Chapter 9

Rand made his way to the depths of the inn, his footsteps echoing down the narrow hallway. Perrin stood in front of a door, and despite his imposing size, he seemed strangely hesitant. He took a deep breath, glanced at his companions, breathed once more, and then carefully opened the door. One by one, the others followed. Rand was the last, closing the door reluctantly, as if sealing a fate he wasn't sure of.

Inside the room, a fire crackled in the hearth, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Moiraine and Nynaeve sat at the head of the table, their eyes locked on each other like two felines ready to pounce. Despite the warmth of the fire, the air felt icy, and Rand knew the chill came from the two women at the table.

Lan leaned against the mantelpiece, his gray eyes watching the flames as he rubbed his hands for warmth. Egwene, her back pressed against the wall, wore her cloak with the hood up, as if trying to hide from the world. Thom, Mat, and Perrin stood uncertainly by the door, exchanging nervous glances.

Rand shrugged uncomfortably and walked to the table. He felt Moiraine's and Nynaeve's eyes on him, and his face burned, but he sat down anyway, between the two. Egwene and Perrin followed reluctantly, and finally Mat dragged himself to the table, sitting closer to the middle, next to Rand. Egwene pulled her hood further forward, hiding half her face, and everyone avoided looking directly at anyone else.

— Well — Thom huffed from his spot by the door —, at least that part's over.

— I'm interested — he said, crossing his arms — in knowing how you found us.

— So am I — Moiraine leaned forward, her blue eyes gleaming with interest. — Perhaps you're willing to talk now that Egwene and the boys have been brought to you.

Nynaeve sipped her wine before responding to the Aes Sedai, her fingers tightening around the glass. — There was nowhere for you to go but Baerlon. Still, to be sure, I followed your trail. You zigzagged quite a bit. — She paused, her eyes sparkling with defiance. — You left very few traces, but I can track as well as any man from the Two Rivers, except perhaps Tam al'Thor and Rand himself. — She looked directly at Rand, and he felt a shiver run down his spine.

— I'm here to take the boys back — Nynaeve said sharply. — They belong in Emond's Field, and they never should have left.

— We can't — Rand said, his voice firm but laden with emotion. He felt a momentary relief when his friends spoke at the same time, dividing Nynaeve's furious glare. But he had been the first to speak, and everyone fell silent, staring at him. Even Moiraine leaned back in her chair, watching him over her interlaced fingers. For Rand, it was an effort to meet the Wisdom's eyes. — If we go back to Emond's Field, the Trollocs will come back too. They're… hunting us. I don't know why, but they are. Maybe we can find out why in Tar Valon. And I have many questions that still haven't been answered.

Nynaeve threw her hands up in exasperation. — You sound like Tam. He had them drag him to the village meeting and tried to convince everyone. He'd already tried with the Council. Only the Light knows how his… Lady Alys — she pronounced the name with immense disdain — managed to make him believe.

Rand sighed. The Wisdom was about to deliver one of her famous verbal lashings, and it looked like it would be a memorable one. — Enough — he said, standing up. Everyone stared at him with wide eyes. — I have to leave now. I don't have time for unnecessary arguments, but my word stands: I won't return until I get my answers, whether you like it or not. — He stepped away from the table, his determination clear in every movement.

— Egwene — Moiraine said after a tense moment of silence —, take the others and leave the Wisdom alone with me for a while. — Her face was impassive; Nynaeve straightened at the table, as if preparing for a physical fight.

Egwene jumped to her feet, her desire to act with dignity obviously at odds with her wish to avoid a confrontation with the Wisdom over her untidy hair. But she had no trouble gathering everyone with just a look. Mat and Perrin pushed their chairs back hastily, muttering polite excuses while what they really wanted was to bolt for the door. Even Lan headed there at a signal from Moiraine, taking Thom with him.

Rand was lost in his own thoughts as he walked to his room. When he opened the door, he found a scene that made him pause. Helena, the little girl he had rescued, was sitting on the floor, playing with Lili, his house-elf. The small creature with pointed ears and bright eyes was making objects float in the air, eliciting soft laughter from Helena. The girl was still pale and thin, but she seemed more at ease than when Rand had found her.

— You don't need to be afraid — Rand said, his voice gentle but firm. — My name is Rand al'Thor. — He knelt to be at her level, offering a reassuring smile. — And you must be Helena, right?

The girl hesitated, but after a moment, she murmured: — Yes… How do you know?

— Lili told me — Rand replied, pointing to the elf, who gave an exaggerated bow, her ears twitching. — She's quite the gossip.

Helena let out a small laugh, and Rand felt some of the weight on his shoulders ease. — Do you know what you're doing here? — he asked gently.

— I… I don't know — Helena admitted, her eyes downcast. — I remember being hurt. A big man was chasing me because I took some food. I was stabbed, I don't know by whom, but I managed to run away and hide somewhere.

Rand nodded, understanding. — Well, you're safe here. I promise. — He glanced at Lili, who winked in response. — I need to tell you something, but first I want to know: do you have any family?

— I… I don't — Helena admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. — I've lived on the streets since I was very young, begging to survive. When I can't take the hunger anymore, I end up taking something from someone.

Rand nodded, his expression serious but compassionate. — Well, first I want to tell you why I saved you. I have an ability called magic, something I was born with. And you were born with it too. When it manifested more strongly in you, I could feel it and came to find you. — He paused, letting the words sink in. — This ability has been lost for a long time, and it seems only you and I have awakened it.

Helena looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise and confusion. — Magic? — she whispered, as if the word felt strange in her mouth. — I… I didn't know. I just felt strange things sometimes, like the world around me wasn't exactly what I saw.

Rand smiled encouragingly. — That's normal. At first, it's like that. Magic is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. And I can teach you how to control it, how to use it for good.

Helena was silent for a moment, her hands trembling slightly. — I don't know what to do — she admitted, her voice breaking. — No one has ever helped me before. They always told me I was filth, that beggars like me shouldn't be alive. — The tears spilled over, and her sobs were loud, heartbreaking.

Rand reached out, placing a gentle hand on Helena's shoulder. — I know what it's like to feel alone, like the whole world is against you. But you're not alone anymore. I promise to take care of you, teach you how to use your magic, and make sure you never have to go hungry or hide again.

Helena looked at him, her tears still streaming, but there was a spark of hope in her eyes. — You… you'd really do that for me? — she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

— Yes — Rand replied, his voice firm and full of conviction. — You're not filth, Helena. You're special, and I'll prove that to you every day, if you let me.

Helena was silent for a moment, her fingers nervously playing with the hem of her tunic. Then, finally, she nodded, a tear rolling down her cheek. — I… I want to stay with you — she said, her voice trembling but filled with determination. — I want to learn. I want to be… more than this.

Rand smiled, a warm smile that lit up his face. — Then it's settled. You'll stay with me, and together we'll discover what you're capable of. — He looked at Lili, who was watching the scene with bright eyes. — Lili, prepare something for Helena to eat. She needs to regain her strength.

— Yes, Master Rand! — Lili said, giving a quick bow before disappearing with a snap of her fingers.

Helena looked at Rand, her eyes still wet but now shining with gratitude and hope. — Thank you — she whispered, her voice almost inaudible.

— You don't need to thank me — Rand said softly. — Now, let's take care of you. You're not alone anymore.