She was wearing the Keeper's stole and holding the Keeper's staff. Why was she? She was Red. Reds did not become Keepers.. or Amyrlins. Looking at a mirror, she saw something she didn't expect to see. Miyadrani saw wrinkles upon the ageless face. Wrinkles of worry.. a life of worry.. sadness.. What was wrong with her life? It came to her suddenly, and within her mind, hatred boiled. Talon. Mother. The Amyrlin Seat. The Flame of Tar Valon. She was the cause of all her misery.
And, yet, she could do nothing about it. Why? Talon was using a forbidden Talent to keep her Keeper in line. Compulsion. Miyadrani shivered inwardly when she remembered what happens when she ever shows any opinion or thought of her own. She was Talon's loyal puppet. Miyadrani's eyes darted to the herb in her hand. It was a normal herb, used to increase health and prosperity, but in heavy doses, the herb could be deadly. Miyadrani looked from the herb to the tray of food she was to bring to the Amyrlin. The temptation was great, and it was the sole purpose for her purchase of the drug.
...but Miyadrani couldn't do it. She was physically incapable of such. Such knowledge made Miyadrani want to cry and pitch a fit, but that, too, was not something she could do. Aes Sedai did not cry.. Aes Sedai did not fuss or argue with the Amyrlin.. and especially not the Keeper of the Chronicles.
"...and be sure to tell the dear Queen of Andor that if she does not comply with our advice, I foresee great danger in her future.." The Amyrlin entered the room, speaking to the Gray who was the Andoran Queen's advisor. Miyadrani knew what Talon meant when she said "I foresee great danger.." It meant that if things don't go her way, she would cause that said danger. Quickly hiding the herb, Miyadrani offered the tray to Talon as she sat at her desk.
"Yes, Mother," answered the Gray who, like many of the Sisters, was too young and ignorant of the games Aes Sedai play to understand Talon's hidden threat. The Gray left the room, and Talon focused on the tray.
"You've been having doubts, Keeper." Talon mentioned as she began her meal.
"N-no, Mother, never.." Miyadrani stammered. She was disgusted with herself for being so cowardly. The denial was met with harsh pains within her mind.
"Yes... you have.." Talon's eyes raised up to glare Miyadrani straight to her own. Miyadrani shook with fear as she fell.. the herb dropping from her hand.
Talon only smirked. "You know, your continued defiance of our Master's will can become less entertaining and more bothersome. I suggest you give up while you are ahead. You might even win His favor again."
Miyadrani nodded her head, as only she could. But within her mind she wailed and screamed and gnashed her teeth in defiance.. anger.. hate. The Master deceived her. Her own Mother who wasn't really her Mother had deceived her. Talon had deceived her. Nothing existed but deception!
"I can see I still need to work you through the Basics.. I am growing rather tired of it. I've been patient with you for the past sixty years..." Talon arose and wove another shot of pain.
..And Miyadrani could do nothing to defend herself. She just couldn't. It could not occur to her that she could weave a shield or Travel or Skim away. No.. she was under Talon's spell.. believing she was inferior.. unable to fight..
That night, Miyadrani found the perfect opportunity to warn one of Talon's victims of deception as to what they were really heading into. But she had to get to them before they left the Tower. It was then that the arch appeared to take her away. Miyadrani shook her head.. She had to.. She had to.. But the arch glimmered with demanding.. and Miyadrani stepped through it.