Complicated Affairs

[Katreine din Ziago]

The light from the windows was beginning to fail, but Katreine din Ziago adamantly refused to light a lamp. Things were not going her way today, and the hours racing by into evening was just another small irritation among a thousand small irritations. She would lose this battle eventually, even she could not stop the day from turning to night, but she would refuse to concede for as long as possible.

A stack of papers sat haphazardly in a basket on the left side of her desk. It was nearly spilling over, yet its counterpart on the right side of her desk remained stubbornly sparse. Who cared about the net weight of oilfish harvested in Mayene last year or the current asking price of Two River’s tobac in Shol Arbela? And how in the Light had Calina Taborwin; a Taborwin political prodigy, for the love of the Light!; ended up tied in knots by Zamira Dagaron?

There it was; the real issue. Kat was trying not to brood on it, but she kept worrying it like an aching tooth. It would be better to leave it alone, let the heat of the pain cool, but she kept coming back to it again and again. A headache was forming behind her brows that had been furrowed in concentration for hours now, as she tried, and mostly failed, to make any headway on the stack of reports. The mantle of leadership weighed especially heavy on the Amyrlin today. She lowered her dark eyes back to the page in front of her, but the letters swam in front of them and she couldn’t remember if she had been reading about blacksmith output in Fal Moran or the election of a new First Counsel in Far Madding.

The Light blind that woman.

Katreine set the report aside and stood. The legs of her loose indigo breeches swished against each other as she moved to the window that looked out over the White Tower’s most carefully and beautifully curated pleasure garden, meant for visiting dignitaries and royalty. Leaning against the window frame, Kat absently rubbed the tense spot between her eyebrows.

The problem was that Calina was a friend and her most spectacular blunder at such a crucial time felt like a personal failure. This absolutely should not have happened, but Zamira was always a wildcard. Calina knew better than this.

Any hope that the situation could be quietly swept under the rug was dashed before it even had a chance to form, by way of the bearer of the news. If Sariska Atwahar knew that Calina had been walloped like a deckhand shirking duties by a fellow Aes Sedai who should also know better, then it was safe to say that Katreine had been the last person in the Tower to hear the news. How that had managed to happen was something else that needed looking into. Her Keeper had heard sharp words early in the afternoon and had decided to take herself off on an errand away from Kat’s study. It had been some hours now and Veira still had not returned. Kat assumed she would need to apologize for the way she had spoken to her friend.

These things were all coming to a head at a time that didn’t need any more complications. The White Tower was currently in a delicate dance with the Black Tower, each courting the other while they also held each other at bay. A misstep now could be disastrous.

Her mind followed thoughts of the Black Tower through to their logical conclusion: M’Hael al’Vyron. The day was fast approaching that she would bond him, and he her, in a ceremony of monumental importance. There was no stopping that now, not and keeping relations in good standing, but she barely knew the man and soon they were going to be inside each other’s heads. That put her back up like a cornered cat. Kat had never bonded anyone because the one person she wouldn’t have minded in her head was not an option, and now that person had proposed she bond this enigma of a man. She had no personal experience with a Warder bond, but it had always seemed an intensely intimate relationship. To be able to anticipate one another and be in sync with each other in that way…

A soft knock pulled Katreine out of her thoughts. She wasn’t in any better of a mood for finally convincing her mind to think of anything other than the Calina fiasco, but at least her headache was lessening. She turned her back on the window and, finally conceding defeat, embraced saidar to light the lamp on her desk with a thread of fire.

The knock came again, a little louder this time, but still hesitant. Oddly, Kat found that she was as hesitant as the knocks on the door sounded. She was tired, suddenly bone-weary. Shoving the wave of exhaustion down through sheer will, Kat squared her jaw.

“Come in, Calina,” she said as she placed her hand gently on the back of her ornately carved chair. The heavy door pushed slowly open and Kat took a deep breath to steel her resolve.

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina Taborwin was not having a good day.

Pain throbbed dully in her wrist, the backs of her knees, and her tailbone. She hadn't sought any healing, and wouldn't have accepted it if offered. The pain was a reminder of a lesson that Calina intended to never forget. Her control over events was never as absolute as she might believe, and even the slightest moment of confusion could spell disaster. The Light burn Zamira bloody Dagaron.

