Contents
Chapter 18
Overview
Egwene and Nynaeve race down the Erinin to Tar Valon, haunted by Egwene’s prophetic dreams of Rand and a fiery-eyed masked man. Aboard ship, the Amyrlin forcefully instructs them, revealing Nynaeve’s raw power and shielding her. In Tar Valon, Sheriam welcomes them; Egwene is enrolled as a novice, Nynaeve as an Accepted.
Summary
On the River Queen, Egwene frets over recurring dreams that warn Rand is in worsening danger and feature a contemptuous, masked man with eyes of fire. Nynaeve, seasick and irritable, cautiously accepts the dreams may be meaningful. Egwene withholds some details from Anaiya out of instinct, fearing for Rand.
The Amyrlin Seat visits their cabin and, after a brief exchange, begins a lesson. Demonstrating Air, she immobilizes both women, explaining the importance of restraint and practicality with the One Power. Provoked, Nynaeve instinctively counters and pins the Amyrlin to the wall, revealing immense potential, but the Amyrlin shields Nynaeve from the Source, showing that greater knowledge can trump raw strength.
The lesson continues harshly, with the Amyrlin deliberately needling Nynaeve to evoke her temper and channeling, while Egwene is coaxed to careful control. Afterward, Egwene quietly practices a fingertip flame in excitement; Nynaeve, humiliated and furious, vows silence between them about what happened.
The ships dock at Tar Valon. The women are initially overlooked in the bustle of the Amyrlin’s arrival but make their way ashore. They are awed by the Ogier-built city, the Shining Walls, soaring towers, and Dragonmount’s looming presence, which reminds Egwene of Rand’s peril and men channeling.
Sheriam, Mistress of Novices, greets them warmly, confirming Nynaeve’s unusual elevation straight to the Accepted and setting Egwene’s path as a novice. Sheriam outlines the rigors ahead: novice training will be hard, though not as punishing as the initial trials for the Accepted. With that, she leads them into the White Tower to be settled.
Who Appears
- Egwene al’VereHaunted by prophetic dreams about Rand and a fiery-eyed man; learns controlled channeling under the Amyrlin; arrives in Tar Valon as a new novice.
- Nynaeve al’MearaSeasick and temper-driven channeler; clashes powerfully with the Amyrlin before being shielded; designated to enter as one of the Accepted.
- The Amyrlin SeatPersonally instructs Egwene and Nynaeve; demonstrates Air, immobilizes them, and shields Nynaeve, revealing both danger and discipline.
- SheriamMistress of Novices; greets them in Tar Valon, confirms Egwene as novice and Nynaeve as Accepted, and outlines the hardships of training.
- LeaneKeeper of the Chronicles; accompanies the Amyrlin during arrival and formalities on the dock.