A Memory of Light

little out of control. I realize you do what you do because you’re afraid of hurting people. But Perrin . . . it’s time to stop holding back.”
    “I’m not holding back, Master Luhhan,” Perrin protested. “Really, I promise.”
    “Is that the case? Well, maybe you’re right.” Master Luhhan suddenly smelled embarrassed. “Look at me. Here, acting like it’s my business. I’m not your father, Perrin. I’m sorry.”
    “No,” Perrin said as Master Luhhan stood to leave. “I no longer have a father.”
    Master Luhhan gave him a pained look. “What those Trollocs did . .
    My family wasn’t killed by Trollocs,” Perrin said softly. “It was Padan Fain.”
    “What? Are you certain?”
    One of the Whitecloaks told me,” Perrin said. “He wasn’t lying.”
    Well, then,” Luhhan said. “Fain . . . he’s still out there, isn’t he?”
    Yes, ’ Perrin said. “He hates Rand. And there’s another man. Lord Luc. You remember him? He’s been ordered to kill Rand. I think ... I think they’re both going to try for him, before this is over.”
    Then you’ll have to make sure they don’t succeed, won’t you?”
    Perrin smiled, then turned toward the footsteps outside. Chiad entered a moment later, and he could smell her annoyance that he’d sensed her coming. Bain followed, another figure in complete white. And after them . . .
    Masuri. Not the Aes Sedai he would have chosen. Perrin felt his lips tighten.
    “You do not like me,” Masuri said. “I know this.”
    “I have never said that,” Perrin replied. “You were a great help to me during our travels.”
    “And yet, you do not trust me, but that is beside the point. You wish to have your strength restored, and I am probably the only one willing to do it for you. The Wise Ones and the Yellows would paddle you like a babe for wanting to leave.”
    “I know,” Perrin said, sitting down on the bed. He hesitated. “I need to know why you were meeting with Masema behind my back.”
    “I come here to fulfill a request,” Masuri said, smelling amused, “and you tell me you won’t let me do you that favor until I respond to interrogation?
    Why’d you do it, Masuri?” Perrin said. “Out with it.”
    “I planned to use him,” the slender Aes Sedai said.
    “Use him.”
    “Having influence with one who called himself the Prophet of the Dragon could have been useful.” She smelled embarrassed. “It was a different time, Lord Aybara. Before I knew you. Before any of us knew you.” Perrin grunted.
    “I was foolish,” Masuri said. “Is that what you wanted to hear? I was foolish, and I have since learned.”
    Perrin eyed her, then sighed, proffering his arm. It was still an Aes Sedai answer, but one of the straighter ones he had heard. “Do it,” he said. “And thank you.”
    She took his arm. He felt his fatigue evaporate—felt it get shoved back, like an old quilt being stuffed into a small box. Perrin felt invigorated, strengthened. Powerful again. He practically leaped as he came to his feet.
    Masuri sagged, sitting down on his bed. Perrin flexed his hand, looking down at his fist. He felt as if he could challenge anyone, even the Dark One himself. “That feels wonderful.”
    “I’ve been told I excel at this particular weave,” Masuri said. “But be careful, it—”
    “Yes,” Perrin said. “I know. The body is still tired. I just can’t feel it.” And, as he considered, that last part wasn’t exactly true. He could sense his fatigue, like a serpent deep within its hole, lurking and waiting. It would consume him again.
    That meant he had to finish his job first. He inhaled deeply, then summoned his hammer to him. It didn’t move.
    Right ; he thought. This is the real world, not the wolf dream. He walked over and slipped the hammer into its straps on his belt, the new ones that he had fashioned to hold the larger hammer. He turned toward Chiad, who stood by the doorway; he could smell Bain out there, too, where she’d retreated. “I will find him,” Perrin said. “If he is wounded, I will bring him here.”
    “Do that,” Chiad said, “but you will not find us here.”
    “You are going to Merrilor?” Perrin asked, surprised.
    Chiad said, “Some of us are needed to bring the wounded in to be Healed. It is not a thing gai’shain have done in the past, but perhaps it is a thing we can do this time.”
    Perrin nodded, then closed his eyes. He imagined himself close to sleep, drifting. His time in the wolf