only break anywhere in the Chair, a palm-sized rectangular
hole in one side with tiny notches spaced unevenly around it.
Criminals caught in Tar Valon were brought down here to
experience the Chair of Remorse, to experience carefully
selected consequences of their crimes. On release, they
invariably fled the island. There was very little crime in
Tar Valon. Queasily, Seaine wondered whether this was
anything like the use the Chair had been put to in the Age of
Legends.
гWhat is she·seeing?д Her question came out a whisper in
spite of herself. Talene would be more than seeing; to her,
it all would seem real. Thank the light she had no Warder,
almost unheard of for a Green. She had claimed a Sitter had
no need for one. Different reasons came to mind, now.
гShe is bloody being flogged by bloody Trollocs,д Doesine
said hoarsely. Touches of her native Cairhien had appeared in
her voice, something that seldom happened except under stress.
гWhen they are done·. She can see the Trollocвs cook kettle
boiling over the fire, and a Myrddraal watching her. She must
know it will be one or the other next. Burn me, if she
doesnвt break this time·.д
Doesine brushed perspiration from her forehead irritably and
drew a ragged breath. гStop joggling my elbow. It has been a
long while since I did this.д
гThree times under,д Yukiri muttered. гThe toughest
strongarm is broken by his own guilt, if nothing else, after
two! What if sheвs innocent? Light, this is like stealing
sheep with the shepherd watching!д Even shaking, she managed
to appear regal, but she always sounded like what she had
been, a village woman. She glared around at the rest of them
in a sickly fashion. гThe law forbids using the Chair on
initiates. Weвll all be unchaired! And if being thrown out
of the hall isnвt enough, weвll probably be exiled. And
birched before we go, just to drop salt in our tea! Burn me,
if weвre wrong, we could all be stilled!д
Seaine shuddered. They would escape that last, if their
suspicions proved right. No, not suspicions, certainties.
They had to be right! But even if they were, Yukiri was
correct about the rest. Tower law seldom allowed for
necessity, or any supposed higher good. If they were right,
though, the price was worth paying. Please, the Light send
they were right!
гAre you blind and deaf?д Pevara snapped, shaking the Oath
Rod at Yukiri. гShe refused to reswear the Oath against
speaking an untrue word, and it had to be more than stupid
Green Ajah pride after weвd all done as much already. When I
shielded her, she tried to stab me! Does that shout
innocence? Does it? For all she knew, we just meant to talk
at her until our tongues dried up! What reason would she have
to expect more?д