And, of course, word had spread. It wasn't every day a Sitter was drubbed in public by another Sister, and Zamira had hardly kept things inconspicuous. The Green was hard to read at the best of times, but whether that display was an ill-conceived prank or an attempt to prove a point, it was going to have serious repercussions. Calina had done what damage control she could in the moment by implying the idea for a 'lesson' had been her own idea, and the Gray's mind was turning over a few other possibilities, but...the Light Burn Zamira bloody Dagaron.

And there were so many other problems. She did not need further complications now of all times! Calina, marching through the halls of the Tower, gave a very uncharacteristically disgruntled sigh, audible to one group of Accepted scurrying past. She was still wearing the low-cut gray silk Taraboner gown that had seemed like such a good idea that morning before Zamira bloody Dagaron had made a mess of everything...with a bit of help from Calina herself.

The real problem, aside from Zamira bloody Dagaron, was just ahead. The Keeper's office before the Amyrlin's was, strangely, empty. It was late, but Veira wasn't often apart from Katreine...odd, that. But it was the Amrylin Seat, Katreine din Ziago, that occupied Calina's thoughts now. She stepped up to the door, adopting a warm and hollow smile, and stood for a moment.

Blood and ashes.

Calina had managed a spectacular failure today, or at least an equivalently impressive distraction when they did not need one. Knowing that was...quite painful. Calina hated failure and more than that she hated failing Katreine. Calina respected the Amyrlin, respected her goals and ambitions...and Calina cared for her as a friend. She had precious few of those, few people who saw past the mask and liked what they saw. Calina had promised to help Katreine, to be the arrow the Amyrlin needed to reach her goals. And instead, she'd failed. That stirred up uncomfortable memories.

Calina knocked, less assertive than she'd intended. Silence. Her stomach churned, the whisper of anxiety at the back of her mind growing louder. She knocked again, smile fading and lips pursed behind the translucent half-veil.

“Come in, Calina.”

Katreine--the Amyrlin Seat's--voice. Well. At least she still wants to speak to me. Or maybe yell. Calina entered, closing the door behind her. The Amyrlin stood behind her chair, one arm on the back. She was of a height with Calina, perhaps slightly taller, dark where the Cairhienin was pale, and clad in loose breeches instead of a dress. Katreine din Ziago was not a traditional Amyrlin, and for a moment the pride of following her dimmed the sense of forboding Calina had felt since she'd received the summons. The decidedly cold summons Cal amended, frown twitching into a rueful half grin for a heartbeat.

"Good evening, Mother."

Calina was diffident, holding the mask up...but only for a moment. She didn't have it in her to wear the mask in front of Katreine, not after the day she'd had, not with the threat of the Amyrlin's disappointment ahead of her. She reached up and twitched off the half-veil, rosebud lips twisted into a frown.

"I feel as though I may owe you an apology," she said, almost a question, her tone deprecating. She glanced away as she spoke.

[Katreine din Ziago]

For most of Calina Taborwin’s time in white, Katreine had been out of the Tower. She knew her friend had found herself in Masuri Sokawa’s office on more than one occasion as a novice, but she had never sent Calina herself. She regretted never having had the privilege.

“I feel as though I may owe you an apology,” her friend sounded defeated.

Good. Katreine’s mouth twisted sardonically. She wanted to rage at the other woman, to belittle her and break her down, but it was obvious there was no need. Kat should have known there was nothing she could say to Calina that her friend hadn’t already told herself. Worse, likely. Calina was always her own worst enemy.

Instead, Kat exhaled a great sigh, her shoulders dropping as she tilted her head slightly to the side. She examined her friend as a hawk might regard a field mouse before allowing her expression to soften with an almost imperceptible shake of her head. To the observant eye, it would be obvious that the Amyrlin was wrestling with herself internally and Calina was nothing if not observant.

“You are a political savant, Calina,” Kat began as she walked around to the front of her desk. She leaned back against it almost casually. “Can you explain to me how you ended up in this situation?” Her voice was growing strained from the exertion it took to not shout at the Grey. “Exactly how did a Sitter for the Grey Ajah end up getting soundly beaten by Zamira bloody Dagaron wearing Zamira’s bloody clothes? The Light save me from fools!”

The last came out more forcefully than she had intended and Calina flinched as if Katreine had struck her. Unexpectedly, Kat felt the urge to wrap her arms around her friend, to comfort and soothe, but she was not quite done yet.

“Perhaps I ought to send you to Avyanna so that both sisters can have a go at you.” She watched Calina’s face for a reaction, but she was in control of herself again and only blinked benignly. Good. “No, Zamira would enjoy that too much and that’s the last thing I want. Please sit, Cal.” She motioned to the chair in front of her desk and waited for her friend to gingerly arrange herself on it before she continued. “What in the name of the Light did you hope to gain from this stunt?”

