— Verin Mathwin to Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve
- For the chapter with the same title in Crossroads of Twilight, see Crossroads of Twilight/Chapter 17.
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| Setting: Tar Valon, Caralain Grass |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Egwene al'Vere
Egwene, Nynaeve, Verin, Elayne and Hurin are returning to Tar Valon, bringing Mat with them for Healing. She cannot see the city as they approach it but knows it is there as Dragonmount looms in the distance. It is spring now and they have been traveling since winter. She has been dreaming of Rand running toward something and also away from something. She expects that Anaiya will continue testing her dreams. She burns with the desire to resume her training, to get stronger, so that she will never be a prisoner again. She hates her gray dress, the color of damane clothing, but it was the only riding dress available. She tells her horse Bela that she'll never wear gray again if she can help it.
Nynaeve approaches and tells Egwene to stop talking to herself, since she should be keeping watch for danger instead. Egwene reflects that all six in the party have secrets. She worries about Rand and Perrin. Nynaeve knows Egwene has been having dreams again. Nynaeve says a storm is coming but it is not the weather. Verin and Elayne are with them also. Mat is on a litter and has been unconscious for three days. Hurin says he senses trouble ahead because of the tracks of horsemen he has seen. Nynaeve says they will be in trouble when they get back to the Tower, even though they return with Mat. Mat has the ruby-hilted dagger now but he is close to dying. Verin and Nynaeve have both tried Healing him to no avail. Nynaeve blames her lack of herbs.
Children of the Light led by Dain Bornhald approach them. Verin tells them to stay calm and let her do all the talking. Bornhald recognizes Verin as Aes Sedai and assumes Nynaeve is one too. Verin says Whitecloaks have no authority here and cannot stop them. Bornhald wants to take them for Questioning. He calls Verin a witch. Elayne jumps in and identifies herself; she tells Bornhald to move aside or he will have her mother Morgase to deal with. He responds that Morgase no longer supports the White Tower and would thank him to return her to Caemlyn. Egwene begins to panic over being a prisoner again and fills herself with the Power, erupting the ground in front of the Whitecloaks. Nynaeve starts to channel and does the same and so does Elayne. The Whitecloaks ride away except for Bornhald who was unhorsed and is standing defiant. Egwene finally lets go of saidar and listens to Verin. Verin tells them Aes Sedai don't use the Power as a weapon. Verin says she could have talked them out of bullying them. Egwene apologizes to Bornhald but mentions Falme. Bornhald accuses them of killing his father since he believes it was Aes Sedai, not Seanchan that fought at Falme. The party rides off as Dain Bornhald tells them to remember his name.
Characters[]
Referenced[]
- Lews Therin
- Anaiya
- Rand
- Galad
- Moiraine
- Lan
- Perrin
- Easar - as King of Shienar
- Siuan Sanche - as Amyrlin
- Morgase - as Elayne's Mother
- Sheriam
- Eamon Valda
- Jaret Byar
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