Contents
Chapter 25
Overview
Egwene briefs the Wise Ones on Elaida’s embassy and proposes safeguards, then secretly scouts Lady Arilyn’s house where strong channeling occurs. Fleeing discovery, she collides with Gawyn; they confess love, and he vows secrecy and not to harm Rand. Meanwhile, embassy sisters court Cairhienin and Tairen nobles and prepare contingencies, while Galina suspects Moiraine still lives.
Summary
Before dawn, Egwene meets with Wise Ones led by Amys and Sorilea to review the White Tower embassy. She identifies Nesune and Sarene and recommends countermeasures: shadow any sisters entering the Sun Palace to detect traps, verify the embassy numbers remain six, and keep soldiers under watch. The Wise Ones assign teams and chiefs, resisting calls to remove the embassy by force.
Egwene slips into Cairhien to locate Lady Arilyn’s mansion, the embassy’s base. Sensing strong channeling inside, she risks Moiraine’s eavesdropping weave, but hears mostly servants and a clipped hint of Coiren’s preparations. When Nesune emerges searching the street, Egwene retreats—and runs straight into Gawyn.
In a private inn room, Gawyn reveals he leads the embassy’s honor guard. He believes Rand killed Morgase; Egwene swears Elayne lives and presses him for restraint. They confess love, and Gawyn promises not to reveal Egwene to the Aes Sedai and not to raise a hand against Rand until she proves his innocence. He begs her to flee with him; she refuses but tells him when she enters the city each morning, trusting his word.
Egwene briefly returns to watch Arilyn’s house, noting continued channeling and another sister’s arrival, then withdraws. Intercut scenes show Katerine courting Lady Colavaere’s ambition, Nesune sounding out High Lord Meilan, and Coiren’s circle debating strategy. Galina argues Moiraine may have faked her death and could be the rumored Green near Rand, proposing custody if caught. Coiren orders continued “preparations,” and Sarene methodically readies herself with exercises.
Who Appears
- Egwene al’VereAdvises Wise Ones on countering Elaida’s embassy, spies Arilyn’s house, reunites with Gawyn, declares love, and secures his secrecy and restraint.
- Gawyn TrakandLeads the embassy’s honor guard; believes Rand killed Morgase; vows secrecy, promises not to harm Rand, and confesses love to Egwene.
- SorileaDominant Wise One; directs surveillance and rejects violent solutions to the embassy problem.
- AmysWise One host; coordinates Wise Ones entering the Sun Palace and monitoring Aes Sedai activity.
- BairWise One strategist; shares intelligence on embassy guards and supports monitoring plans.
- Coiren SaeldainGray sister leading the embassy; oversees preparations and political outreach to secure Cairhien.
- Nesune BiharaBrown sister; investigates the Royal Library and consults Meilan; nearly spots Egwene outside Arilyn’s house.
- Sarene NemdahlWhite sister; plans approaches to Berelain, defends contingency planning, and practices to prepare for confronting Rand.
- Galina CasbanRed sister; suspects Moiraine still lives disguised as a Green and presses to seize her if found.
- Erian BoroleosGreen sister; agitated by rumors of a Green near Rand and eager for harsh measures.
- Katerine AlruddinRed sister; quietly enlists Lady Colavaere by describing the power vacuum if Rand leaves.
- Lady ColavaereCairhienin noble; intrigued by Aes Sedai hints of opportunity should Rand depart.
- High Lord MeilanTairen lord; listens warily as Nesune signals a coming need for strength in Cairhien.