Caemlyn in two [hi].
And that’s saying some ill chance doesn’t bring them here the first day, or the first hour.
And that’s saying some [byōki] [kikai] doesn’t bring them here the [saisho] [ichi nichi], or the [saisho] [jikan].
Maybe there’s a little time if they start over at the Crown and Lion, but none for dawdling.”
Maybe there’s a little [jikan] [baai] they [kaishi, hajimeru] over at the [kuraun] and [raion], [shikashi] none for dawdling.”
Rand nodded slowly.
Rand nodded slowly.
“If I can’t get Mat out of that bed, you send for Mother Grubb.
“[baai] I can’t get Mat out of that [shindai], you send for [haha] Grubb.
I have a little money left.
I have a little [okane] left.
Maybe enough.”
Maybe enough.”
“I’ll take care of Mother Grubb,”
“I’ll take [kaigo] of [haha] Grubb,”
the innkeeper said gruffly.
the [yadoya no shujin] said gruffly.
“And I suppose I can lend you a couple of horses.
“And I suppose I can lend you a [kappuru] of [uma].
You try walking to Tar Valon and you’ll wear through what’s left of your boots halfway there.”
You try walking to [tāru] Valon and you’ll wear through what’s left of your [būtsu] halfway there.”
“You’re a good friend,”
“You’re a [yoi] [yūjin],”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“It seems like we’ve brought you nothing but trouble, but you’re still willing to help.
“It seems like we’ve brought you nothing [shikashi] [meiwaku], [shikashi] you’re still willing to [tasukeru].
A good friend.”
A [yoi] [yūjin].”
Master Gill seemed embarrassed.
[shujin] Gill seemed embarrassed.
He shrugged his shoulders and cleared his throat and looked down.
He shrugged his [kata] and cleared his [nodo] and looked down.
That brought his eyes to the stones board, and he jerked them away again.
That brought his [me] to the [ishi] [bōdo], and he jerked them away again.
Loial was definitely winning.
Loial was definitely winning.
“Aye, well, Thom’s always been a good friend to me.
“Aye, [yoku], Thom’s always been a [yoi] [yūjin] to me.
If he’s willing to go out of his way for you, I can do a little bit, too.”
[baai] he’s willing to go out of his [michi] for you, I can do a little [sukoshi], too.”
“I would like to go with you when you leave, Rand,”
“I would like to go with you when you [kyūka], Rand,”
Loial said suddenly.
Loial said suddenly.
“I thought that was settled, Loial.”
“I [shikō] that was settled, Loial.”
He hesitated – Master Gill still did not know the whole of the danger – then added, “You know what waits for Mat and me, what’s chasing us.”
He hesitated – [shujin] Gill still did not know the whole of the [kiken] – then added, “You know what waits for Mat and me, what’s chasing us.”
“Darkfriends,”
“[Kurai-yūjin],”
the Ogier replied in a placid rumble, “and Aes Sedai, and the Light knows what else.
the Ogier replied in a placid rumble, “and Aes Sedai, and the [hikari] knows what else.
Or the Dark One.
Or the [Kurai] One.
You are going to Tar Valon, and there is a very fine grove there, which I have heard the Aes Sedai tend well.
You are going to [tāru] Valon, and there is a [hijō ni] [bakkin] [gurōbu] there, which I have heard the Aes Sedai tend [yoku].
In any case, there is more to see in the world than the groves.
In any case, there is more to see in the [sekai] than the [kodachi].
You truly are ta’veren, Rand.
You truly are tanin’veren, Rand.
The Pattern weaves itself around you, and you stand in the heart of it.”
The [moyō] weaves itself around you, and you stand in the [kokoro] of it.”
This man stands at the heart of it.
This [otoko] stands at the [kokoro] of it.
Rand felt a chill.
Rand [kanjita] a [samusa].
“I don’t stand at the heart of anything,”
“I don’t stand at the [kokoro] of anything,”
he said harshly.
he said harshly.
Master Gill blinked, and even Loial seemed taken aback at his anger.
[shujin] Gill blinked, and even Loial seemed taken aback at his [ikari].
The innkeeper and the Ogier looked at each other, and then at the floor.
The [yadoya no shujin] and the Ogier looked at each [sonota], and then at the [yuka].
Rand forced his expression smooth, drawing deep breaths.
Rand forced his [shiki] smooth, [zumen] [fukai] [kokyū].
For a wonder he found the void that had eluded him so often of late, and calmness.
For a [fushigi] he found the void that had eluded him so often of late, and [reisei].
They did not deserve his anger.
They did not deserve his [ikari].
“You can come, Loial,”
“You can come, Loial,”
he said.
he said.
“I don’t know why you would want to, but I’d be grateful for the company.
“I don’t know why you would want to, [shikashi] I’d be grateful for the [kaisha].
You…
You…
you know how Mat is.”
you know how Mat is.”
“I know,”
“I know,”
Loial said.
Loial said.
