It had not occurred to Lysabel that Markus might react in such a way to an ogier. That was foolish of course, even in Tar Valon the builders were rare. Most of the ogier built cities dated to shortly after the Breaking, and only in Tar Valon did they visit regularly maintaining the Tower and the city at the behest of the Aes Sedai. Lysabel didn’t mind being wrong, but she despised being foolish.

 

“Let us take tea Master Kadal,” Lysabel suggested and the ogier nodded, taking a seat on one of the divans. The furniture creaked beneath the ogier in protest and the overall effect was somewhat ridiculous, like an adult taking a seat on a child’s toy. 

 

“You honor me Aes Sedai,” Kadal rumbled, “I had heard you were in the city and you had been given the run of the Library.” Further discussion was interrupted by a pair of serving girls entering carrying trays on which steaming pots of Tremalking black, cubes of sugar and pots of milk. One of the cups on the tray was very large, sized for the ogier, and it would take most of a pot just to fill it. At least the shock of actually meeting an ogier seemed to have stopped Markus’ carping for a time. Lysabel waved the servants away and poured the tea herself before the ogier could attempt the task. She added a little sugar and milk to hers and poured some for Markus which she left black.

 

“I’m afraid I have a matter I need to discuss with you Master Kadal,” Lysabel told the ogier as she sipped at her tea.

“I assumed as much,” the ogier rumbled, his big shovel like teeth baring in a smile. “I am not so interesting a conversationalist that Aes Sedai and great warriors seek me out.” 

 

“Outrider, if you would,” Lysabel prompted, making a gesture to the Borderlander. Markus hesitated for only a moment before setting the severed limb on the table, as far from the tea set as it would go and unfolded its covering. Kadal made a sound like a flock of angry bees.

“Aes Sedai…” Kadal said in obvious shock.

“I’m sorry Master ogier, but I need you to look at this,” she stretched out a finger, not quite touching the arm. Kadal huffed out a breath that would have fluffed the sail of a ship and forced himself to look.

“It looks… it looks like the symbol of a waygate Aes Sedai, you must know of them?” the ogier asked. Lysabel nodded her head in agreement.

 

“Is there a waygate north of here, perhaps one or two hundred leagues?” she asked intently. The ogier made a rumbling sound that might have indicated he was thinking.

“I have never seen it Aes Sedai, but there are legends of a lost gate. My father told me that it was at the gate to the World’s end, in a valley marked by two white hills.” The ogier explained.