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as had done most of the needlework； Min had mostly just stuck herself。 Leane was also covering her nakedness； but she seemed more interested in the short…bladed knife hanging from her belt than in the clothes themselves。
Three plainly dressed women had a chance； at least； of leaving the Tower without attracting notice。 A number of petitioners and people seeking help had been caught inside the Tower by the fighting； three more creeping out of hiding should be hustled into the street at worst。 So long as they were not recognized。 The other women's faces might help； too。 No one was likely to take a pair of young … young…seeming； at least … women for the Amyrlin Seat and the Keeper of the Chronicles。 Former Amyrlin and former Keeper； she reminded herself。
〃Only one guard？〃 Siuan said； wincing as she tugged on thick stockings。 〃Strange。 They'd guard a cutpurse better than that。〃 Eyeing Laras； she pushed her feet into the sturdy shoes。 〃It is good to see some do not believe the charges against me。 Whatever they are。〃
The stout woman frowned and lowered her chins； giving herself a fourth。 〃I am loyal to the Tower；〃 she said sternly。 〃Such matters are not for me。 I am only a cook。 This foolish girl has had me remembering too much of being a foolish girl myself。 I think … Seeing you … It is time for me to remember I am not a willowy girl any longer。〃 She pushed the lantern into Min's hands。
Min caught her stout arm as she turned to go。 〃Laras； you won't give us away？ Not now； after all you have done。〃
The woman's wide face split in a smile； half…reminiscent； half…rueful。 〃Oh； Elmindreda； you do remind me of me when I was your age。 Foolish doings； and near to getting myself hanged； sometimes。 I will not betray you； child； but I must live here。 When Second is rung； I will send a girl with wine for the guard。 If he has not wakened or been discovered by then； that will give you more than an hour。〃 Turning to the other two women； she suddenly wore the hard scowl Min had seen directed at undercooks and the like。 〃You use that hour well； hear！ They mean to stick you in the scullery； I understand； so they can haul you out for examples。 I'd not care one way or the other … such matters are for Aes Sedai； not cooks； one Amyrlin is the same as another； to me … but if you get this child caught； you can expect me to be striping your hides from sunup to sundown whenever you're not head…down in greasy pots or cleaning slop jars！ You will wish they had cut off your heads before I am done。 And don't think they'll believe I helped。 Everyone knows I keep to my kitchens。 You mark me； and jump！〃 The smile popped back onto her face； and she pinched Min's cheek。 〃You hurry them along； child。 Oh； I am going to miss dressing you。 Such a pretty child。〃 With a last vigorous pinch； she waddled out of the cell at a near trot。
Min rubbed her cheek irritably； she hated it when Laras did that。 The woman was as strong as a horse。 Near to hanging？ What kind of 〃lively girl〃 had Laras been？
Gingerly pulling her dress over her head； Leane sniffed loudly。 〃To think she could speak to you in that manner； Mother！〃 Her face popped out at the top； scowling。 〃I am surprised she helped at all if she feels that way。〃
〃But she did help；〃 Min told her。 〃Remember that。 And I think she'll keep her word not to give us away。 I am sure of it。〃 Leane sniffed again。
Siuan swung her cloak around her shoulders。 〃It makes a difference； Leane； that I have no more claim to that title。 It makes a difference when tomorrow you and I might be two of her scullery girls。〃 Leane clasped her hands to keep them from shaking and would not look at her。 Siuan went on calmly； if in a dry tone。 〃I also suspect Laras will keep her word about。。。 other things。。。 so even if you don't care whether Elaida hangs us up like a pair of netted sharks for the world to see； I suggest you move yourself。 Myself； I hated greasy pots when I was a girl； and I don't doubt I still would。〃
Leane sullenly began doing up the laces of the country dress。
Siuan turned her attention to Min。 〃You may not be so eager to help us when I tell you we've both been。。。 stilled。〃 Her voice did not shake； but it was stiff with the effort of saying the word； and her eyes looked pained； and lost。 It was a shock to realize her calm was all on the surface。 〃Any one of the Accepted could tie the pair of us into a running sheepsfoot； Min。 Most of the novices could。〃
〃I know；〃 Min said； careful to keep her tone clear of the smallest hint of sympathy。 Sympathy now might break what self…control the other women had left； and she needed them in control of themselves。 〃It was announced at every square in the city； and posted wherever they could nail up a notice。 But you are still alive。〃 Leane gave a bitter laugh； which she ignored。 〃We had best go。 That guard might wake； or somebody check on him。〃
〃Lead； Min；〃 Siuan said。 〃We are in your hands。〃 After a moment Leane gave a short nod and hurriedly donned her cloak。
In the guardroom at the end of the dark hall； the lone guard lay stretched out； facedown on the dusty floor。 The helmet that would have saved him a sore head sat on the rough plank table beside the single lantern that provided the room's light。 He seemed to be breathing all right。 Min did not spare him more than a glance； though she hoped he was not badly hurt； he had not tried to press the advantage of her offer。
She hurried Siuan and Leane through the far door； all thick planks and wide iron straps； up the narrow； stone stairs。 They had to keep moving。 Passing for petitioners would not save them from questioning if they were seen ing from the cells。
They saw no more guards； nor anyone else； as they climbed out of the bowels of the Tower； but Min still found herself holding her breath until they reached the small door that let into the Tower proper。 Cracking it just enough to poke her head through； she peeked both ways down the corridor。
Gilded lamp stands stood against frieze…banded walls of white marble。 To the right two women moved swiftly out of sight without looking back。 The sureness of their steps marked them Aes Sedai even if she could not see their faces； in the Tower； even a queen walked hesitantly。 In the other direction half a dozen men stalked away； just as clearly Warders； with their wolfish grace and cloaks that faded into the surroundings。
She waited until the Warders were gone； too； before slipping through the doorway。 〃It's clear。 e on。 Keep your hoods up and your heads down。 Act a little frightened。〃 For her part； it was no pretense。 From the silent way the two women followed her； she did not think they needed to pretend either。
The halls of the Tower were seldom full； yet now they seemed empty。 Occasionally someone appeared for a moment ahead of them； or down a side corridor； but whether Aes Sedai or Warder or servant； all were hurrying； too intent on their own affairs to notice anyone else。 The Tower was silent； too。
Then they passed a crossing hallway where dark blotches of dried blood flecked the pale green floor tiles。 Two larger patches stretched off in long smears；