Contents
Chapter 12
Overview
The Amyrlin departs Fal Dara after a failed assassination, taking Egwene and Nynaeve toward Tar Valon. On the road, Verin begins training them; Nynaeve’s uncontrolled power flares into fire, proving her strength and volatility. Near Medo, Moiraine, Liandrin, and Verin slip away. Egwene Dreams of Rand in danger, and Anaiya hastens her aboard the River Queen.
Summary
In Fal Dara’s turmoil, an unseen archer wounds the Amyrlin’s sleeve. Despite Lord Agelmar’s protests, the Amyrlin insists on departing immediately for Tar Valon. Egwene and Nynaeve join the Aes Sedai column, guarded by Warders, and the company pushes south and west through the Shienaran hills.
On the road, Moiraine keeps her distance, speaking privately with other sisters. Verin Mathwin visits Egwene and Nynaeve at night, explaining the dangers of channeling without control and distinguishing Egwene’s eagerness from Nynaeve’s wilder background. Verin begins lessons, urging surrender to saidar for control.
During instruction, Egwene manages only faint breezes. Nynaeve struggles until anger triggers an uncontrolled burst that ignites stacked blankets; Verin swiftly extinguishes the flames, warning that lack of control can kill or burn one out. Subsequent nightly lessons from various sisters follow: Alviarin is brisk and practical; Alanna talks freely and shows interest in the Two Rivers boys; Liandrin interrogates them about Rand, Mat, and Perrin until Nynaeve throws her out.
As the column reaches Medo to embark, Egwene learns that Moiraine and Lan departed two days earlier, Liandrin followed, and then Verin vanished as well, angering the Amyrlin. Amid hurried loading, Egwene confides to Anaiya a vivid dream: a masked man of fire-eyes, then Rand sleeping beneath the gaze of a sinister woman, followed by Rand’s sudden disappearance and a sense of a many-jawed trap.
Anaiya considers that Egwene might be a rare Dreamer, linked to Foretelling, and urges further talk aboard the Amyrlin’s ship. With the fleet preparing to sail, Anaiya sends Egwene to the River Queen, where Nynaeve already waits, as Egwene remains certain Rand is in immediate danger somewhere to the south.
Who Appears
- Egwene al'VereTravels with the Amyrlin; trains in channeling; Dreams of Rand’s peril and is sent to the River Queen.
- Nynaeve al'MearaReluctant trainee; unleashes accidental fire when angered, revealing great power and need for control.
- The Amyrlin SeatColdly resolute after assassination attempt; drives rapid departure for Tar Valon with strict timelines.
- Verin MathwinBegins teaching Egwene and Nynaeve; explains dangers of uncontrolled channeling; later disappears from the column.
- AnaiyaOrganizes embarkation at Medo; considers Egwene a possible Dreamer; directs her to the River Queen.
- Moiraine DamodredKeeps distant on the march; then secretly departs with Lan two days before Medo.
- LiandrinRed Ajah; interrogates about the boys, especially Rand; later slips away from the column.
- Lan MandragoranMeets Nynaeve once at night; then leaves Fal Dara’s column with Moiraine.
- Lord Agelmar JagadProtests the Amyrlin’s immediate departure and vows to find the assassin.
- Leane SharifRides beside the Amyrlin’s palanquin, managing order during the departure.