Chapter 17

In Tear’s Stone, Thom Merrilin lifts servants’ spirits while seeding rumors that High Lords enabled Trollocs via docked barges, aiming to erode trust in the nobility and bolster Rand. Returning exhausted, he finds Moiraine in his room. She subtly Heals his knee, exposes knowledge of his past, and pressures him to protect Elayne and Nynaeve in Tanchico, promising the names of Reds who illegally gentled his nephew Owyn. Torn between guarding Rand and avenging Owyn, Thom breaks down after she leaves.

In Tar Valon, Min maintains her Elmindreda disguise, bantering with Gawyn and the austere Galad, who praises Whitecloak doctrine. She then sees Logain haloed in gold and blue, a viewing of future glory, and hurries to report it.

With Leane present, Siuan catalogs mounting crises—Cairhien’s famine, Borderland raids, a “Prophet” in Ghealdan, trade unrest—then orders tighter watch on Logain. Min begs to go to Rand but is refused. Pigeons bring news: Mazrim Taim has escaped, two sisters slain; Siuan dispatches sisters and soldiers and orders Taim gentled upon recapture. A second message confirms prophecy—Rand has taken the Stone and drawn Callandor—so Siuan calls the Hall to align the Tower openly with the Dragon Reborn.

Elsewhere, novice Sahra Covenry, on punitive farm duty, is confronted by a hooded Aes Sedai demanding details about Min’s arrival as Elmindreda. When Sahra can offer little beyond that Min spoke with Gawyn, the Aes Sedai tortures and kills her and leaves the farmhouse silent, revealing the Black Ajah’s deadly search for Min.