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*The air near a certain table shimmers, and Moiraine appears. She glances around, then starts toward the bar. As she does so, Holly runs up, chittering, and brings a cup of tea. The Aes Sedai smiles in appreciation, then settles down with tea and her journal.*

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I am Moiraine. *Her tone is serene.* And although I do have claim to the title of Lady, here I am simply Moiraine.

*She tilts her head, studying him.*

I have seen you before, I believe, on the night that Roland was returned. You are a gunslinger, I presume?

He nods, one hand lightly brushing the butt of a gun in an automatic gesture.

"Alain Johns of Gilead, son of Chris. Roland told me of you, sai, and that we ought to meet."

I am glad that we have the chance to do so, then.

*Moiraine indicates an empty seat at the table with a calm smile.*

Would you join me?

He inclines his head with a smile, and sits.

*She studies him carefully for a long moment, taking in his age and his calm demeanor, and then Moiraine tilts her head.*

Are you settling in well, then, Alain?

"Aye, well enough, thankee-sai. It's easier with friends already here."

I would think that it would be, at that. *Her tone is calm.* Do you know all of them, then?

"Roland and Cuthbert, of course -- we grew up together, do you ken, and were ka-tet since our training. And Susan I know well also."

"The others did not meet Roland until long after I died." He says this easily and matter-of-factly. "I've met Eddie here, but not yet the others."

*She nods.*

Ka-tet -- I understand, yes. I have not had the chance to speak with Susan, I am afraid, but I believe that I know all of the rest of your tet.

"And you make common cause with us, to stand for the White." It's half a question, half a statement.

*Moiraine inclines her head in assent.*

I am Aes Sedai. My world is at war, and Tarmon Gai'don, the Last Battle against the Shadow, approaches. If we lose this, the world and the Wheel of Time itself will be destroyed by the Dark One.

Whatever the Dark One wishes, I oppose.

From where he sits at the bar, Cuthbert sees Alain and Moiraine talking and smiles, then gives them a nod and a mind if I join you? look.

Alain returns the smile and nod, then casts an inquiring glance at Moiraine.

*Moiraine also smiles, and beckons Cuthbert over to the table.*

Cuthbert heads over, smiling. "I see you two have met."

"Just now, aye."

He nods to a chair, in invitation.

It is as Alain has said, we have just met. *Moiraine's tone is calm.*

We were even now discussing something of who and what I am, as it happens.

How are matters with you, Cuthbert?

"Well enough, thankee-sai." Cuthbert nods to her as he takes a seat.

"As to who and what you are, lady-sai, I confess I myself am still curious about that."

He actually doesn't know very much about what an Aes Sedai is. Roland told him Moiraine was trustworthy, when he'd arrived, and that had been enough for him to go on until a better time to ask questions arose.

*She smiles serenely at them both.*

Then perhaps it is fortunate that you approached at this moment, Cuthbert. The Wheel weaves.

*Moiraine is quiet for a moment, thinking.*

I understand from Roland that you consider ka to be a wheel that turns. In my world, we speak of the Wheel of Time, which itself turns and brings ages that come and pass and return again with its turning. It weaves the threads of all life into the Pattern which determines all things by its weaving.

*Another brief silence and then a nod to Alain as she repeats herself.*

My world is at war against the forces of evil, the Shadow, that which is of the Dark One, who was bound by the Creator at the very moment of creation. He seeks to free himself from his binding, and to destroy the world and the Wheel of Time itself.

Whatever the Dark One wishes, I oppose. And as I am Aes Sedai, I use power -- what some would call magic -- in order to do so.

There is a very long moment of silence.

Then, quietly, "You stand true with the White indeed."

Cuthbert's eyebrows go up slightly, and he nods. "Aye, as Alain says."

*Moiraine looks calmly back and forth between them.*

As do you, in your own way. There are many similarities indeed between our worlds, I have come to believe.

"Different levels of the same Tower."

He smiles. "Say on if you would, sai."

The Dark Tower, that Roland seeks; that is what you speak of, is it not so?

*Her tone is calm and unsurprised.*

I have known three Towers, as it happens, but none of the three is the same as that one, I suspect. Although there are levels to them all. *Her eyes are very dark.*

Similarities; mirrors of the Wheel, perhaps. My world had Artur Hawkwing, for example, and yours Arthur Eld.

*She tilts her head, studying Cuthbert, then adds,* And a horn.

Cuthbert meets her gaze and nods, his own expression turning curious. "Aye, lady. Roland's horn--passed down from Arthur Eld himself, or so the tales say."

He can still feel the curve of the horn against his palm at Jericho Hill--and the inexplicable relief he'd felt when he learned that Roland had the horn again, now.