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina studied Katreine din Ziago from the corner of her eye, still glancing away. She'd known the Amyrlin for a long time now, from those days Calina had spent unfocused and without direction and traveling throughout the Westlands. Katreine was many things, but she could be a hard woman. No less to herself, of course; Calina knew Katreine pushed herself harder than anyone. But the Amyrlin was still a hard woman to please, and beneath her reserved exterior there was a tightly wound temper as well. Calina was worried that this turn of events might have roused that temper.

Katreine's sigh drew her gaze back fully. The conflict was apparent in the set of the Amyrlin's shoulders, the slight tilt to her head, the way her expression softened, just ever so slightly. Calina's heart dropped. Whether anger won or not, this error had disappointed Katreine. I'm sorry. Calina held herself very still as Katreine walked to the front of the desk, not even risking a chance of expression.

“You are a political savant, Calina. Exactly how did a Sitter for the Grey Ajah end up getting soundly beaten by Zamira bloody Dagaron wearing Zamira’s bloody clothes? The Light save me from fools!”

The tension in her voice was a familiar one. Calina had always, from her earliest memories, excelled at reading the mood of those around her. Tone of voice was one of the most obvious ways, and Calina could tell it was all Katreine could do to keep from shouting. Calina's expression turned sickly, and as Katreine raised her voice at the end instincts from a lifetime ago forcibly took hold and Calina flinched away, averting her gaze for true, this time. She wasn't willing to meet Katreine's eyes. Calm yourself, fool girl! You are Aes Sedai and a Sitter besides! The self-recriminating anger was good. Useful. Calina could feel the heat leech away from her, surrounding herself in a comfortably icy numb.

“Perhaps I ought to send you to Avyanna so that both sisters can have a go at you.”

Calina looked back at Katreine, face impassive, blinking in response. Control. Though she did feel a slight undercurrent of worry biting through her reserve. It was not completely unheard of for the Amyrlin to send exceptionally foolish sisters to the Mistress of Novices...and Calina had been exceptionally foolish.

“No, Zamira would enjoy that too much and that’s the last thing I want. Please sit, Cal.”

At the sound of the familiar shorthand for her name, a tension went out of her. They could work through this. It could be fixed. Calina could do better. She did as she was bid and settled herself into the chair. It took...several attempts, and the end result was far from comfortable. Calina was not enjoying the novelty of physical pain very much and winced openly as she adjusted herself on the chair.  Katreine still stood, leaning against the desk.

“What in the name of the Light did you hope to gain from this stunt?”

"The stunt was largely unintentional, I assure you," Calina started, glancing up at Katreine with a grimace. The entire debacle was embarrassing just to recall. "I've had a...somewhat difficult making inroads among the older Aes Sedai. Their memories, it seems, run long and are not often inclined to overlook the perceived slights of my years in the novice white. Between that and their general opposition to your initiatives, I've had a harder time than expected corralling Sitters even among the Ajahs that should support you out of hand. I need more allies, and Zamira seemed a likely candidate."

Calina sighed, sitting back in the chair then rapidly correcting herself, barely biting back on a curse. Zamira bloody Dagaron.

"Zamira, despite her eccentricities, is beloved in the Green and respected for her prowess." And, Cal added by implication, one of the strongest Sisters in the Power. "She also had proven...receptive, in the past. I thought her a good choice for an ally. There were various preconditions to that discussion that I did not foresee."

Calina sat in silence for a moment, staring at nothing in particular. In hindsight, of course, she should have called Zamira's bluff and found a different route. But each step had been just enough that it seemed worth the risk, until it had been too late. Somehow, replaying it and relaying the story helped, though. That numbness had faded, leaving in its place bemused frustration. She suddenly felt more human, again.

"The...display in the yard is a setback. I apologize for that, though I'll point out that it is my reputation, and my body, that has suffered for it." She shifted uncomfortably again to accentuate the point. "That said, it wasn't a complete loss. Zamira has agreed to rally support for me in the Hall as best she can, and I believe her aid will be invaluable in progressing our initiatives."

They did need her help. The Bonding Ceremony with the Black Tower was on the horizon, and time had not allowed for any cooling of feelings among the more traditional wing of the Hall. There was still a great deal of opposition to the idea of any alliance between the Towers. Aes Sedai memories were long indeed.

