Copy Protection Void Part 4 (Patreon)

Nynaeve focused on Mist once the older boys had left. "How are you wrapped up in this mess?"

"The crystal gave me knowledge of a possible future, I know things I shouldn't and I can see the corruption around cultists. I would really appreciate it if you don't tell anyone about that particular ability because the Dark One is also the Lord of the Grave, he can get information out of his dead followers. I'm not actually sure if he can pull that shit with people that aren't his minions but I'm not willing to risk spreading the information around if I can help it."

"Can you sense the corruption in anyone in town?" Moiraine asked, curious how his ability worked.

Mist shook his head. "Just the guards and Fain, the Coplins and Congars are annoying and stupid but they're not actually cultists."

"Fain was a darkfriend?" Nynaeve asked in surprise.

"Is it really that surprising considering the stories he liked to tell?" Egwene's clone asked as she leaned back in her chair, closed her eyes and worked on lightly slipping into the World of Dreams, wanting to be able to toss herself out if she ran into trouble.

"I guess not," Nynaeve admitted.

"I'll be a bit distracted, I'm going to dreamwalk and check on the waygate," Egwene's clone told them, wanting to make sure they didn't think she was ignoring them.

"Thank you," Egwene told her clone.

Moiraine glanced at the clone that looked like she was trying to drift off then glanced between Mist and Egwene. "Do you have any names of members of the Black Ajah?"

"Sheriam, Liandrin, Alviarin and Galina spring to mind. I know there are over two hundred Black Sisters but I can't remember all of the names," Mist admitted.

"Two hundred?" Moiraine asked, feeling like she'd gotten punched in the gut both over the number and because of Sheriam's name. "I knew they existed, I didn't know there were that many."

"Is that why you don't want to go to the tower?" Nynaeve asked Egwene.

"One of the reasons," Egwene replied. "I spent more time doing chores than learning to channel in the Tower, I'm not signing my name in the book when I don't need the training. If events hadn't resulted in me leaving the Tower for a while I probably would have been a novice or accepted when the last battle came and wouldn't have had the skills to fight."

"What Ajah did you pick?" Moiraine asked, curious what she'd claim and not quite sure if she believed the girl had managed to make Aes Sedai in two years, something that should have been impossible.

Egwene shook her head. "I never picked an Ajah, if I'd been given a choice I would have picked blue or green."

"Were you banished?" Nynaeve asked, curious if she'd been too stubborn or pissed someone off by asking too many questions.

"No, the woolheads elected me as the Amyrlin seat," Egwene admitted, wishing she had a way to prove it since it sounded implausible enough that it might as well be impossible.

Moiraine stared at Egwene for a couple of seconds, trying to figure out if she was lying and why she'd pick such an unbelievable lie. "Why and how?"

"Everyone in the Tower in Exile had their own reasons so I'll start with the how. The rules for raising an Amyrlin don't actually require that the person summoned to take the position actually be an Aes Sedai. They just state that the Amyrlin is Aes Sedai, which basically means that if you summon an accepted to fill the position, they become an Aes Sedai."

Mist coughed. "Welcome to the Tower where they follow the letter of the laws and flay the spirit over hot coals when it suits them."

"That sounds like they were desperate," Nynaeve said.

"That was certainly part of it," Egwene agreed. "I was also from the same town as the Dragon Reborn and one of the strongest channelers they'd seen in over a thousand years. The hall in exile also knew that Elaida would make an example out of anyone that took the position if they failed and I think some of the Aes Sedai that weren't blue wanted to have the option to slip back into the tower eventually."

"Why would being blue matter?" Nynaeve asked, trying to ignore the fact that Egwene said the Dragon Reborn was someone they knew.

Mist sighed. "Elaida Sedai is part of the red ajah, they've hated the blue ajah for the better part of two thousand years because a blue replaced the bitch that stabbed Manetheren in the back."

"Language," Nynaeve scolded. "Why would they carry a grudge that long?"

"Probably because of the black ajah, they don't want people working together so they pick at old wounds and make sure they never heal," Mist replied with a sigh. "I've never understood why anyone would be willing to help a creature like the Dark One, the only way he can give people immortality is by being at least partially free and if he's free the world is rotting. What is the point of living forever in a nightmare?"

"Are you saying he can actually give people immortality?" Moiraine asked.

"I don't know, Aginor and Balthamel were withered to the point where they should have died by the time they escaped their prison so there's certainly some protection from death but they looked like corpses and we don't have a bunch of immortal darkfriends running around so I suspect his ability to hand out immortality is more limited than he'd like people to believe."

"They were basically rotting when we saw them at the Eye of the World," Egwene offered.

"On the other hand he was able to grab the souls of most of the forsaken when they died and place them in new bodies so there's obviously something to the claims that he can give people immortality or at least a second chance," Mist replied.

"Most?" Moiraine asked, wondering if there was a trick they could exploit to keep them from coming back.

"Balefire rips someone out of the pattern before the Dark One can collect their soul. Asmodean wasn't brought back, either because the Dark One lacked the ability to revive him since Rand cut his connection with the Dark One or because the Dark One decided not to. Aginor died a second time without anyone hitting him with balefire but he wasn't brought back."

