Contents
Chapter 27
Overview
Egwene secretly meets Gawyn, learns Tower Aes Sedai are hunting, and hurries to warn Rand. Rand hides Egwene with saidin and receives Coiren, Galina, and Nesune, who bring gold and an invitation to the Tower.
Rand accepts the gift but delays going, forbids them approaching within a mile, and reveals canny awareness of Tower politics, while showing troubling signs of hearing unseen voices.
Summary
Egwene, elated and distracted after a clandestine morning with Gawyn, is warned by him that the Tower Aes Sedai he escorts are searching for someone like her. She resolves to avoid them and returns to the Aiel tents, where apprentices gossip that Rand has returned and will meet the Tower embassy.
Concerned, Egwene slips into the Sun Palace to advise Rand. After brief banter and tension over the Tower, Rand abruptly weaves saidin to make Egwene invisible and positions her to observe. Coiren, Galina, and Nesune arrive with servants bearing two chests of gold and a gracious invitation from Elaida to come to Tar Valon under Tower protection.
Linked and embracing saidar, the three are forced by Rand to release the Source. He accepts the gift, but pointedly delays going to the Tower, insists none of them approach him or the Palace within a mile without permission, and dismisses them. He baitingly asks after Alviarin, then later tells Egwene he suspects Galina is tied to Alviarin. Egwene is alarmed by Rand’s apparent exchanges with an unseen presence and asks about his Traveling; he explains it as boring a hole through the Pattern.
Afterward, in their coach, the Aes Sedai dissect the meeting: they conclude Rand can detect saidar, note a hidden sister was present though unseen, and debate next moves. Galina suggests finding Moiraine; Coiren demands caution and time, believing gold and patience will suffice. Egwene slips away, resolved to avoid discovery while the Sea Folk still wait for an audience Rand postpones.
Who Appears
- Egwene al'VereWarns Rand about Tower Aes Sedai, is hidden by saidin to observe the meeting, worries about capture and Rand’s sanity.
- Rand al'ThorMeets Coiren’s embassy, compels them to release saidar, accepts their gold, delays going to the Tower, imposes distance, seems to hear unseen voices.
- Coiren SaeldainLeads Elaida’s embassy, delivers gold and invitation, maintains poise, agrees to wait despite restrictions.
- Galina CasbanHard-eyed Aes Sedai; proposes finding Moiraine; appears tied to Alviarin; resents Rand’s limits.
- Nesune BiharaObservant Brown; notes a hidden channeler, treats Rand as a study subject, urges analytical caution.
- Gawyn TrakandSecretly meets Egwene, warns that his Aes Sedai escort search for someone like her.
- SomaraMaiden guarding Rand’s doors; admits Egwene and announces the Aes Sedai arrival.
- SurandhaSorilea’s apprentice; chats with Egwene, reports Wise Ones’ day off and Rand’s return.
- EstairAeron’s apprentice; reverent of the Car’a’carn, shares news that Rand will meet the Tower Aes Sedai.