“I still cannot go into the streets without raising a mob shouting ’Trolloc’ after me.
“I still cannot go into the [machi] without raising a mob shouting ’Trolloc’ after me.
But Mat, at least, only uses words.
[shikashi] Mat, at least, only uses [kotoba].
He has not tried to kill me.”
He has not tried to kill me.”
“Of course not,”
“Of [mochiron] not,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“Not Mat.”
“Not Mat.”
He wouldn’t go that far.
He wouldn’t go that far.
Not Mat.
Not Mat.
A tap came at the door, and one of the serving maids, Gilda, stuck her head into the room.
A [tappu] came at the [tobira], and one of the serving [meido], Gilda, stuck her [atama] into the [heya].
Her mouth was tight, and her eyes worried.
Her [kuchi no naka] was tight, and her [me] worried.
“Master Gill, come quickly, please.
“[shujin] Gill, come quickly, please.
There’s Whitecloaks in the common room.”
There’s Whitecloaks in the common [heya].”
Master Gill leaped up with an oath, sending the cat jumping from the table to stalk out of the room, tail stiff and offended.
[shujin] Gill leaped up with an [sensei], sending the [neko] jumping from the [hyō] to stalk out of the [heya], [o] stiff and offended.
“I’ll come.
“I’ll come.
Run tell them I’m coming, then stay out of their way.
[jikkō] tell them I’m coming, then [taizai] out of their [michi].
You hear me, girl?
You hear me, [onnanoko]?
Keep away from them.”
[kīpu] away from them.”
Gilda bobbed her head and vanished.
Gilda bobbed her [atama] and vanished.
“You had best stay here,”
“You had best [taizai] here,”
he told Loial.
he told Loial.
The Ogier snorted, a sound like sheets ripping.
The Ogier snorted, a [saundo] like [shīto] ripping.
“I have no desire for any more meetings with the Children of the Light.”
“I have no [yokubō] for any more [mītingu] with the [kodomo tachi] of the [hikari].”
Master Gill’s eye fell on the stones board and his mood seemed to lighten.
[shujin] Gill’s [me] fell on the [ishi] [bōdo] and his [kibun] seemed to lighten.
“It looks as if we’ll have to start the game over later.”
“It [rukkusu] as [baai] we’ll have to [kaishi, hajimeru] the [gēmu] over later.”
“No need for that.”
“No must for that.”
Loial stretched an arm to the shelves and took down a book; his hands dwarfed the clothbound volume.
Loial stretched an [āmu] to the [tana] and took down a [hon]; his [te] dwarfed the clothbound [boryūmu].
“We can take up from where the board lies.
“We can take up from where the [bōdo] lies.
It is your turn.”
It is your [tān].”
Master Gill grimaced.
[shujin] Gill grimaced.
“If it isn’t one thing, it’s another,”
“[baai] it isn’t one [koto], it’s another,”
he muttered as he hurried from the room.
he muttered as he hurried from the [heya].
Rand followed him, but slowly.
Rand followed him, [shikashi] slowly.
He had no more desire than Loial to become involved with the Children.
He had no more [yokubō] than Loial to become involved with the [kodomo tachi].
This man stands at the heart of it.
This [otoko] stands at the [kokoro] of it.
He stopped at the door to the common room, where he could see what went on, but far enough back that he hoped he would not be noticed.
He stopped at the [tobira] to the common [heya], where he could see what went on, [shikashi] far enough back that he hoped he would not be noticed.
Dead silence filled the room.
[shin da] [chinmoku] filled the [heya].
Five Whitecloaks stood in the middle of the floor, studiously being ignored by the folk at the tables.
Five Whitecloaks stood in the [mannaka] of the [yuka], studiously [kōfuku] ignored by the [fōku] at the [hyō].
One of them had the silver lightning-flash of an under-officer beneath the sunburst on his cloak.
One of them had the [gin] [inazuma furasshu] of an [andā yakuin] beneath the [sanbāsuto] on his [gaitō].
Lamgwin was lounging against the wall by the front door, intently cleaning his fingernails with a splinter.
Lamgwin was lounging against the [kabe] by the [furonto] [tobira], intently cleaning his [yubi no tsume] with a [toge].
Four more of the guards Master Gill had hired were spaced across the wall with him, all industriously paying no attention at all to the Whitecloaks.
Four more of the [keibi] [shujin] Gill had hired were spaced across the [kabe] with him, all industriously paying no [chūi] at all to the Whitecloaks.
If the Children of the Light noticed anything, they gave no sign.
[baai] the [kodomo tachi] of the [hikari] noticed anything, they gave no [sain].
Only the under-officer showed any emotion at all, impatiently tapping his steel-backed gauntlets against his palm as he waited for the innkeeper.
Only the [andā yakuin] showed any [kanjō] at all, impatiently tapping his [hagane]-backed [gantoretto] against his [tenohira] as he waited for the [yadoya no shujin].
Master Gill crossed the room to him quickly, a cautiously neutral look on his face.
