I Must Not Fear

Chapter Two

"Are they flaming serious? Don't they know who that woman is?"

Uno's voice rang throughout his office. Lan squinted his eyes as he adjusted his sense of hearing to the volume. His dear friend and advisor can be short-tempered sometimes—most of the time. He stares at the scroll on his desk delivered early in the morning.

Another recommendation for a concubine for the King of Malkier.

Lan sighed.

A year now since this started. The Council is in agreement, of course. Since he's not married, they started to question the stability of his rule. Should anything happen to him, the throne is at risk. There is no line of succession. That's why an heir must be secured. If he is not to marry on his own volition, a concubine is the next option.

The White Tower is a school for women trained to be of such service and to be an aid to ruling monarchs. They do not only train future concubines but also future advisors and liaisons to kingdoms in their tower. Many kings had sought aid from the White Tower for the same situation he's in. Some just for the sake of having an Aes Sedai concubine on their beds.

Lan couldn't comprehend at first that idea. He is not raised in that way of life. He is someone who believes in love, in free will. Getting a woman from another city just to bed and to produce an heir, it makes his stomach churn.

"Of course, they know and yet, they recommended her", Ingtar seconded.

Oh, yes...the recommended Aes Sedai. Lady Moiraine Damodred.

That caused the present argument. The last living Damodred turned Aes Sedai is being suggested to become his concubine.

Everyone knows of the fallen House of Damodred. They once ruled Cairhien many years ago. Cairhien was once a powerful and feared kingdom in the Westlands but the greed of their family led to its downfall. They started the Aiel War to which many lives have perished. Men and women from the Borderlands joined that fight and many of his people died. All because of a throne, of a sacred tree.

"I believe she's a child during that time, wasn't she?" he cut in.

There is a rumor of a young princess being smuggled out of the city in the dead of night. She was brought to Tar Valon once the war has begun. Some say it was an act to ensure the lineage of the Damodred will remain safe. Some say that her own uncles had sold her to the Aes Sedai in exchange of golden coins to buy themselves armories.

Uno huffed.

"Still a Damodred and now she's an Aes Sedai. What a combination, eh? You know what they say about those women in the White Tower. They are manipulators. They act so innocent and sweetly but they have an agenda of their own. They're just so good at hiding it",

"Well, we wouldn't know anything just by sitting here. Bukama go to Tar Valon. Assess the situation. I always trust your judgment. I will decide on the matter upon your return", Lan instructed.

"As you wish", Bukama accepted.

Once Bukama has left, only Ingtar remained in his office.

"You're considering this recommendation?" his friend asked.

"I do not have all the information, Ingtar. Yes, she is a Damodred but she is not her family. They're all dead. I cannot blame her for something she has no control over. She didn't choose to be born in that family so why dangle that over her head?" his friend's face softened a little. "Now, if we are going to pass judgment on her, it must be because of her character and nothing more. Bukama will provide us with his assessment once he returns",