Interlude

           ItwasexactlythesortofdayJainaProudmooredidn’tlike—sullen,stormy,andbitterlycold.WhiletheoceanbreezesalwaysmadeTheramorefeelcool,eveninthehotsummermonths,thechillofthewindandrainthatnowpummeledthecitycuttothebone.Theoceanchurnedunhappily,theskyaboveitgrayandmenacing.Itshowednosignsoflettingup.Outside,trainingfieldsturnedtomud,travelerssoughttheshelteroftheinn,andDr.VanHowzenwouldneedtowatchtheinjuredinhiscareforsignsofillnessbroughtonbythesuddencoldandwetness.Jaina’sguardsstoodinthedownpourwithoutcomplaint.Nodoubttheyweremiserable.Jainaorderedoneofherattendantstotakethepotofteashehadjustbrewedforherandherchancellordowntothestalwartguardsenduringtheirduty.Shecouldwaitforasecondpottobeready.

           Thunderrumbledandtherewasaflashoflightning.Jaina,snuginhertowersurroundedbythebooksandpapersshesoloved,shiveredanddrewhercloakabouthermoreclosely,thenturnedtoonewhowasdoubtlessevenmoreuncomfortablethanshe.

           MagnaAegwynn,formerGuardianofTirisfal,mothertothegreatMagusMedivh,oncethemostpowerfulwomanintheworld,satinachairdrawnclosetothefire,sippingacupoftea.Hergnarledhandsclosedaboutthecup,seekingitswarmth.Herlonghair,whiteasfreshlyfallensnow,waslooseabouthershoulders.ShelookedupasJainaapproachedandsatinthechairacrossfromher.Hergreeneyes,adeep,knowingemerald,missednothing.