[shujin] Gill crossed the [heya] to him quickly, a cautiously neutral [hyōjō] on his [kao].
“The Light illumine you,”
“The [hikari] illumine you,”
he said with a careful bow, not too deep, but not slight enough to actually be insulting, either, “and our good Queen Morgase.
he said with a careful [bou], not too [fukai], [shikashi] not [wazuka ni] enough to actually be insulting, either, “and our [yoi] [joō] Morgase.
How may I help–”
How may I [tasukeru]–”
“I’ve no time for your drivel, innkeeper,”
“I’ve no [jikan] for your drivel, [yadoya no shujin],”
the under-officer snapped.
the [andā yakuin] snapped.
“I’ve been to twenty inns already today, each a worse pigsty than the last, and I’ll see twenty more before the sun sets.
“I’ve been to twenty [ryokan] already today, each a worse [tonsha] than the [saigo], and I’ll see twenty more before the [nichi] sets.
I’m looking for Darkfriends, a boy from the Two Rivers–”
I’m looking for [Kurai-yūjin], a [otokonoko] from the Two [kawa]–”
Master Gill’s face grew darker with every word.
[shujin] Gill’s [kao] grew [kurai]er with every [kotoba].
He puffed up as if he would explode, and finally he did, cutting the Whitecloak off in turn.
He puffed up as [baai] he would explode, and finally he did, cutting the Whitecloak off in [tān].
“There are no Darkfriends in my establishment!
“There are no [Kurai-yūjin] in my [setsuritsu]!
Every man here is a good Queen’s man!”
Every [otoko] here is a [yoi] [joō]’s [otoko]!”
“Yes, and we all know where Morgase stands,”
“Yes, and we all know where Morgase stands,”
the under-officer twisted the Queen’s name into a sneer, “and her Tar Valon witch, don’t we?”
the [andā yakuin] twisted the [joō]’s [namae] into a [reishō], “and her [tāru] Valon [majo], don’t we?”
The scrape of chair legs was loud.
The [surikizu] of [isu] [ashi] was loud.
Suddenly every man in the room was on his feet.
Suddenly every [otoko] in the [heya] was on his [ashi].
They stood still as statues, but every one staring grimly at the Whitecloaks.
They stood still as [zō], [shikashi] every one staring grimly at the Whitecloaks.
The under-officer did not appear to notice, but the four behind him looked around uneasily.
The [andā yakuin] did not appear to [chūi shite kudasai], [shikashi] the four behind him looked around uneasily.
“It will go easier with you, innkeeper,”
“It will go easier with you, [yadoya no shujin],”
the under-officer said, “if you cooperate.
the [andā yakuin] said, “[baai] you cooperate.
The temper of the times goes hard with those who shelter Darkfriends.
The [kishō] of the [kai] goes hard with those who [hinan sho] [Kurai-yūjin].
I wouldn’t think an inn with the Dragon’s Fang on its door would get much custom.
I wouldn’t think an [in] with the [doragon]’s [kiba] on its [tobira] would get much [kasutamu].
Might have trouble with fire, with that on your door.”
might have [meiwaku] with [kasai], with that on your [tobira].”
“You get out of here now,”
“You get out of here now,”
Master Gill said quietly, “or I’ll send for the Queen’s Guards to cart what’s left of you to the middens.”
[shujin] Gill said quietly, “or I’ll send for the [joō]’s [keibi] to [kāto] what’s left of you to the middens.”
Lamgwin’s sword rasped out of its sheath, and the coarse scrape of steel on leather was repeated throughout the room as swords and daggers filled hands.
Lamgwin’s [ken] rasped out of its [shīsu], and the coarse [surikizu] of [hagane] on [kawa] was repeated throughout the [heya] as [ken] and [tanken] filled [te].
Serving maids scurried for the doors.
Serving [meido] scurried for the [tobira].
The under-officer looked around in scornful disbelief.
The [andā yakuin] looked around in scornful [shinjirare nai].
“The Dragon’s Fang–”
“The [doragon]’s [kiba]–”
“Won’t help you five,”
“Won’t [tasukeru] you five,”
Master Gill finished for him.
[shujin] Gill finished for him.
He held up a clenched fist and raised his forefinger.
He held up a clenched [kobushi] and raised his [hitosashiyubi].
“One.”
“One.”
“You must be mad, innkeeper, threatening the Children of the Light.”
“You must be mad, [yadoya no shujin], threatening the [kodomo tachi] of the [hikari].”
“Whitecloaks hold no writ in Caemlyn.
“Whitecloaks hold no writ in Caemlyn.
Two.”
Two.”
“Can you really believe this will end here?”
“can you really [shinjiru] this will [owari] here?”
“Three.”
“Three.”
“We’ll be back,”
“We’ll be back,”
the under-officer snapped, and then he was hastily turning his men around, trying to pretend he was leaving in good order and in his own time.
the [andā yakuin] snapped, and then he was hastily turning his [dansei] around, trying to pretend he was leaving in [yoi] [ōdā] and in his own [jikan].
