Contents
Chapter 36
Overview
Egwene is publicly proclaimed Amyrlin, swiftly appoints Sheriam as Keeper, and issues bold decrees, including raising Nynaeve and Elayne to Aes Sedai, provoking friction with Romanda and Lelaine.
Privately, Egwene outlines a strategy to manage competing power blocs. Nynaeve and Elayne reveal a powerful weather ter’angreal in Ebou Dar, and Egwene commits to sending them.
Summary
Egwene wakes in Salidar as the newly chosen Amyrlin, reflecting on the political maneuvering around her selection and the differing pressures from Sheriam’s circle, Romanda, and Lelaine. Chesa prepares her for the morning’s ceremony, while Egwene steels herself for the role.
Outside, the Sitters raise Egwene on a platform of Air and proclaim her Amyrlin before the assembled village. Seizing the moment, Egwene shortens the scripted speech, names Sheriam Keeper, absolves novices and Accepted of punishments, and controversially declares Theodrin, Faolain, Nynaeve, and Elayne raised to Aes Sedai, stunning the Hall.
Back inside, Sheriam hurries Egwene to her bare study as Romanda and Lelaine confront her over breaking custom and law. Egwene argues the political necessity of normalizing her own untested status and deflects them, then agrees with Sheriam to consult more while noting the attempt to manage her.
Nynaeve and Elayne visit privately. They exchange news of Rand, including his intent to grant Elayne the Lion and Sun Thrones, which angers Elayne. The pair reveal they found in Tel’aran’rhiod a powerful weather ter’angreal—a bowl in Ebou Dar—that could repair the climate but likely needs many women. They ask to be sent; Egwene explains the Hall’s constraints, outlines her plan to play rival factions against each other, and promises to send them as soon as she can.
Who Appears
- Egwene al’VerePublicly proclaimed Amyrlin; appoints Sheriam Keeper; issues bold decrees; plans to outmaneuver Hall factions and send Nynaeve and Elayne to Ebou Dar.
- Sheriam BayanarNamed Keeper of the Chronicles; seeks to guide Egwene’s decisions and manage Hall relations.
- Romanda CassinYellow Sitter; leads the proclamation; confronts Egwene over breaking custom and asserts Hall authority.
- Lelaine AkashiBlue Sitter; rivals Romanda; challenges Egwene’s decrees and presses Hall prerogatives.
- Nynaeve al’MearaNewly named Aes Sedai by Egwene; reports discovery of a weather-altering bowl in Ebou Dar; seeks permission to go.
- Elayne TrakandNewly named Aes Sedai; indignant at Rand’s intent to ‘grant’ her thrones; co-discovers the Ebou Dar bowl and asks to be sent.
- ChesaEgwene’s maid; assists her morning preparations and offers homely support.