"I also have a few ideas to recover from the damage to my reputation. I encouraged the thought that such 'training' had been my idea in the first place. I hope to 'encourage' some of our particularly recalcitrant sisters that they, too, could benefit from Zamira's guidance. I'm certain she'd be up for it...unless you have any objections?"

That was one route, but it was a risky and undignified one, and Calina would not pursue it if Katreine wanted to avoid any more displays. There would be other ways, and Calina would enjoy excerising her creativity.  She looked up at Katreine and shrugged her shoulders.

"I am sorry, Kat.  It was a mistake, and not one I intend to repeat."

[Katreine din Ziago]

Calm yourself, girl, we haven’t been washed overboard yet. Zamira Dagaron was a tempest, to be sure, but she had not sunk them yet; there was a chance that Katreine could correct course and steer them into port.

“I need more allies and Zamira seemed a likely candidate. There were various preconditions to that discussion that I did not foresee.”

Of course there were. There always are with Zamira. She may have seemed a likely candidate, but Kat would have sooner swam with fangfish than request Zamira’s help. There was no mistaking their current predicament as anything other than a setback. Perhaps the end results would be worth it, perhaps not. Zamira had a way of delivering on her promises in a way that often left the receiver of her help facing other unforeseen consequences. But the bargain had been agreed to and the price paid; there was nothing left to do but see it through now.

Given the opportunity, Kat would have recommended almost any other course of action, but she had gotten where she was by listening to the sound advice of others who were better at political maneuvering and not the other way around. Calina was one whose advice Kat frequently sought. She had been brought into Kat’s trusted inner circle for her desire to leave the world a better place for her existence, and also, in no small part, because she was so skilled in the political arena.

Veira had taken notice of Calina when she was still a girl, even then Veira had grander plans for Kat than establishing a clinic here or there, and Calina fit perfectly into those plans. Left to her own devices, Kat would have preferred a simpler life, but once the idea had been put in front of her that she could do more, and better, there was no going back. Calina wasn’t the first Veira had sent Kat’s way and she wasn’t the last, but she was the most relied upon.

“I encouraged the thought that such 'training' had been my idea in the first place. I hope to 'encourage' some of our particularly recalcitrant sisters that they, too, could benefit from Zamira's guidance. I'm certain she'd be up for it...unless you have any objections?”

When Calina spoke about strategy, Kat generally listened. This was why. Even in the midst of chaos, she was always able to find some way to stay afloat. No sinking ship would ever take Calina Taborwin down with it.

Kat snorted at the thought of demure Sana Aravell wallopped around the Yard. Amusing though the idea might be, it would be counterproductive. Though several Sitters immediately sprang to mind at the suggestion, Kat had many objections to such a plan.

“I am sorry, Kat. It was a mistake, and not one I intend to repeat.” Calina sounded abashed but sincere.

“See that you don’t. And for the love of the Light, do not suggest anyone seek out Zamira’s ‘services.’” Kat straightened and turned her back to her friend. Calina was not the only one who had played the fool. “I believe Veira has gone off to research some obscure tradition she thinks might be useful for the bonding ceremony, your input would probably be appreciated.” There was no need to say that Calina had a way of calming Veira’s temper that Katreine herself lacked. On a whim, she reached for ink and paper. She scrawled a few words and folded the paper before turning back to Calina. “Would you mind delivering this to her while you’re at it? I’d do it myself but...”

Kat flicked her wrist absently, allowing Calina to take from that what she would. The truth of the matter was that Kat would likely stick her foot in her mouth and fan the flames of Veira’s anger higher, but that was better left unsaid.

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina smirked slightly at Katreine's snort. Turning Zamira on some of the more annoying obstacles in her life would most certainly be entertaining. Light, after the display this afternoon...Calina winced as she shifted in her seat again. Zamira bloody Dagaron, you'd better be worth all this.

“See that you don’t. And for the love of the Light, do not suggest anyone seek out Zamira’s ‘services.’”

Calina sighed but nodded as Kat turned away. That was reasonable, much as she hated to admit it. There would be other ways to ease the strain on her reputation. And, frankly, Calina didn't care much for her reputation, except as it impacted Katreine's plans. She was fine with playing the villain or the incompetent if the situation called for it; such things were transitory and part of the mask she wore.

“I believe Veira has gone off to research some obscure tradition she thinks might be useful for the bonding ceremony, your input would probably be appreciated.”