"Do you have a theory?" Moiraine asked.

"If I had to guess, I'd say there's either a limit on the amount of times someone can be brought back or something about Shadar Logoth kept him from bringing Aginor back. There's a chance that he just decided not to bring him back but that seems wasteful, especially since he had male channelers that he could have had Aginor teaching. Of course, as far as I know he never brought any of the 'normal' darkfriends or Aes Sedai back so he probably needs a link."

"Did you pick up any more crystals from the battle?" Moiraine asked thoughtfully.

"No but I picked up the ability to create boots that will let you walk or run twenty percent faster for the same amount of effort. Do you want a pair?" Mist asked as he mentally opened his clothing menu and conjured a pair of goat hide boots. "They're also enchanted to stay clean and dry."

"I wouldn't object to being faster," Moiraine said as she accepted the boots, wanting to run some tests when she had a chance.

"They'll also change size to fit," Egwene added, rather amused at the look of disbelief on Nyneave's face. "Speaking of crystals, who are you going to give the blacksmithing crystals to?"

"Bodewhin can make heartstone, I'm not actually sure if her talents extend to aligning the matrix, the information I was given has some glaring holes," Mist complained.

"Cuendillar?" Moiraine asked in surprise. "That has been lost since the Breaking."

"I had some interesting adventures and picked up a couple of tricks," Egwene said as she inverted the weave for a ball of light, making sure that Moiraine couldn't see the weave. "Bode should have the talent for it but we'll have to make sure before we waste the crystals."

Moiraine stared at the ball of light that she couldn't sense then glanced at Mist. "Can I place another shield on you?"

"By all means," Mist replied as he studied the weave for the ball of light, trying to figure out how they were different.

Moiraine frowned as the ball of light didn't even flicker when she placed the shield on Mist. "How much do you know about channeling saidin?"

"Are you saying that Mist can channel?" Nynaeve asked warily.

"No, I don't think he can," Moiraine replied as she dropped the source, letting the shield vanish since the light hadn't even flickered. "He knows things that he shouldn't, I'm curious if that extends to channeling."

Egwene let her ball of light collapse and let go of the source.

"I know that channeling saidar is like floating in a river, you have to guide the power or you'll get overwhelmed. Some Aes Sedai think you have to be calm but Nyneave is living proof that you don't actually have to be calm to channel. Saidin on the other hand requires control, you have to force the magic to do what you want or it will destroy you. You also have to deal with the fact that the source is both the sweetest nectar you'll ever taste and unbelievably foul because of the taint. I'm not sure if the ability to draw in heat without getting burned to death immediately is a function of saidin or a function of a male channeler, the information isn't clear."

"How much do you know about Logain?" Moiraine asked.

"With the exception of calling himself the Dragon Reborn, he's a remarkably sane channeler or at least he was in the other world. He also has the ability to see ta'veren which is what makes him aware that he isn't the Dragon Reborn. He helped Rand train channelers."

"Does that mean Logain will escape?" Moiraine asked.

"He only managed to escape after he was severed. He spent time in the Tower before escaping when Elaida pulled her coup. He also helped Siuan and Leane escape and survive the trip to where the rebels were so I can't really hold things against him, especially since he did it peacefully."

"I found the waygate, it shouldn't be that hard to find in the flesh," Egwene's clone said as she pulled herself completely awake. "It's going to take most of the day to get there and I don't know how many shadowspawn we'll find."

"We're going to need a group in case they've sent more," Mist pointed out.

"What are you talking about?" Nynaeve demanded.

"Dreamwalkers can slip partially into the World of Dreams and basically jump around the entire world in the dream world," Mist told her. "It's a good way to scout an area, if you can avoid getting killed by nightmares."

"Nightmares can't kill people," Nynaeve argued.

"They can in the World of Dreams," Egwene's clone warned her. "I'll give you lessons when I have a chance to find a sleepweaver, they let people without the talent explore the World of Dreams."

Egwene shook her head. "Not until she can defend herself."

Mist yawned. "I'm going to grab something to drink then get some sleep, it's been a long day and it's probably going to be a longer day tomorrow."

"I'll help you with the waygate but then we need to leave," Moiraine offered. "Do you want to come with us?"

"No but I have a feeling that I need to make sure the boys don't run into trouble in Baerlon, there are a couple of whitecloaks and some darkfriends and you should probably invite the gleeman, Thom would be useful," Mist suggested.

"Sleep well, I've got a couple of things to discuss with Moiraine," Egwene told him, wanting to show off some of the skills she'd picked up and trade stories so that she'd believe her.

"Have fun," Mist told her then left, wanting a chance to unwind a bit and figure out what he was supposed to do now that he was stuck in another world unless they actually managed to kill a god.

"I'll catch up later, I want to start making a list of channelers," Egwene's clone told Egwene then followed Mist out of the room, not all that interested in showing off her skills.

Mist walked over and sat down at one of the empty tables, glad that the place had cleared out a bit as people wandered off to check on things and get sleep if they could. "How long do you think it will take until you can make a gateway?"