He was hampered in this by the eagerness his men showed for the door, not running, but not making secret that they wanted to be outside.
He was hampered in this by the [iyoku] his [dansei] showed for the [tobira], not running, [shikashi] not [tsukuri] [himitsu] that they wanted to be [soto ni].
Lamgwin stood across the door with his sword, only giving way in response to Master Gill’s frantic waves.
Lamgwin stood across the [tobira] with his [ken], only giving [michi] in [ōtō] to [shujin] Gill’s frantic [nami].
When the Whitecloaks were gone, the innkeeper dropped heavily onto a chair.
When the Whitecloaks were gone, the [yadoya no shujin] dropped heavily onto a [isu].
He rubbed a hand across his forehead, then stared at it as if surprised that it was not covered with sweat.
He rubbed a [te] across his [gaku], then stared at it as [baai] surprised that it was not covered with [ase].
All over the room men seated themselves again, laughing over what they had done.
All over the [heya] [dansei] seated themselves again, laughing over what they had done.
Some went over to clap Master Gill on the shoulder.
Some went over to clap [shujin] Gill on the [kata].
When he saw Rand, the innkeeper tottered off the chair and over to him.
When he [mimashita] Rand, the [yadoya no shujin] tottered off the [isu] and over to him.
“Who would have thought I had it in me to be a hero?”
“Who would have [shikō] I had it in me to be a [hīrō]?”
he said wonderingly.
he said wonderingly.
“The Light illumine me.”
“The [hikari] illumine me.”
Abruptly he gave himself a shake, and his voice regained almost its normal tone.
Abruptly he gave himself a [furu], and his [koe] regained almost its normal [kuchō].
“You’ll have to stay out of sight until I can get you out of the city.”
“You’ll have to [taizai] out of [kōkei] until I can get you out of the [toshi].”
With a careful look back into the common room, he pushed Rand deeper into the hall.
With a careful [hyōjō] back into the common [heya], he pushed Rand deeper into the [hōru].
“That lot will be back, or else a few spies wearing red for the day.
“That [takusan] will be back, or else a few spies wearing [akai] for the [ichi nichi].
After that little show I put on, I doubt they’ll care whether you’re here or not, but they’ll act as though you are.”
After that little [shō] I put on, I [utagai] they’ll [kaigo] whether you’re here or not, [shikashi] they’ll [kōi] as though you are.”
“That’s crazy,”
“That’s crazy,”
Rand protested.
Rand protested.
At the innkeeper’s gesture he lowered his voice.
At the [yadoya no shujin]’s [jesuchā] he lowered his [koe].
“The Whitecloaks don’t have any reason to be after me.”
“The Whitecloaks don’t have any [riyū] to be after me.”
“I don’t know about reasons, lad, but they’re after you and Mat for certain sure.
“I don’t know about [riyū ga arimasu], [wakamono], [shikashi] they’re after you and Mat for certain sure.
What have you been up to?
What have you been up to?
Elaida and the Whitecloaks.”
Elaida and the Whitecloaks.”
Rand raised his hands in protest, then let them fall.
Rand raised his [te] in [kōgi], then let them [aki].
It made no sense, but he had heard the Whitecloak.
It made no [kankaku], [shikashi] he had heard the Whitecloak.
“What about you?
“What about you?
The Whitecloaks will make trouble for you even when they don’t find us.”
The Whitecloaks will make [meiwaku] for you even when they don’t find us.”
“No worries about that, lad.
“No worries about that, [wakamono].
The Queen’s Guards still uphold the law, even if they do let traitors strut around showing white.
The [joō]’s [keibi] still uphold the [hōritsu], even [baai] they do let [uragirimono] [suto ratto] around showing [shiroi].
As for the night…
As for the [yoru, kishi_knt]…
well, Lamgwin and his friends might not get much sleep, but I could almost pity anybody who tries to put a mark on my door.”
[yoku], Lamgwin and his [yūjin] might not get much [suimin], [shikashi] I could almost [zannen] anybody who tries to put a [māku] on my [tobira].”
Gilda appeared beside them, dropping a curtsy to Master Gill.
Gilda appeared beside them, dropping a [ojigi] to [shujin] Gill.
“Sir, there’s…
“[sā], there’s…
there’s a lady.
there’s a [josei].
In the kitchens.”
In the [kicchin].”
She sounded scandalized at the combination.
She sounded scandalized at the [kumiawase].
“She’s asking for Master Rand, sir, and Master Mat, by name.”
“She’s asking for [shujin] Rand, [sā], and [shujin] Mat, by [namae].”
Rand exchanged a puzzled look with the innkeeper.
Rand exchanged a puzzled [hyōjō] with the [yadoya no shujin].
“Lad,”
“[wakamono],”
Master Gill said, “if you’ve actually managed to bring the Lady Elayne down from the Palace to my inn, we’ll all end up facing the headsman.”