Calina arched an eyebrow towards Katreine's back, especially as the other woman began to jot down a note. Veira's absence was beginning to become more clear, and that clarity wasn't due to Calina's highly developed political senses, either.

Calina had known Katreine for years, and Veira for even longer. The pair were as close as two women could be, and their relationship could at times rival any storm in its destructiveness. They needed each other, but that didn't mean things were always serene.

“Would you mind delivering this to her while you’re at it? I’d do it myself but...”

It was Calina's turn to let out a snort. She took the folded letter with a nod; hopefully, Calina would be able to settle her old mentor's temper before the two decided that one Aes Sedai thrashing wasn't enough for the day.

"Of course, Katreine. I'd even be happy to let you know what sort of wind to expect later this evening, should a storm look particularly likely."

Calina's voice was all sweetness, but there was a gently mocking twist to her smile as she glanced out at the clear dusky sky. It had been a long time, by her reckoning, since Calina had been forced to reckon with romantic entanglements; not since her years in Cairhien, and she couldn't resist the urge for some gentle teasing.

Kat and Veira would be fine, they always were.

Calina stood, wincing again at the pain she'd manage to accrue over the day. Zamira bloody Dagaron.... Her dress offered nowhere to tuck the letter so she held it, and gave Katreine a more genuine smile. Then she gave a little bow and moved toward the door. With a hand raised to open it she stopped, glancing back over her shoulder.

"We'll fix things, Kat. All of them. I believe it."

Then she stepped out into the Keeper's office, closing the door behind her. The night was still young, and there was work to do, though all Calina wanted was a bath and her bed. She moved purposefully through the quiet halls of the Tower, moving down towards the yard and the stables. Katreine had said that Veira was doing research, which implied that the Keeper was in the library, but Calina knew the Aiel woman better than that. When they fought, Veira sought out something that fascinated her still, even all these years after she'd left the Waste: horses.

And that was where Calina found her. The tall woman was leaning over one of the stalls, not quite close enough to touch the horse inside. Calina smirked and picked her way through the stable, trying to be careful of the hideously expensive dress on the dirty stable floor.

"They probably won't bite you, you know."

Calina spoke up so Veira would hear her approach, though she had little doubt that the Aiel had picked Calina's presence up on entering the building even if she hadn't shown it. The Cairhienin had long memories about the Aiel's prowess, after all.

"They have to be familiar enough with you by now."

She stopped beside Veira, not quite looking up at the Keeper in a silence that had the depth of long acquaintance. Veira had known Calina since she was little more than a child, had opened her eyes to an important truth, and had saved her from making some very big mistakes. She owed both Katreine and Veira more than she could say, so teasing aside it always hurt to see the pair in pain. The silence stretched, and finally Calina broke it, dropping the line completely deadpan.

"Zamira bloody Dagaron spent the afternoon knocking me up and down the practice yard with a stick."

[Veira]

The sun was rapidly descending toward the western horizon, but inside the Third Depository, Veira Sedai had lost track of time. The tall redhead leaned against a ladder stretching up to the very top shelves, an open book balanced in one hand and two others tucked beneath her arm. She’d had no luck so far. These three seemed the most likely to contain the information she sought, but it was even more likely that the information didn’t exist. They were treading in uncharted territory after all. There were no traditions surrounding the bonding of an Amyrlin to a M’Hael because such a thing had never been done.

Veira’s mouth twisted at the thought and she closed the book with a snap. She was the kind of woman who could lose herself in a book; good or bad, interesting or dry, the content mattered little. She could lose herself for hours, entire days sometimes, fully absorbed in the pursuit of knowledge. While reading it was easy to detach herself and ignore trivial things like emotions or physical needs but brought back to the here and now, her stomach protested loudly. Perhaps it was time to finish up here and get dinner; she wasn’t making much progress anyhow.

She slipped the books she held into her bag slung across the back of a ladder backed chair and made her way to the front desk of the depository. The Brown behind the desk smiled as she wrote down the books that Veira was taking and handed them back.

The path Veira chose through the Tower grounds took her passed the great stables where the residents of the White Tower kept their horses. Grooms scurried here and there leading horses inside to be groomed, fed, and stabled for the night. Horses were creatures of habit, those who were still outside congregated near the stables waiting their turn to be led inside.

Veira loved looking at the giant, terrifying animals, and so made a detour into the stables to pass down the long rows of stalls. She paused at one stall, marveling at the beast inside. He lowered his great, black head to eat from his food trough, the muscles of his jaw and neck rippling as he chewed. Absently, he kicked at the floor of his stall, pushing the fresh straw around. Veira tentatively reached her arm over the wall.

