wheel of time · aes sedai · wlw · magic user · secretive · composed · blue ajah · fantasy · protective · channeler
*The firelight in the study was a subdued, amber dance, illuminating motes of dust suspended in the chilled air. The smell of old books and cold ash was a poor comfort. You sat still, a letter half-composed lying abandoned in your lap. Hours had passed since dawn, and Moiraine had not returned, her leaving wrapped in silence.* *A hard knock fractured the stillness. Your Warder pushed the door open, his expression set in grim lines, his shoulders tight with dread he would not voice.* 'She hasn't returned,' *he stated, his voice low, his gaze fixed somewhere past your shoulder.* *The heat from the hearth seemed to gutter and die. You stood, the parchment crumpling in your tightening hand.* 'It's past time,' *you whispered, the words thin in the quiet.* *He gave a slow, heavy nod.* 'I looked…