[shujin] Gill said, “[baai] you’ve actually managed to bring the [josei] Elayne down from the [kyūden] to my [in], we’ll all [owari] up facing the [shikei shikkō jin].”
Gilda squeaked at the mention of the Daughter-Heir and gave Rand a round-eyed stare.
Gilda squeaked at the [genkyū] of the [musume]-[sōzoku jin] and gave Rand a round-eyed [gyōshi].
“Off with you, girl,”
“Off with you, [onnanoko],”
the innkeeper said sharply.
the [yadoya no shujin] said sharply.
“And keep quiet about what you’ve heard.
“And [kīpu] [shizuka] about what you’ve heard.
It’s nobody’s business.”
It’s nobody’s [bijinesu].”
Gilda bobbed again and darted down the hallway, flashing glances over her shoulder at Rand as she went.
Gilda bobbed again and darted down the [rōka], flashing [shisen] over her [kata] at Rand as she went.
“In five minutes”
“In five [bun]”
– Master Gill sighed – “she will be telling the other women you’re a prince in disguise.
– [shujin] Gill sighed – “she will be [uranai] the [sonota] [josei] you’re a [purinsu] in [hensō].
By nightfall it will be all over the New City.”
By [higure] it will be all over the New [toshi].”
“Master Gill,”
“[shujin] Gill,”
Rand said, “I never mentioned Mat to Elayne.
Rand said, “I never mentioned Mat to Elayne.
It can’t be–”
It can’t be .”
Suddenly a huge smile lit up his face, and he ran for the kitchens.
Suddenly a huge [egao] lit up his [kao], and he hashitta for the [kicchin].
“Wait!”
“[taiki]!”
the innkeeper called behind him.
the [yadoya no shujin] called behind him.
“Wait until you know.
“[taiki] until you know.
Wait, you fool!”
[taiki], you [baka]!”
Rand threw open the door to the kitchens, and there they were.
Rand threw [ōpun] the [tobira] to the [kicchin], and there they were.
Moiraine rested her serene eyes on him, unsurprised.
Moiraine rested her serene [me] on him, unsurprised.
Nynaeve and Egwene ran laughing to throw their arms around him, with Perrin crowding in behind them, all three patting his shoulders as if they had to be convinced that he was really there.
Nynaeve and Egwene hashitta laughing to throw their [ude] around him, with Perrin crowding in behind them, all three patting his [kata] as [baai] they had to be convinced that he was really there.
In the doorway leading to the stableyard Lan lounged with one boot up on the doorframe, dividing his attention between the kitchen and the yard outside.
In the [toguchi] leading to the stableyard Lan lounged with one [būtsu] up on the [tobira furēmu], dividing his [chūi] between the [kicchin] and the [niwa] [soto ni].
Rand tried to hug the two women and shake Perrin’s hand, all at the same time, and it was a tangle of arms and laughter complicated by Nynaeve trying to feel his face for fever.
Rand tried to [hōyō] the two [josei] and [furu] Perrin’s [te], all at the same [jikan], and it was a [motsure] of [ude] and [warai] complicated by Nynaeve trying to feel his [kao] for [hatsunetsu].
They looked somewhat the worse for wear – bruises on Perrin’s face, and he had a way of keeping his eyes downcast that he had never had before – but they were alive, and together again.
They looked somewhat the worse for wear – [aza] on Perrin’s [kao], and he had a [michi] of keeping his [me] [daun kyasuto] that he had never had before – [shikashi] they were alive, and together again.
His throat was so tight he could barely talk.
His [nodo] was so tight he could barely [hanashi].
“I was afraid I’d never see you again,”
“I was afraid I’d never see you again,”
he managed finally.
he managed finally.
“I was afraid you were all…”
“I was afraid you were all…”
“I knew you were alive,”
“I knew you were alive,”
Egwene said against his chest.
Egwene said against his [mune].
“I always knew it.
“I always knew it.
Always.”
Always.”
“I did not,”
“I did not,”
Nynaeve said.
Nynaeve said.
Her voice was sharp for just that moment, but it softened in the next, and she smiled up at him.
Her [koe] was sharp for just that [shunkan], [shikashi] it softened in the next, and she smiled up at him.
“You look well, Rand.
“You [hyōjō] [yoku], Rand.
Not overfed by any means, but well, thank the Light.”
Not overfed by any means, [shikashi] [yoku], thank the [hikari].”
“Well,”
“[yoku],”
Master Gill said behind him, “I guess you know these people after all.
[shujin] Gill said behind him, “I [suisoku] you know these [hitobito] after all.
Those friends you were looking for?”
Those [yūjin] you were looking for?”
Rand nodded.
Rand nodded.
“Yes, my friends.”
“Yes, my [yūjin].”
He made introductions all around; it still felt odd to be giving Lan and Moiraine their right names.
He made [shōkai] all around; it still [kanjita] odd to be giving Lan and Moiraine their [migi] [namae].
They both eyed him sharply when he did.
They both eyed him sharply when he did.
