- For other chapters with "surprise" in the title, see Surprises.
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| <<< Surprises >>> |
| Setting: the White Tower |
- Point of view: Moiraine Damodred
Summary[]
Setsuko wakes Siuan Sanche and Moiraine Damodred and tells them that the Amyrlin Seat has ordered all Accepted to be at the West Stable before Third Rise to continue with the White Tower bounty census. They both wash and dress quickly. Sheriam Bayanar reports that the Aiel are retreating. Merean finds Moiraine and tells her that the Amyrlin has exempted Moiraine from the census due to her uncles' deaths. Instead, she will be copying others' lists where they are near illegible. When Siuan agrees with Merean, Merean surprises Siuan by telling her that she will be assisting Moiraine in her duties.
"Sometimes, you two are passing strange."
They are taken to a small windowless room near the Amyrlin's apartments. Once they finish their breakfast, they are to return to the room to work and leave the completed copies in the anteroom of the Amyrlin's study. When Merean leaves, Moiraine rounds on Siuan about their tedious work. Siuan counters and says that they will get more names for their search for the Dragon Reborn this way, instead of just their own lists. Siuan didn't want to be included since she hates clerical work, but lets it pass. Siuan instead asks why Moiraine has been exempted and comforts her when she tells of her uncles' deaths.
Because they do not have to hurry, they take their time at breakfast. Laras frowns at them, and they quickly finish. They return to the room and begin to copy out the lists, noting some of the vagueness many Accepted used. Most of the lists are shorter than those gathered by Moiraine and Siuan. She notes one name taken by Myrelle Berengari. Salia Pomfrey had given birth to a boy and returned to her village in Andor after her husband died. Moiraine begins to despair when she realizes how vague many of the descriptions are. They work until lunch and when they come back to the room, Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan silently stares over their shoulders. Having nothing to criticize, she leaves.
"Remember that we are all threads in the Pattern, and the Wheel weaves as the Wheel wills."
The next day, they return to the room to continue, only to be confronted by two clerks, a stout woman with the Flame of Tar Valon on her sleeve named Mistress Wellin and a young handsome man named Martan. She tells Moiraine and Siuan that she dislikes "being set a tasks only to learn someone else is already performing it." Martan smiles at Moiraine and Mistress Wellin upbraids him and leaves. Siuan says that they should continue and "look busy" so that they can continue to find candidates who could be the Dragon Reborn, rather than have the work be handed over to clerks. Tamra Ospenya then comes into the room.
"I fear that affairs of state never wait on grief Moiraine."
Moiraine and Siuan leap to their feet and curtsy, but Moiraine forgot to put down the pen first and stains her white dress. The Amyrlin says that she had intended for Moiraine to have a freeday to study and then asks her if her uncles' deaths still trouble her. Moiraine gives a very Aes Sedai answer, saying she did have nightmares the previous night, but not saying they were about a baby crying in the snow and a young man breaking the world as he saved it. The Amyrlin says they may continue their copying, but when the boredom overcomes them, they are to leave a note and she will replace them with others. Tamra notices the stain, and says "I won't tell you not to channel to [clean your dress]; you know that already."
As the Amyrlin leaves, Moiraine says that she was just told to use the One Power to clean her dress. Siuan disagrees, but Moiraine counters, saying "you have to listen to what people mean as well as what they say," noting the similarities with the Game of Houses. She cleans her dress and gathers the ink into a small ebon bead. She keeps it as a memento. When she comes across another candidate for the Dragon Reborn, Bili Mandair, Siuan quickly writes the name in her own book. He was the son of a woman named Willa who was in Lord Ellisar's camp. Moiraine quickly decides she will keep her own list too.
The next day, Jarna Malari has Moiraine walk with her. She first talks of Moiraine's uncles, and then talks of who in House Damodred might ascend the Sun Throne in Cairhien. Moiraine is surprised by the question and says that rule of her home country will most likely pass to another House due to Laman Damodred's dark reputation. Jarna asks after Moiraine's sisters as well. After returning to her work, Moiraine is interrupted six more times by different Sitters, including Tsutama Rath, all asking after the throne of Cairhien. All of this gives Moiraine more nightmares.
Characters[]
"Have you ever thought of being the Queen of Cairien yourself?"
- Moiraine Damodred
- Siuan Sanche
- Setsuko
- Lisandre
- Sheriam Bayanar
- Merean Redhill
- Katerine Alruddin
- Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan
- Mistress Wellin
- Martan
- Tamra Ospenya
- Jarna Malari
- Tsutama Rath
Referenced[]
- Serafelle
- Ryma Galfrey
- Jennet Cobb
- Laman Damodred
- Moressin Damodred
- Aldecain Damodred
- Myrelle Berengari
- Salia Pomfrey
- Willa Mandair
- Ellid Abareim
- Bili Mandair
- Lord Ellisar
- Taringail Damodred
- Morgase Trakand - as the Queen of Andor
- Anvaere Damodred
- Innloine Damodred
- Meilyn Arganya
Groups[]
Referenced[]
Places[]
Referenced[]
Events[]
Referenced[]
Concepts[]
One Power[]
- Cleaning with the Power