Chapter 40

Exiting the Waygate on Toman Head, Egwene, Nynaeve, Elayne, Min, and Liandrin find a Seanchan force waiting, led by High Lady Suroth, sul’dam with leashes, and armored soldiers. Liandrin identifies Egwene and Nynaeve as targets and names Elayne as Daughter-Heir, revealing her betrayal.

In the sudden chaos, a hooknosed officer seizes Min and Elayne. Wind and panic scatter horses as a sul’dam snaps a silver collar, the a’dam, onto Egwene and links it to her own bracelet. Egwene’s attempt to strike the sul’dam—Renna—rebounds on Egwene through the a’dam, teaching that any harm to the sul’dam is doubled on the damane. Nynaeve and Elayne slip away amid lightning and confusion.

Suroth and Liandrin trade threats while acknowledging a mutual “master.” Suroth refuses to linger under risk from Turak and the Seekers, but orders recalls sounded. Soldiers return without Nynaeve or Elayne. When the officer moves to kill Min, Egwene pleads; Suroth spares Min conditionally, binding Egwene’s obedience, and the captives are marched west toward Falme.

On the road, Renna punishes Egwene via the a’dam for speaking out and explains Seanchan doctrine: sul’dam hold leashes; damane are leashed women who channel; the a’dam’s origin traces to a woman once calling herself Aes Sedai. Attempts to lie or channel without command bring invisible lashes and scalding pain. Alwhin, another sul’dam, reinforces the threat, and Min is also tormented when she tries to intervene.

Meanwhile, Nynaeve, cut off from saidar by fear, reunites with Elayne after evading pursuit. They conclude Egwene and Min were taken and decide to head for Falme, planning to obtain local clothing as disguises. Determined to rescue their friends, they ride west, pushing through worry to deliberate caution.