“They probably won’t bite you, you know,” a familiar voice said from behind her.

“Light!” She breathed in a hiss, snatching her hand back and spinning to face the woman who had spoken. Had she not been an Aes Sedai, her face would have burned red at being caught unaware.

“They have to be familiar enough with you by now.” The smaller woman joined her beside the horse stall. Veira turned back to look at the creature within. Calina was likely right, but it was impossible to tell what was going on in their heads. There was an intelligence in their eyes she found alluring, but she couldn’t understand how anyone would want to climb onto the back of a horse with the uncertainty of knowing what it might do. True, they were trained, but it seemed naive to presume to tell an animal that large what to do.

A comfortable silence fell over the two women as they watched the black stallion eat his evening meal. Veira’s stomach gave a twinge, reminding her of her reason for leaving the library. She was just about to ask the other woman to join her for their own dinner when Calina spoke up again.

“Zamira bloody Dagaron spent the afternoon knocking me up and down the practice yard with a stick.”

There was no love lost between Veira and Zamira; their mutual animosity stretched longer than the lives of most. Of course, being Aes Sedai, their disdain for each other would likely continue to simmer for centuries, unless something brought it to the boiling point.

Then there was that bloody sister of hers. Avyanna and Kat had been pillow friends once, half a lifetime ago. The Amyrlin insisted they were only friends now and Veira had to accept that, seeing as the Oaths meant Kat couldn't lie, but she didn't trust Avyanna anyway. Today she felt especially prickly over the breathy laughter and lingering touches they often exchanged in conversation. It was indecent, at the very least.

Further still, at the heart of the problem, was that great oaf of a man, Jadin al'Vyron. Well, perhaps he wasn't an oaf. In fact, he seemed perfectly decent, Veira supposed, but that made it all the more frustrating. Veira heaved a great sigh and turned to look at Calina.

“I heard,” she said dryly. “Kat’s not pleased with you, but I suppose you know that by now. I’d be willing to teach Zamira bloody Dagaron a lesson if you’d like. I hope you’ve learned a lesson from this as well, even if it’s only to not trust that woman as far as you can throw her.”

Veira had sneaking suspicions about the Green sister. She hadn’t shared them with anyone though, not even Katreine, because she couldn’t prove them. Not yet, at least.

[Calina Taborwin]

Calina blinked, then hid a smirk behind her hand at Veira's gasped out "Light!" and spin. It wasn't quite the reaction she'd expected, but maybe it was a relief that she wasn't the only one who could be caught off guard.

“I heard. Kat’s not pleased with you, but I suppose you know that by now. I’d be willing to teach Zamira bloody Dagaron a lesson if you’d like. I hope you’ve learned a lesson from this as well, even if it’s only to not trust that woman as far as you can throw her.”

"Blood and bloody ashes," Calina muttered darkly, crossing her arms and glaring up at Veira. "Is there anyone who hasn't heard by now?"

Calina sighed, then waved a hand dismissively.

"And no, thank you. Kat wants it done and over with."

That was probably for the best, but she couldn't help but imagine Veira throwing Zamira about bodily. Maybe someday. She sighed again, then looked back at the stall door and the horse that towered over her.  There was some real anger there, which surprised her.  Perhaps her pride had been wounded more strongly than she'd thought.  Calina had never had been much for defending her own reputation, even in Cairhien.  The more analytical part of her mind found that quite interesting.  With only a hint of bitterness, Calina continued.

"Besides, Zamira...she's not that bad. She's given her word that she'll raise her voice to support the Amyrlin in the Hall."

Left unsaid was how much they needed the help. The Reds and Greens both had been recalcitrant, and Calina very much doubted she'd be able to sway any of the Reds when they chose Sitters like Neserin Odessa. Zamira's strength and seniority would be invaluable in cutting into that bloc.

She hesitated then, running a hand over the folded letter Katreine had passed to her.

"To the matter and hand. Kat said you might need some help with your research. She also asked me to deliver this."

Her tone was neutral, though her eyes flicked up to scan the taller woman's face. The tension between Kat and Veira had a noticeable--and understandable--source and Calina didn't want to disturb it any further. Veira was in this place largely through her own decisions. The Brown had a brilliant mind, but she hadn't quite reasoned out the consequences, this time.

She held it out and up to Veira, then managed a small smile.  Everything would be fine, in time.