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Death surrounded them. The night was filled with terrified screams… children crying… inhuman snarls and grunting as the the stench of blood and entrails permeated the air.
The monster rose before them, her and Egwene, as Nynaeve tore the knife from her belt. She returned its snarl with her own vicious shrieking attack, refusing to be cowed, swiping and stabbing, feeling a small victory as her flimsy blade met matted fur and flesh. She lost her grip on the bloody handle as the beast knocked them back, cornering them then, and shut her eyes tight against the fatal blow.
The sick tearing sound was followed by the foulest stench she’d ever known, the sound of raw meat raining to the dirt.
It took the sharp bite of crisp Winternight air to in her lungs to restore her courage to look.
Her eyes trailed across the square, to him. The Warder. His eyes met hers as he drew his great blade from the scabbard on his back.
“Dear Light.”
He turned to meet the Trollocs that were advancing on the Aes Sedai. Her hands began to weave traces of light, which erupted into a great fireball. Nynaeve grunted at the sudden knot of pain that flared low in her belly.
She rolled to her side, curling around the cramp. The hard-packed dirt crunched under her bedroll. Despite the cold night air, her brow was slick with sweat.
Burn me.
Though regular enough, the timing of her courses had always been a little unpredictable. Coming a bit late now, after too many days on horseback, this one was bound to be heavier and more painful. Naturally, it had to arrive on his watch.
She sighed, already feeling the flow. Best deal with it now.
Nynaeve pushed herself to her knees, rising out of the bedroll to make her way to the horses. She fished some cloths and a fresh underwrap out of her saddle bag, chancing a glance from the darkness.
Lan stood still as stone, his eyes scanning the other side of the camp.
As she made her way into the woods, she thrilled at the sound of his steps following in her direction. As though setting his pace and gait to match hers, he drew no closer but gave no extra distance either.
They had danced this dance before. Truth be told, the other Warders were the same. Always allowing her privacy while remaining close enough should any threats arise. Others in the camp could be trusted to their own devices when relieving themselves, it would seem, but apparently she required special protection.
It was mortifying to be treated like a child, to have one’s bodily functions monitored thusly. Nighttime excursions made it more obvious, so she avoided them as much as possible. Yet here they were.
That it was him, made it worse. She could just see his profile by the tree line, wreathed by the dim light of the campfire. Still scanning the far side of the clearing.
She replaced her underwrap, lining the fresh one with ample cloths to carry through to morning. After wiping her hands and tying the soiled sheet into a neat bundle, she stood upright and smoothed her skirt.
She heard Lan head back to his original position as she made her way back to the horses, tucking the used cloth out of sight.
Mortifying. She scowled.
Returning to her bedroll, Nynaeve tried to find a comfortable position. The cramp was tighter, now. She rolled to her back in an attempt to stretch it out, then curled again on her other side. The next spasm coaxed a small huff of a grunt. She squeezed her eyes tight.
The sound of Lan’s footsteps crossing the clearing, drew her attention. She had to admit, it was a welcome distraction.
The metal scrape of the kettle and sound of water being poured raised her suspicions. He approached the campfire, stoking the flame with fresh logs, before seating himself a good distance away.
It was unlike Lan to make tea at this time of night. She held herself quiet and still, clenching her teeth against the unremitting twinges.
It seemed an eternity before he moved again, bustling about quietly before drawing beside her. He stood there in silence for several long seconds.
“Wisdom.”
Feigning sleep wasn’t going to work, she decided. She cracked one eye open to look up at him.
He lowered himself to a crouch, pressing a water bag towards her. Reaching to accept the proffering, she nearly dropped it. The bag was surprisingly hot.
“Thank you,” she whispered, drawing the bag under the blanket and tucking it low against the painful knot. Almost immediately, the worst of it began to melt away. Lan’s face, all stony angles and planes, inclined a small nod. He turned, headed back to resume his watch from his original position.
Some hours later, as the first recurring twinge pulled her from sleep, she sensed more than heard his approach. She sneaked an eye open to see his hand reach under her blanket. A fresh, hot bag replaced the now cool one. He adjusted the blanket over her before melting away again.
Dawn saw the camp come to life, Warders and porters packing up saddle bags and carts as the Aes Sedai went on about their own business. She spied Lan across the encampment, catching Alanna by the shoulder as he made his way into the tent the Green sister now shared with Moiraine. She met his brief words with a nod.
After finishing her morning meal, Nynaeve scrubbed her plate along with a few others at the makeshift wash stand, before grabbing some empty water bags. She headed to the small stream alongside the camp.
Alanna appeared beside her, crouching down to fill bottles and bags of her own.
“It’s a long ride today, not many stops to make tea. There’s no need for the ride to be harder than necessary. I can help…”
Nyneave allowed a small nod. A cool tingle passed through her belly, smoothing the knot away.
“Is there a way to be done with it for good?”
The Green huffed a small laugh. “Don’t do that,” she chided lightly. “Well, I suppose there are days I can understand the appeal. There are better ways, in my opinion,” she grinned at this, “but you can ask our Yellow sisters about their weaves when we reach Tar Valon.”
Alanna stoppered her bottle, grabbed another before continuing.
“I do have a weave for cleaning up blood. You would master it quickly,” she winked. “Think on it, and come find me when we break later for camp, if you want…”