The Grey Tower

Each minute that passed felt endless to Liaran. She held herself on the edge of reaching for saidar, knowing she might need to act fast if it came to that. Standing straight, her hands folded in front of her, she kept her eyes on everything around them but Nykkolaia. She might have appeared to be patiently awaiting a response, but inwardly couldn't imagine what was making the other woman take so long to decide. Liaran didn't see it as much of a choice. Nykkolaia was going back to the Grey Tower, the only question in Liaran's mind was whether she would go there under her own power. By the time the other Blue finally spoke, Liaran was seriously considering whether it was time for her to reach for the One Power to put an end to this.

"I will return with you."

When she heard those words, Liaran blinked, relief rushing over her like a wave crashing against the ocean's shore. She had not wanted to use saidar against the other Blue, and was glad not to have to resort to that. She allowed herself to look at Nykkolaia again, letting go of her focus on saidar.

"Of course," she said to the request that they return to the orphanage. It made sense, and Liaran could find no reason to object. As they began to walk back, she moved to walk by Haeden's side instead of Nykkolaia's, but she didn't allow the other woman to get too far from them. No matter what she might have claimed she'd do, Liaran still did not trust her. Until all three of them returned to the Tower, she was not going to let Nykkolaia out of her sight.