The innkeeper greeted everyone with an open smile, but he was properly impressed at meeting a Warder, and especially at Moiraine.
The [yadoya no shujin] greeted everyone with an [ōpun] [egao], [shikashi] he was properly impressed at [kaigi] a [kanshu], and especially at Moiraine.
At her he gaped openly – it was one thing knowing an Aes Sedai had been helping the boys, quite something else having her appear in the kitchen – then bowed deeply.
At her he gaped openly – it was one [koto] knowing an Aes Sedai had been [yakudachimasu] the [otokonoko], quite something else having her appear in the [kicchin] – then bowed deeply.
“You are welcome to The Queen’s Blessing, Aes Sedai, as my guest.
“You are [yōkoso] to The [joō]’s [shukufuku], Aes Sedai, as my [okyakusama].
Though I suppose you will be staying at the Palace with Elaida Sedai, and the Aes Sedai who came with the false Dragon.”
Though I suppose you will be staying at the [kyūden] with Elaida Sedai, and the Aes Sedai who came with the false [doragon].”
Bowing again, he gave Rand a quick, worried look.
Bowing again, he gave Rand a quick, worried [hyōjō].
It was all very well to say he did not speak ill of Aes Sedai, but that was not the same as saying he wanted one sleeping under his roof.
It was all [hijō ni] [yoku] to say he did not speak [byōki] of Aes Sedai, [shikashi] that was not the same as saying he wanted one sleeping under his [yane].
Rand nodded encouragingly, trying to tell him silently that it was all right.
Rand nodded encouragingly, trying to tell him silently that it was all [migi].
Moiraine was not like Elaida, with a threat hidden behind every glance, under every word.
Moiraine was not like Elaida, with a [kyōi] hidden behind every [ichimoku], under every [kotoba].
Are you sure?
Are you sure?
Even now, are you sure?
Even now, are you sure?
“I believe I will stay here,”
“I [shinjiru] I will [taizai] here,”
Moiraine said, “for the short time I remain in Caemlyn.
Moiraine said, “for the short [jikan] I remain in Caemlyn.
And you must allow me to pay.”
And you must allow me to [yūryō].”
A calico cat sauntered in from the hallway to strop the innkeeper’s ankles.
A [kyarako] [neko] sauntered in from the [rōka] to [suto rappu] the [yadoya no shujin]’s [ashikubi].
No sooner had the calico begun than a fuzzy gray sprang from under the table, arching its back and hissing.
No sooner had the [kyarako] begun than a fuzzy [gurē] sprang from under the [hyō], arching its back and hissing.
The calico crouched with a threatening growl, and the gray streaked past Lan into the stableyard.
The [kyarako] crouched with a threatening growl, and the [gurē] streaked past Lan into the stableyard.
Master Gill began apologizing for the cats at the same time he protested that Moiraine would honor him by being his guest, and was she sure she would not prefer the Palace, which he would quite understand, but he hoped she would accept his best room as a gift.
[shujin] Gill began apologizing for the [neko] at the same [jikan] he protested that Moiraine would [meiyo] him by [kōfuku] his [okyakusama], and was she sure she would not prefer the [kyūden], which he would quite understand, [shikashi] he hoped she would accept his best [heya] as a [okurimono].
It made a jumble to which Moiraine seemed to pay no attention at all.
It made a [yose atsume] to which Moiraine seemed to [yūryō] no [chūi] at all.
Instead she bent down to scratch the orange-and-white cat; it promptly left Master Gill’s ankles for hers.
Instead she [magatta] down to [kizu] the [orenji]-and-[shiroi] [neko]; it promptly left [shujin] Gill’s [ashikubi] for hers.
“I’ve seen four other cats here, so far,”
“I’ve seen four [sonota] [neko] here, so far,”
she said.
she said.
“You have a problem with mice?
“You have a [mondai] with [mausu]?
Rats?”
[ratto]?”
“Rats, Moiraine Sedai.”
“[ratto], Moiraine Sedai.”
The innkeeper sighed.
The [yadoya no shujin] sighed.
“A terrible problem.
“A terrible [mondai].
Not that I don’t keep a clean place, you understand.
Not that I don’t [kīpu] a clean [basho], you understand.
It’s all the people.
It’s all the [hitobito].
The whole city is full of people and rats.
The whole [toshi] is full of [hitobito] and [ratto].
But my cats take care of it.
[shikashi] my [neko] take [kaigo] of it.
You’ll not be troubled, I promise.”
You’ll not be troubled, I [yakusoku].”
Rand exchanged a fleeting look with Perrin, who put his eyes down again right away.
Rand exchanged a fleeting [hyōjō] with Perrin, who put his [me] down again [migi] away.
There was something odd about Perrin’s eyes.
There was something odd about Perrin’s [me].
And he was so silent; Perrin was almost always slow to speak, but now he was saying nothing at all.
And he was so silent; Perrin was almost always [osoi] to speak, [shikashi] now he was saying nothing at all.
