Chapter 47

Siuan Sanche reviews Tower minutiae, fretting over silence from Moiraine, when Elaida storms in with Sitters and sisters from multiple Ajahs. Shielded from saidar and bound, Siuan watches Alviarin destroy her secret box and hears the Hall has lawfully deposed her. She and Keeper Leane are seized; Siuan’s Warder Alric lies murdered. War erupts in the Tower as disguised “masons” and factions clash.

In the grounds, Min arrives amid chaos and learns from Gawyn that Siuan has been deposed and that Warders and trainees are fighting. Choosing action over flight, Min teams with Laras, who arms her with keys and resolve. In the deep cells, Min and Laras free the battered Siuan and Leane—now visibly younger and bereft of the ageless look.

The women dress as petitioners and slip through hushed, bloodstained corridors. Min reveals the civil strife, the split Ajahs, and the slander that Siuan freed Taim and caused Logain’s escape. They kneel unseen as Elaida, newly Amyrlin, passes with Alviarin as Keeper. Siuan hardens her purpose to survive and someday expose Elaida.

Outside, they find the horses, but Gawyn confronts them, sword at Siuan’s throat, demanding Elayne and Egwene’s whereabouts. Siuan names Illian and denies being Black Ajah. Shaken yet implacable, Gawyn spares them so their knowledge remains, issues a sealed pass, and escorts them to the Alindrelle Gates with the Younglings. He admits killing Hammar and Coulin in the fighting and orders them to go.

Riding through an emptied city, they debate escape by bridge or by ship. Siuan insists on staying near Tar Valon to rally fleeing sisters and block Elaida’s hold. Spotting a furtive man, Siuan boldly intercepts him—Logain—who despondently seeks to flee. She offers him a path to revenge on the Reds and extraction from the city. Logain pledges himself, and the group heads for the river, Min troubled by viewings foretelling Gawyn’s perilous path and Logain’s future glory.