You wanted to go off alone. You were warned but you had to go. Never a care for what might be waiting. There are things in dreams to shatter the bravest heart. Things to eat the bravest heart.
— Amys to Egwene after finding her in tel'aran'rhiod alone.
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| Setting: Tel'aran'rhiod, Chaendaer |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Egwene al'Vere
Elayne is in Tel'aran'rhiod garbed as the Sea Folk are while away from shore when Egwene appears. Egwene tells Elayne what has happened at Rhuidean and that Rand has plans that he won't share with anyone. Elayne mentions that the Sea Folk believe Rand is their Coramoor and Coine is spreading the word to other Sea Folk vessels as they travel toward Tanchico. They are only two or three days from making it to the port city. Elayne lets slip that some of the Windfinders can channel and Egwene confirms that some Wise Ones can too, Aviendha among them. Elayne is trying to tell Egwene about her letters to Rand when suddenly Egwene is yanked out of Tel'aran'rhiod.
Egwene becomes furious with Amys for taking her away from the meeting, but Amys is just as furious that Egwene did not keep her word to not go to Tel'aran'rhiod alone. Amys blocks Egwene from the Source, hangs her by her feet, and appears to transform into a terrible reptile in a dream before letting Egwene come fully awake. Amys threatens to stop teaching Egwene until Egwene promises not to break her word again. As punishment Egwene must braid her hair as a Aiel child does. After Egwene waits patiently without protest, Amys agrees to accompany her to future meetings with Elayne or Nynaeve.
Amys takes Egwene to a meeting with the other Wise Ones, Aviendha, and Moiraine. They discuss Rand and how they can maximize the number of Aiel who survive.[1] The Wise Ones wish to have an Aiel close to Rand to guide and teach him Aiel customs, so that he does not offend any of the chiefs. The Wise Ones also need to know what he will do in advance so that they can plan accordingly. They discuss whether Egwene or Moiraine can learn about his plans but the two doubt he will confide in them, and Melaine points out flatly that their motives are not exactly aligned with those of the Aes Sedai in any case. Aviendha is chosen and is furious at the prospect, but won't say why. Aviendha protests mightily and the Wise Ones threaten many punishments until Egwene soothes her and asks her to do it on her and Elayne's behalf. She agrees and Egwene passes on Elayne's message about the letters.[2]
Egwene asks Moiraine about what she saw in Rhuidean but Moiraine only gives a cryptic response, saying she was already aware of some things that she saw. She mentions her life's work of finding and aiding the Dragon Reborn, a quest that she will see to its end, no matter the cost. Her voice has an air of finality to it.
Characters[]
Referenced[]
- Thom
- Juilin
- Rand
- Lan
- Nynaeve
- Mat
- Rhuarc
- Jorin din Jubai White Wing
- Coine din Jubai Wild Winds
- Couladin
- Liandrin
- Berelain
- Siuan Sanche
Places[]
Referenced[]
Items[]
Notes
- ↑ Bair admitted in The Shadow Rising, Chapter 34 that the Prophecy of Rhuidean states that by following Rand, a remnant of a remnant of the Aiel will survive. The Wise Ones are focused on maximizing the size of that remnant.
- ↑ Elayne tries to tell Egwene to tell Rand that she meant what she said in her first letter, where she addresses him lovingly. The second letter reprimands him, as she wrote it after she was disappointed that Rand did not ask her to stay with him. Egwene did not hear the last part of Elayne's sentence due to her abrupt departure and assumes Elayne was talking about both letters.
- At least one edition has the wheel icon for this chapter.
- There is a misprint in this chapter on page 576 of the Tor paperback first printing. When Amys wakes Egwene from travelling in Tel'aran'rhiod, Egwene notes that "Nynaeve's blankets are empty," when it is supposed to be Moiraine. At this point Nynaeve is with Elayne on course to Tanchico, and Moiraine is with Egwene in the Aiel Waste. It is further confirmed on the next page, after Amys leads Egwene to the sweat lodge, she notes that "Moiraine was already there."