The four workers needed no further prodding. Nynaeve told one of the soldiers to follow them and make certain they did as she said. The late hour was working to her advantage; with so many of the servants and Rand's attendants asleep, she could investigate without alerting those who might be guilty.
The departure of the workers only made the dosun more nervous. Nynaeve sat at the table on one of the vacated stools. The men had left their dice behind in their haste, but had—of course—made sure to take their coins. The room was lit by a small lamp, burning with an open flame on the windowsill. The Saldaean had taken her lantern with him when following the workers.
"Your name is Loral, is it not?" Nynaeve asked.
The dosun nodded warily.
"You are aware that Aes Sedai do not lie?"
The housekeeper nodded again. Most Aes Sedai
The woman seemed to relax a bit. "What help do you need, Nynaeve Sedai?"
"It has been my experience that the head housekeeper knows more of a house's workings than the stewards, or even the owners of the property. Have you been employed here for long?"
"I have served the Chadmar family through three generations," the old woman said with no small measure of pride. "And had hoped to serve another, if Her Ladyship had—" The housekeeper cut off. Rand had imprisoned "Her Ladyship" in her own dungeons. That didn't bode well for there being another generation to serve.
"Yes, well," Nynaeve said, covering the uncomfortable silence. "The unfortunate circumstances involving your lady are part of my task this evening."
"Nynaeve Sedai," the aged woman said, growing eager, "do you suppose you can see her to freedom? Restore her to the Lord Dragon's good graces?"
"Perhaps."
"The one sent by the King?" Loral asked. "I never spoke with him, Aes Sedai, but I
"And then?" Nynaeve asked.
"Well, he went directly to speak with Lady Chadmar, and then. ..." Loral trailed off. "Nynaeve Sedai, I don't mean to be getting my lady into any more trouble, and—"
"He was sent for questioning," Nynaeve said shortly. "I have little time for foolishness, Loral. I am
"Yes, Lady," Loral said, paling. "We all knew what had happened, of course. Didn't seem right, sending one of the King's men to a questioner like that. Particularly that man. Shame to mar a face so beautiful, and all."
"You know the location of the questioner and the dungeon?"
Loral hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. Good. She didn't intend to withhold information.
"Let us go, then,' Nynaeve said, rising.
"My Lady?"
"To the dungeon," Nynaeve said. "I assume it isn't on the property anywhere, not if Milisair Chadmar was as careful as I think."
"It's a modest distance away, in the Gull's Feast," Loral said. "You wish to go
"Yes," Nynaeve said, then hesitated. "Unless I decide to visit the questioner at his home instead."
"They are the same place, my Lady."
"Excellent. Come."
Loral didn't have much choice. Nynaeve allowed her—guarded by a soldier—to return to her rooms for a dress.
A short time later, Nynaeve and her soldiers marched the dosun— along with the four workers, to keep them from accidentally giving warning of what was happening—from the building. All five looked decidedly displeased. They probably believed the superstitious rumors that the night was not safe. Nynaeve knew better. The night might not be safe, but it wasn't any worse than other times. In fact, it might be safer. If there were fewer people about, there were fewer chances of someone nearby suddenly growing thorns out of their skin, bursting into flame or dying in some other horribly random way.
They left the mansion grounds, Nynaeve walking with a firm step, hoping to keep the others from feeling too nervous. She nodded to the soldiers at the gate, and went in the direction Loral indicated. Their feet thumped against the wood of the boardwalk, the clouded night sky glowing just faintly from moonlight above.
