"I think going forward is the best course, as much as I hate to admit it." He said, putting a bit of pressure on the haunches of the horse with his heels to pick up the pace a tad. "No villager would follow us into the mountains, and I doubt Tanil or Deslan would think we went the way they expected us to travel toward just yesterday. Too obvious. I also don't think they would seek some sort of revenge for Darius, either." Ali remarked, muttering the last bit as an afterthought, the two young travelers bouncing as their horse cantered up a slope. Mave asked why he thought that, though he didn't know if she truly was ignorant. Sometimes he felt she was simply wishing to study his reaction and casting mysterious glances at him every now and then. Mave was young, but she certainly was an Aes Sedai. 

"Because Darius was a darkfriend," He explained. "While I doubt they knew that, they mustn't have been close. If they were both darkfriends as well, why did only one of them go after me? If it had been all three you would have never found me this morning." 

The thought sent a shiver up his back. Mortal combat the previous evening after no sleep gave a man grim thoughts, but they needed to press on. 

"Good point. Well I-" Mave started, though both her and Ali froze, their veins ice when they heard an unexpected horn in the distance. It was small at first, but the din rose until it echoed across the valleys west of Illian. Ali found that, after he had his fright, the horn wouldn't have come from Hollowbrook or anywhere near them. In fact it came from Illian, which confused him to no end. Mave bid him continue to ride, for they were in the last edge of the forest. The trees here grew thick, like a candle burning brightest before it goes out. 

A minute later, just as they had their horse clop along another small plateua that lifted them above the tree line, another horn sounded. This time they could see what was happening. 

Upon the plains north of Illian in the far distance, a column of men and horses could be seen marching toward the city. It was more men than Ali had ever seen in one place. He felt it was a conquering army come to take the city, and his keen eyes saw the banners were blue with a golden sigil along it. Perhaps a bird or a fish? From these leagues away he could not tell, even with their enormous banners and their high vantage point. Ali felt something tickle his skin, which was a telltale sign that Mave was drawing in the one power, likely to help her see. 

"I think..." She began, shaking her head. "I think that is the retinue of Mayene." 

"Are they going to destroy Illian?" Ali asked. 

Mave snorted. Sometimes Ali had a good mind for fighting and warfare and other times his farmboy truly shined. "No, there's only two hundred men or so, I think. Likely the Winged Guard escorting the city's ruler. The First I think they're called. The ruler I mean." She placed a finger on her lip as she tried to remember. "I vaguely remember a few of my sisters talking about the First of Mayene. A real trollop they called her." 

"Her?" He asked. He was used to a the village council and the women's council, but anyone who ruled over many people must have been royalty. "Who is she?" 
[hr] 

Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron, First of Mayene, Blessed of the Light, Defender of the Waves, High Seat of House Paeron sent her horse into an excitable canter, moving the beast expertly yet impatiently before her officers as they merely trotted along in a brisk order of march. The wind upon the plains whipped her thick, richly dark hair in a fashion that somehow accentuated her eyes and full bosom. Her horse whinnied audibly, echoing the thoughts of its rider. She raised an eyebrow at the Lord Captain, clearly wishing for them to pick up the pace. 

"Your Grace, we are merely a few miles from the city gates." Lord Captain Bertain Gallenne said, his manner as grim as always. The fellow wore a black eyepatch that only increased his dour look, along with the greyed facial hair he had acquired. He really only spoke hotly in terms of war or combat, or in defense of Mayene and its ruler. Below him, his tall black gelding stamped rhythmically along the path. He spoke to her like she was still the girl of twelve that had assumed the throne. "Do try to remain calm for a bit longer." 

"We have been riding for a week, Bertain." She complained, groaning. To her commanders she showed her true feelings on matters, but she and Bertain both knew that as soon as they entered the city gates she would be as cooly imperious as always. The Lord Captain (as well as many of the older guards) looked to Berlain like a favored niece, but he knew how effective both her wiles and charm could be from the near impossible agreements she had already made with keeping Tear off their backs all of these years. "My rump is sore and I need a good bath if I am to convince these Lords of anything, much less an alliance against Tear. If we continue at this pace we'll have another hour to go!" 

Behind the both of them rode a red faced youth, even younger than the First. Havien Nurelle was his name, recently appointed to be First Lieutenant. He was always so preoccupied with keeping his newly appointed position and not disappointing Bertain that he could cause his own horse to trip over itself, though everyone knew him to be true of his word and at least passable with a blade. Bertain looked back to the lad and sighed, nodding for him to give the orders. 

"Sir?" Havien asked as Berelain moved on ahead. He still wasn't used to the Lord Commander's gestures. Like as not he hadn't been listening. 

"Tell them to get a move on!" He said to the youth, just before sighing. At least Berelain wasn't riding at a gallop. If they moved much faster, the gatemen would think they [i]were[/i] invading!