Contents
Chapter 19
Overview
Elayne and Nynaeve negotiate passage with the Sea Folk Sailmistress Coine and Windfinder Jorin aboard Wavedancer. Coine accepts, citing the Jendai Prophecy and the Coramoor, but demands secrecy about Aes Sedai aboard. Cargomaster Toram objects to the sudden course change. The meeting ends as the ship lurches at dock, sending the crew to check for damage.
Summary
At dawn in Tear’s Maule, Elayne and Nynaeve arrive at the Sea Folk raker Wavedancer. Observing unfamiliar customs and hierarchy, they are received by Sailmistress Coine and Windfinder Jorin and ushered to the cabin to discuss passage.
Inside, Elayne notices a captured Seanchan helmet and learns Coine once repelled a Seanchan ship. When Nynaeve warns about damane, Coine steers the talk to passage. She reveals the Sea Folk rarely carry Aes Sedai and shifts to the Jendai Prophecy: the Coramoor has come, Aes Sedai will serve him, and the fall of the Stone fulfills signs. Pressed for their purpose, Elayne discloses they hunt the Black Ajah in Tanchico to protect the Dragon Reborn.
Jorin urges acceptance; Coine agrees to sail for Tanchico, not for gold but for the Coramoor. She demands secrecy because the crew may consider Aes Sedai bad luck, asking them to stay below and remove their Great Serpent rings. Elayne and Nynaeve comply.
Cargomaster Toram enters, upset that planned trade to Mayene and Shara is being abandoned. Coine asserts her authority but regrets concealing the true reason from him. She and Jorin drop formality privately, joking tensely about mutiny and the Windfinder’s importance to navigation.
As Coine moves to honor custom but make ready to sail, Wavedancer suddenly heaves violently against the dock. Coine and Jorin rush topside, shouting for hull checks, ending the meeting amid urgency.
Who Appears
- Elayne TrakandPoses as Green Ajah; negotiates frankly with the Sea Folk; reveals they hunt the Black Ajah in Tanchico; complies with secrecy.
- Nynaeve al'MearaLeads initial formalities; pushes bluntly for swift passage; warns about Seanchan; agrees to hide Aes Sedai identity.
- Coine din Jubai Wild WindsSailmistress of Wavedancer; accepts passage for the Coramoor per Jendai Prophecy; enforces secrecy; overrules her Cargomaster.
- Jorin din Jubai White WingWindfinder; supports taking the Aes Sedai; underscores her navigational importance; assists in emergency response.
- ToramCargomaster and Coine’s husband; protests rerouting from profitable plans; unaware of the true reason; bristles but obeys.
- DoreleYoung crewwoman reprimanded for shore impropriety; assigned to clean bilges; illustrates Sea Folk discipline and customs.