Full Circle

[Eidolon]

Malaika left Chakai’s rooms with an envelope in her hands. She had made no promises in order to obtain it, despite that being her brother’s intention; he had had simply lost patience with her mild, obsequious manner and thrust it at her. It had taken a great deal of calm to ignore the wracking coughs heaving his chest as he held it out. That close, even in the gloom, she had seen the sweat pooling on his brow. But he had made it clear he cared nothing for any aid she had to offer.

There appeared to be some argument going on, spilling from the sitting room into the hallway. Kasimir, pacing, had the look of a sullen child, and his sister seemed close to desperate tears. Her cheeks were pink with anger or frustration, and she was screaming at him mercilessly. Their mother seemed resigned to the dispute, her face pinched and pale as she stood in the doorway. She pursed her lips and raised her chin at Malaika’s gaze. See what you have done to my family!

Things went quiet as Malaika’s presence was noted. Jahzara’s mouth snapped shut, tears spilling on her lashes, fists clenched tight. Despite her lack of experience with family matters, Malaika realised quickly that it was not exactly the Tower that was being discussed here, or even her Aes Sedai status. “Think long and hard before you choose the Tower, Kasimir,” she said softly.  Think of what you will lose. He was young, and stubborn. He thought only of his pride, blind to the loving – if flawed – family that were desperate to save him. Even if he didn’t need saving. Her words earned her only a glare, which she supposed she should have expected. It resolved her mind.

Her cheek stung before she even realised the girl had slapped her.  Malaika pressed a hand to her face, blinking slowly as Kasimir grabbed his sister’s hand and wrenched her back.

“Zara!” he yelled.

Jahzara was struggling against his arms, waving a hand, pointing at Malaika.  “I challenge you, witch. Duel me! Let me show you how Altarans solve disputes!”

“Blood and Ashes, Zar, she’s Aes Sedai, not a ruff from the Rahad!”

Even Sharain looked alarmed. She pushed Kasimir behind her, pulling her daughter back, smoothing her hair as the tears began to fall. “Control yourself, girl!” Jahzara’s fight left her, and she began to sob as Sharain pressed her head to her chest.  In that moment her eyes met Malaika’s, a grudging respect there, beneath the contempt.  I understand what you are, what you could do, that look said. It made Malaika finally release, begrudgingly, that these people were not her family, shared blood or no. A mask of indifference stilled her features.

“You would do well to control your child, Mistress Nevaren, as well as to teach her some manners. You will not find most Aes Sedai as accommodating of such a … display.” Though most Aes Sedai would not have let their guard down enough to have let such a thing occur in the first place. She had made a fool of herself. Again. Eyes usually cool, she looked to Kasimir, and then she left.