A secret letter

[Rosyanna Somares]

 113 FA, Adar

Zamira Sedai,

The most curious thing happened when I arrived. Dorevar Salloy, the man who greeted me, indicated he was a friend. I was unsure how to respond since he was, before that day, unknown to me. Then I remembered that before my injury someone had told me we could be twins if my hair were darker. So I thought, perhaps he had mistaken me or he was possibly a mutual friend? You're the only friend I have who gets out enough to make other friends. At any rate, I'm not sure what to do about it now. I've probably made things awkward by ignoring it with him, but I don't intend to bring it up again. I just had to tell you about it.

I sent my report of the temporary dorms they made for the Accepted to Avyanna Sedai. They have given us half a floor of their barracks to ourselves and the only way over to the other half is out through the hall. The door of which, is right next to mine. Your sister doubts we will fill even half a floor, she says not many seem eager to volunteer.

I met with the man running the school now, Julian Damodred. He seems to barely be holding himself together if you ask me, though I'm not sure how many of these blackcoats have noticed that.

I hope this letter finds you well and in good health,

Rosyanna

***

Rosyanna sealed the letter with a bit of wax and then laid a weave over it to incinerate it if it was opened by any other hand than Zamira's. She had spoken in code anyway, the ward was just in case a scrap survived the flames. Rosyanna took no chances. She was sure that Zamira would understand her subtle words. No one had ever said they looked like twins, and her injury happened before Zamira had even been born. She would know what type of friend Rosyanna was referring to and understand that she had not responded to him on the matter and would not without orders.

Tag: Zamira Dagaron

[Zamira Dagaron]

Rosyanna Sedai,

Dorevar Salloy, you say. That is most interesting indeed, sister, as I have no recollection of ever meeting the man or hearing his name spoken by any of my outside connections. However, if this man does know me but has mistaken you for me, then I'd only be too delighted to reconnect with him. True friends within the Black Tower are always appreciated in times such as these. As far as making things awkward, I have no doubt Asha'man Salloy will understand once I've explained the situation to him. Perhaps he'd be a fine choice for me to bond with, as I have been without a Warder for several years now. But first, I must learn if he is a friend of old or a man with a shared vision. Regardless, I will know as much once I've arrived at the Black Tower.

Avyanna is rarely wrong in such matters; my sister is far more astute than I. Still, it is disheartening to learn so few Aes Sedai are willing to work in harmony with the Asha'man. Tensions between the Two Towers haven't been this high since Rahlin's war. Still, I am glad the blackcoats have set space aside for you there. I cannot wait to see the arrangements for myself.

Poor Julian Damodred. It is no secret that he and the late M'Hael were quite close. Some whispered rumors even suggest the pair were lovers. So perhaps I can ease his burden by providing the friendly support he has lost and so desperately requires.

May the Creator's light protect you,
Zamira

***

Just as Rosyanna had done, Zamira sealed the letter with wax and a weave to cause it to incinerate should anyone open it besides Rosyanna. The weave was unnecessary; as to anyone else, the letter read as a simple correspondence to a friend. But Rosyanna would know better. She'd be able to interpret Zamira's coded words.

As for stationing herself at the Black Tower, Zamira's actions could quickly be overlooked if she claimed to do it out of a desire to reform the Asha'man and Aes Sedai bonds. But her real purpose was far more profound than simply learning if Dorevar was a darkfriend or not. First, she needed to see for herself if the rumors were true of Gareth Trakand's return to the Black Tower. Zamon may have been foolish enough to lose his hold on the boy, but she would not make the same mistake. He'd be hers again; she'd see to that. But until then, Zamira would have to settle for Julian Damodred. If the man was as unhinged as Rosyanna claimed, perhaps she could persuade him to join the Dark. Such a feat surely would gain her favor with Moghedien.

And so, with little haste, Zamira packed a few of her belongings into a bag, filled out the necessary paperwork to be delivered to the Green Sitters, and made her way to the nearest gateway. After all, the deeds of the spider took precedence over everything else.