Chapter 7

At dawn, Egwene and a nervous Elayne, adorned with jewels Aviendha provided, approach Rand’s chambers past alert Stone Dog Aiel guards led by Gaul. They learn Rand is in a foul mood after physically ejecting a High Lord. Inside, the rooms are cluttered; Callandor gleams, mirrors are gone from last night’s horror. Rand startles at their entrance, then grows suspicious of Moiraine’s influence.

Egwene declares they came to help him with channeling. After awkward banter and Elayne’s plea, Rand agrees to try. Egwene embraces saidar at full strength and confirms Rand can sense a woman holding the Source. When they ask him to use saidin, Rand jokingly pinches them with the Power; they retaliate, and he reacts in pain.

Suddenly, Rand lifts and shields both women with saidin; they cannot touch the Source. He makes tables dance, fire roar, and melts a gold-and-silver statuette into a woven sheet before losing control and setting the tables ablaze. He then quenches the flames by drawing heat into the hearthstone and releases them, shaken and apologetic. The women ready shields but stand down as Rand steadies himself.

They sit and compare methods. Rand explains the Flame and the Void, seizing and wrestling saidin; Egwene describes surrendering to the rosebud’s opening to saidar. Rand admits he often acts by half-remembered instinct and that Fire comes easily; he recalls extinguishing the flames by pulling heat away, which horrifies the women, who know that is deadly for them. The differences convince Egwene they cannot teach him.

As they prepare to part, Egwene raises her second purpose: she cannot marry Rand. After mutual surprise, both admit their feelings have changed; they release each other from their youthful promise. Egwene departs satisfied, leaving Elayne to pursue Rand while he turns back to instructing Tear’s High Lords.