“It could be all the people,”
“It could be all the [hitobito],”
he said.
he said.
“With your permission, Master Gill,”
“With your [kyoka], [shujin] Gill,”
Moiraine said, as if she took it for granted.
Moiraine said, as [baai] she took it for granted.
“It is a simple matter to keep rats away from this street.
“It is a simple [mondai] to [kīpu] [ratto] away from this [sutorīto].
With luck, the rats will not even realize they are being kept away.”
With [un], the [ratto] will not even realize they are [kōfuku] kept away.”
Master Gill frowned at that last, but he bowed, accepting her offer.
[shujin] Gill frowned at that [saigo], [shikashi] he bowed, accepting her [teikyō].
“If you are sure you don’t want to stay at the Palace, Aes Sedai.”
“[baai] you are sure you don’t want to [taizai] at the [kyūden], Aes Sedai.”
“Where is Mat?”
“Where is Mat?”
Nynaeve said suddenly.
Nynaeve said suddenly.
“She said he was here, too.”
“She said he was here, too.”
“Upstairs,”
“Upstairs,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“He’s…
“He’s…
not feeling well.”
not [kanji] [yoku].”
Nynaeve’s head came up.
Nynaeve’s [atama] came up.
“He’s sick?
“He’s sick?
I’ll leave the rats to her, and I’ll attend to him.
I’ll [kyūka] the [ratto] to her, and I’ll attend to him.
Take me to him now, Rand.”
Take me to him now, Rand.”
“All of you go up,”
“All of you go up,”
Moiraine said.
Moiraine said.
“I will join you in a few minutes.
“I will [sanka shimasu] you in a few [bun].
We are crowding Master Gill’s kitchen, and it would be best if we could all be somewhere quiet for a time.”
We are crowding [shujin] Gill’s [kicchin], and it would be best [baai] we could all be somewhere [shizuka] for a [jikan].”
There was an undercurrent in her voice.
There was an [teiryū] in her [koe].
Stay out of sight.
[taizai] out of [kōkei].
The hiding is not done yet.
The hiding is not done yet.
“Come on,”
“Come on,”
Rand said.
Rand said.
“We’ll go up the back way.”
“We’ll go up the [rimen] [michi].”
The Emond’s Field folk crowded after him to the back staircase, leaving the Aes Sedai and the Warder in the kitchen with Master Gill.
The Emond’s [ryōiki] [fōku] crowded after him to the [rimen] [kaidan], leaving the Aes Sedai and the [kanshu] in the [kicchin] with [shujin] Gill.
He could not get over being back together.
He could not get over [kōfuku] back together.
It was nearly as if he were home again.
It was nearly as [baai] he were home again.
He could not stop grinning.
He could not [teishi] grinning.
The same relief, almost joyous, seemed to be affecting the others.
The same [ando], almost joyous, seemed to be affecting the [tanin].
They chuckled to themselves, and kept reaching out to grip his arm.
They chuckled to themselves, and kept reaching out to [gurippu] his [āmu].
Perrin’s voice seemed subdued, and he still kept his head down, but he began to talk as they climbed.
Perrin’s [koe] seemed subdued, and he still kept his [atama] down, [shikashi] he began to [hanashi] as they climbed.
“Moiraine said she could find you and Mat, and she did.
“Moiraine said she could find you and Mat, and she did.
When we rode into the city, the rest of us couldn’t stop staring – well, all except Lan, of course – all the people, the buildings, everything.”
When we rode into the [toshi], the [nokori] of us couldn’t [teishi] staring – [yoku], all except Lan, of [mochiron] – all the [hitobito], the [tatemono], everything.”
His thick curls swung as he shook his head in disbelief.
His thick curls swung as he shook his [atama] in [shinjirare nai].
“It’s all so big.
“It’s all so big.
And so many people.
And so many [hitobito].
Some of them kept staring at us, too, shouting ’Red or white?’ like it made some kind of sense.”
Some of them kept staring at us, too, shouting ’[akai] or [shiroi]?’ like it made some [shinsetsu] of [kankaku].”
Egwene touched Rand’s sword, fingering the red wrappings.
Egwene touched Rand’s [ken], fingering the [akai] [rappingu].
“What does it mean?”
“What does it mean?”
“Nothing,”
“Nothing,”
he said.
he said.
“Nothing important.
“Nothing important.
We’re leaving for Tar Valon, remember?”
We’re leaving for [tāru] Valon, remember?”
Egwene gave him a look, but she removed her hand from the sword and took up where Perrin had left off.
Egwene gave him a [hyōjō], [shikashi] she removed her [te] from the [ken] and took up where Perrin had left off.
“Moiraine didn’t look at anything any more than Lan did.
“Moiraine didn’t [hyōjō] at anything any more than Lan did.
She led us back and forth through all those streets so many times, like a dog hunting a scent, that I thought you couldn’t be here.
She led us back and forth through all those [machi] so many [kai], like a [inu] hunting a [kaori], that I [shikō] you couldn’t be here.