"I can probably make one right now using the angreal that you gave Egwene but I'd rather give it a couple of days in case we run into trouble with the waygate," the clone replied in a whisper. "What are you thinking?"

"I was thinking about the Kin's storeroom but it feels a bit like stealing when we don't have anyone that can make ter'angreal," Mist admitted.

"Just a bit," Egwene's clone agreed as she glanced over at where Calle Coplin was chatting with Jaim Torfinn, not sure what to think about the fact that the village flirt had the potential to learn to channel. "I don't think the tower actually checked all of the novices for the talent and no one checked the people past novice age for the ability to channel, at least not before the last battle which means there's a chance that someone in town has the ability."

"Do you remember how to test for it?" Mist asked.

"Elayne explained the theory when she tested me," the clone replied, a bit annoyed that she didn't have the talent or at least hadn't had the talent in her memories. "I should probably run through the rest of my talents and make sure that everything lines up."

"Probably. Have you sensed anyone with potential yet?" Mist asked, having noticed the clone staring at one of the villagers.

"Calle, Marce, Hilde and my sister," she replied, a bit annoyed that the town flirt had almost as much potential strength as she did, if only because she knew the woman would be a problem.

"What do you need love?" Calle teased as she turned to look at Egwene and Mist, enjoying winding people up since everyone in town was a bit uptight when it came to flirting and showing some skin for a couple of free drinks and some spending money from the merchant guards that swung through every year.

Mist gave the woman that he was fairly sure was Calle Coplin a smile as she seemed nice enough, just a bit out of place for the village. He glanced at where the old man with a gleeman's cloak was paying a bit too much attention to their conversation. 'I really need to get a copy of Thom, he'd make a great music teacher.'

The clone held her hand out and conjured a small ball of light over her hand. "I was wondering if you wanted to learn to channel?"

Calle stared at the flame that Egwene had conjured. "What's the catch?"

"Once you start, you're going to need to finish at least a couple of weeks of training or you'll probably end up dead," the clone replied as she floated the ball of light passed her sister and over Hilde Barran then set it over the table where Marce was reading and tied it off there so she wouldn't have to maintain it.

Calle pulled her attention off the flame and focused on Egwene. "How much?"

"Twenty hours of community service once you've learned how to channel. Every channeler has talents, either healing, controlling the weather or working with stone or metal. We're going to need help making sure the village is safe, can I count on you?" the clone asked.

"You can count on me as long as you don't expect me to wear a stupid uniform or stop flirting with people," Calle told her, not seeing a problem with donating time for the safety of the village.

"Good enough," the clone replied as Hilde and Marce made their way over to their table.

"What's going on?" Hilde asked.

"We're recruiting for a magic school?" the clone replied with a grin.

"You're recruiting for the White Tower?" Hilde asked in disbelief.

"Better, we've arranged to have a teacher brought in," the clone replied with a smile, figuring it would be easier to teach people if she used an inverted and tied off Mirror of Mists weave to look like someone older and not from the village. "We're going to be building a school in the West Wood so we can learn and won't have to leave."

"Unless you want to, I'm sure there will be plenty of chances for field trips," Mist suggested.

"Field trips?" Marce asked in confusion.

"Educational trips to various locations, like visiting Baerlon if we wanted to see how people smelt ore or if we wanted to see a couple different trades," Mist explained.

"Oh," Marce said. "That would be great."

Elisa al'Vere walked over. "What's going on?"

"I'm trying to recruit people for a school to learn magic," the clone replied as she wove another ball of light, hung it over the table and tied the weave off so that she wouldn't have to maintain it.

Moiraine walked out of the dining area and glanced around then focused on the clone, having felt her channel.

"Can I learn?" Elisa asked hopefully.

"I'm pretty sure everyone in the family has the talent," the clone admitted.

'Family implies an al'Vere, but hell if I know which one,' Mist mused as he tried to look like he wasn't struggling to place everyone.

"What do you need?" Elisa asked with a smile, looking forward to learning something that would get her out of the inn and might provide her with a decent source of income.

"I need help organizing things," the clone replied. "I want to make sure every girl thirteen or older gets tested for the ability to channel. It shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes per person and is entirely painless."

"How do you know how to channel?" Elisa asked, finding it strange that her youngest sister had managed to keep something from her.

"I had training," the clone replied as Egwene and Nynaeve walked out of the council room.

Elisa blinked when she noticed that her sister had a duplicate. "What's going on?"

"Egwene ran into someone that could copy people," the clone replied with amusement.

"Or she's a version of your sister from another dimension," Mist suggested as he reached out and poked Elisa's hand with his finger, picking up the ability to copy her.

"How do I get tested?" one of the townsfolk asked from another table.

"Test me," another girl called out cheerfully.

"Make a line," the clone replied. "Or a couple of lines."

"Three," Moiraine said, not seeing a problem with helping test the townsfolk since it didn't take much power to test people and it would give her a better idea what they were working with.

Mist leaned back in his chair and watched the female townsfolk lineup to get tested. 'I'm going to have to ask Rand how much he picked up from the crystal.'

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