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| <<< The Choice of a Patch >>> |
| Setting: Andor, Tel'aran'rhiod, White Tower, Ebou Dar |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Elayne Trakand
Elayne is reminiscing about her childhood when Bashere arrives. The two look down at the Alguenya river. They discuss the trap that they have walked into. They had tried to get ahead of a Trolloc army to the south of them but scouts have now spotted another Trolloc army coming from the north and heading to Cairhien; a city now filled with refugees. Bashere suggests they confront the confront the new northern army as they would be exhausted from a very long march. Elayne agrees and he makes plans.
- Point of view: Egwene al'Vere
Egwene enters Tel'aran'rhiod. She meets with the Wise Ones in the Heart of the Stone. She overhears them discussing Bair seeing through the eyes of her descendants on her third visit to Rhuidean as Aviendha did. Egwene approaches the group, apologizing for her intrusion, and she tells them she can't stay long as she has a meeting with Rand later that day. They then ask her if she has noticed the odd deep black cracks in the rocks. They seem to appear more frequently when the Dreadlords fight. Egwene says that they are probably caused by balefire which Aes Sedai are forbidden to use. Amys tells Egwene that they will not be visiting the World of Dreams much anymore, as it has become dangerous to be there. They say their farewells to each other.
Egwene awakes in her quarters at the White Tower and meets with Rand. He presents her with a ribbon, which initially makes her angry, but he tells her that he wants to make amends and to go into the Last Battle as friends. He says Egwene was always like a sibling to him and that the sibling he does have doesn't know him. Egwene expresses frustration at what she sees as a waste of time but Rand explains he didn't want to go to the Last Battle thinking their last words were in argument. Egwene embraces him and says she supports him though she still doesn't agree with his stance on the seals. Gawyn then asks Rand about his sibling and is shocked to learn that Rand is the half brother of Galad. Egwene shows Rand the seals at his request. He reveals that the ones she has are fakes and he believes she has made copies to fool him but she denies it. They know the Dark One now holds the keys to his own prison.
- Point of view: Matrim Cauthon
Not having the Seanchan look at him is frustrating Mat. There is a freckled so'jhin among servants who he would like to make smile but she refuses to even raise her head in his presence. He is introduced to Nata, his personal tailor who is making his new regalia. Mat just barely keeps from having his hat burned. They make him a ceremonial warriors outfit which seems too ridiculous and overdone to Mat. They lacquer his fingernails making him one the Blood. He comes to the realization that, despite avoiding them for years, he's turned into a bloody nobleman.
Characters[]
- Elayne Trakand
- Davram t'Ghaline Bashere
- Egwene al'Vere
- Amys
- Bair
- Melaine
- Gawyn Trakand
- Rand al'Thor
- Matrim Cauthon
- Nata
Referenced[]
- Gareth Bryne
- Birgitte Silverbow
- Talmanes Delovinde
- Lan
- Moiraine Damodred
- Perrin Aybara
- Tigraine Mantear
- Galadedrid Damodred
- Taringail Damodred
- Aviendha
- Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag
- Lunal Galgan