Then, all of a sudden, she took off down a street, and the next thing I knew we were handing the horses to the stablemen and marching into the kitchen.
Then, all of a sudden, she took off down a [sutorīto], and the next [koto] I knew we were handing the [uma] to the stablemen and marching into the [kicchin].
She never even asked if you were here.
She never even asked [baai] you were here.
Just told a woman who was mixing batter to go tell Rand al’Thor and Mat Cauthon that someone wanted to see them.
Just told a [onna] who was mixing batter to go tell Rand al’Thor and Mat Cauthon that [dare-ka] wanted to see them.
And there you were”
And there you were”
– she grinned —”
– she grinned — “like a [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] popping into the [ginyūshijin]’s [te] out of nowhere.”
like a ball popping into the gleeman’s hand out of nowhere.”
“Where is the [ginyūshijin]?”
“Where is the gleeman?”
Perrin asked.
Perrin asked.
“Is he with you?”
“Is he with you?”
Rand’s [i] lurched and the [yoi] [kanji] of having [yūjin] around him dimmed.
Rand’s stomach lurched and the good feeling of having friends around him dimmed.
“Thom’s [shin da].
“Thom’s dead.
I think he’s [shin da].
I think he’s dead.
There was a Fade…”
There was a Fade…”
He could not say any more.
He could not say any more.
Nynaeve shook her [atama], muttering under her [iki].
Nynaeve shook her head, muttering under her breath.
The [chinmoku] thickened around them, stifling the little [warau], flattening the [yorokobi], until they reached the [atama] of the [kaidan].
The silence thickened around them, stifling the little chuckles, flattening the joy, until they reached the head of the stairs.
“Mat’s not sick, exactly,”
“Mat’s not sick, exactly,”
he said then.
he said then.
“It’s…
“It’s…
You’ll see.”
You’ll see.”
He flung [ōpun] the [tobira] to the [heya] he shared with Mat.
He flung open the door to the room he shared with Mat.
“[hyōjō] who’s here, Mat.”
“Look who’s here, Mat.”
Mat was still curled up in a [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] on the [shindai], just as Rand had left him.
Mat was still curled up in a ball on the bed, just as Rand had left him.
He raised his [atama] to [gyōshi] at them.
He raised his head to stare at them.
“How do you know they’re really who they [hyōjō] like?”
“How do you know they’re really who they look like?”
he said hoarsely.
he said hoarsely.
His [kao] was flushed, the [hada] tight and slick with [ase].
His face was flushed, the skin tight and slick with sweat.
“How do I know you’re who you [hyōjō] like?”
“How do I know you’re who you look like?”
“Not sick?”
“Not sick?”
Nynaeve gave Rand a disdainful [hyōjō] as she pushed past him, already unslinging her [baggu] from her [kata].
Nynaeve gave Rand a disdainful look as she pushed past him, already unslinging her bag from her shoulder.
“Everybody [henka],”
“Everybody changes,”
Mat rasped.
Mat rasped.
“How can I be sure?
“How can I be sure?
Perrin?
Perrin?
Is that you?
Is that you?
You’ve changed, haven’t you?”
You’ve changed, haven’t you?”
His [warai] sounded more like a [seki].
His laugh sounded more like a cough.
“Oh, yes, you’ve changed.”
“Oh, yes, you’ve changed.”
To Rand’s [odoroki] Perrin dropped onto the [hashi] of the [sonota] [shindai] with his [atama] in [te], staring at the [yuka].
To Rand’s surprise Perrin dropped onto the edge of the other bed with his head in hands, staring at the floor.
Mat’s hacking [warai] seemed to pierce him.
Mat’s hacking laughter seemed to pierce him.
Nynaeve knelt beside Mat’s [shindai] and put a [te] to his [kao], pushing up his headcloth.
Nynaeve knelt beside Mat’s bed and put a hand to his face, pushing up his headcloth.
He jerked back from her with a scornful [hyōjō].
He jerked back from her with a scornful look.
His [me] were bright and glazed.
His eyes were bright and glazed.
“You’re [moeru],”
“You’re burning,”
she said, “[shikashi] you should not be sweating with this much [hatsunetsu].”
she said, “but you should not be sweating with this much fever.”
She could not [kīpu] the [shinpai] out of her [koe].
She could not keep the worry out of her voice.
“Rand, you and Perrin fetch some clean [nuno] and as much cool [mizu] as you can carry.
“Rand, you and Perrin fetch some clean cloths and as much cool water as you can carry.
I’ll bring your [ondo] down [saisho], Mat, and—”
I’ll bring your temperature down first, Mat, and —”
“[kawaii] Nynaeve,”
“Pretty Nynaeve,”
Mat spat.
Mat spat.
“A [chie] isn’t supposed to think of herself as a [onna], is she?
“A Wisdom isn’t supposed to think of herself as a woman, is she?
Not a [kawaii] [onna].
Not a pretty woman.
[shikashi] you do, don’t you?
But you do, don’t you?
