Prologue to the Epilogue

[Iris 0]

Hey guys its me Iris *sips tea in tower with no door*

 

So the epi is going to take a lot of timey, but here is a little prologue for it.

 

Prolo to the Epi of the Continuing Story of Moiraine Damodred

 

Erikah raised her hand and knocked on the dark wooden door, where she was greeted by a maid who showed her into an elaborately decorated parlor. Viviana, her long, black hair falling about her shoulders, was wearing a heavily embroidered dress of dark red silk. Erikah noted that Viviana was always overly-dressed—surely a dress like that was more appropriate for a royal occasion. Erikah found her own light green silk to be much more suitable for an afternoon tea.

 

“Erikah, lovely to see you,” Viviana said, accepting the other woman graciously. “Please, sit down.”

 

Erikah took a seat on the heavily carved chair opposite Viviana. Viviana took her time pouring tea for them both, and offering cream and sugar, after which she quietly sipped her from her cup. Erikah noted that the woman's smug smile never quite left her lips. Viviana was a woman who possessed knowledge that other people willingly paid for. She definitely thought very highly of herself for it.

 

Erikah tried to maintain a calm, nonchalant expression despite the anxious desperation she felt bubbling within her like acid. BUt Viviana knew how to read the signs of an anxious person, as everyone who came to visit her was anxious, although they tried not to look it. At least Viviana didn't waste time with pleasantries and small-talk, she simply basked for a few silent minutes before the transaction took place.

 

“I have learned what I think will be of great interest to you,” Viviana said, her full, dark lips smiling with smugness and self-importance.

 

“Then I am willing to pay the price we mentioned,” Erikah said coolly. Viviana continued to smile at Erikah. Viviana greatly enjoyed the tension of these moments, before the knowledge was actually doled out. Most of her clients were women, and Viviana enjoyed the dramatic affects that both the anticipation and the information itself had on them. Erikah produced a small pouch, which had the heavy jingle of coin. Viviana accepted it without a second glance at it, setting it aside. She continued to look at Erikah's face, taking another sip of her tea before finally setting the cup down. The woman seemed to enjoy the reaction of her clients even more than the money.

 

Erikah was a beautiful woman, but of a different kind of beauty than Viviana, and most other women in the higher cirlces of Malkier for that matter. She was slightly taller than average, and slender--not the buxom type that most associated with Borderland beauties. Her long, straight, reddish-brown hair was like a sheet of silk that fell well past her shoulders. She never curled it or decorated it with gems or clips. She wore little jewelry, but Viviana noted that the jewelry she did wear was elegant, despite its simplicity. Her eyes were more gray than blue, and her cheeks even beheld a few small freckles. She was fair-skinned, but for a Borderland woman her complexion had an unusual tan to it.

 

Overall, Erikah had a type of rustic, earthy beauty that made her stand apart from most Borderland women, especially those who were of noble status. Of course, the Borderlands didn't have the same games of houses as the territories farther south, but naturally they still had their hierarchy. Viviana also noted how Erikah's beauty suited her personality. She had never seen her flirt or gush, and it was no secret that she preferred archery to afternoon teas. In a way, Erikah reminded Viviana of King Lan's late wife, Nynaeve al'Meara, who also possessed a sort of earthy beauty that set her apart, even with the crown of a queen upon her head.

 

 

“As you know, King Lan departed two days ago,” Viviana began, her green eyes watching Erikah's face for any subtle changes. “He was escorted by a guard as far as the outskirts of the city, after which he continued on his journey alone.” Viviana smiled. Erikah knew it highly unsual for a king to travel alone, and Viviana was surely watching for a reaction, but she held her face still. Viviana continued. “Of course that is only the first of a few odd tidbits which I have procured. Perhaps the most odd is that no one knows what his destination is, save his closest council, who are maintaining their silence on the matter.” Viviana watched again. Erikah could feel her heart beating rapidly with anticipation, threatening to leap into her throat. It was an effort not to tell the woman to hurry up and be out with it.

 

“Of course King Lan's closest council would never betray his loyalties. My word has it that even the servants were not allowed in the room when he addressed them the night before he departed. Odd that he would wait until the night before to tell them, as if he didn't want to leave any time for objection.” Erikah swallowed. Viviana's smile lifted even more, her dark lips smug and knowing. The signs of anxiety were plain on Erikah's face now, although she still attempted to smother them.

 

“But of course a closed door has never thwarted my abilities of extraction. Both servants and guards can be quite deft at finding ways to gather information, especially when no one thinks they're listening.”

 

“And?” Erikah asked, slightly breathless. “What did you find out?”

 

Viviana gave a sip of her tea, drawing out the suspense of the moment. “He has left for Andor. Or, more precisely, the border of Andor and Cairhien.”

 

Erikah raised an eyebrow. Andor and Cairhien? Was this the fact that she had paid so well for, that she had laid awake nearly all last night anticipating? “Andor and Cairhien?” Erikah repeated, almost laughing. “Why under the Light would he go there?” She had thought perhaps he would ride to Shienar or another of the Borderland territories. That possibility had haunted her since she heard he had departed so unexpectedly. Erikah felt tension leave her body, and she took a relaxed sip of her tea.

 

The delight on Viviana's face was plain. She had hoped Erikah would react this way, allowing her the opportunity to deliver even more from the pool knowledge that made her so popular. Erikah had no idea how impregnated with possibility this destination was. Of course, not many did know the things Viviana knew, which is why she had so many well-paying clients.

 

“Erikah, darling,” Viviana waited until Erikah met her eyes. “Do you happen to know who is rumored to reside at the border of Andor and Cairhien?”

 

Erikah continued to hold Viviana's gaze, but she felt the hand holding her tea cup shake, so she set it down. Viviana waited for Erikah to ask, which she did, her gray eyes flooded with anxiety. “Who?”

 

“Moiraine Damodred, Aes Sedai of the Blue Ajah.” Viviana's satisfied smile was momentarily hid beneath her tea cup. It was rather big, and she didn't want to offend one of her clients. But truth be told, these were the moments that made Viviana's life worth living.

 

Erikah stared at Viviana blankly. Viviana was familiar with that blank expression—a manifestation of shock. Erikah felt like her stomach had fallen to some depth that would make it irretrievable. She clutched her green skirts, white knuckled, all the color draining from her face.

 

“Would you like some smelling salts?” Viviana asked. She always kept them handy. Women had fainted from their tea cups at her table before.

 

“No,” Erikah said, her voice sounding as drained as her face looked. “If there is nothing else,” Erikah said, trying to speak in a normal volume but failing, “then I will be leaving.”

 

“There is nothing else,” Viviana said, smiling. “For now.”