Contents
Chapter 49
Overview
Loial returns to Caemlyn as Rand debates responsibilities with Perrin. Min warns that seven Aes Sedai are coming; they attempt to overawe Rand with Illusion, but he breaks it and reasserts his rules. Min then discovers thirteen Aes Sedai are present in the city, prompting Rand to Travel to Cairhien with his allies.
Merana’s authority collapses as Kiruna and Bera take control, select a smaller party to pursue Rand, and assign others to escort the Two Rivers novices to Salidar.
Summary
In Caemlyn’s palace courtyard, Rand and Perrin speak candidly about duty and risk before Loial arrives, road-worn but cheerful. News that Loial’s mother, Elder Haman, and Erith are in the Two Rivers sends Loial into comic panic about an impending marriage. Rand asks Loial to help secure Waygates with Ogier permission, drawing Perrin’s ire over how Rand uses friends.
Min bursts in, warning that seven Aes Sedai are on their way without permission. Rand hastens to the Grand Hall, where Aiel Maidens assemble. The seven sisters enter, vastly enlarged by the Mirror of Mists and demand freedom from his restrictions. Rand counters by unraveling their Illusion and calmly restates the limits, adding that they will show him due respect. The Aes Sedai withdraw.
Determined to learn more, Min returns to The Crown of Roses. With Warder Mahiro’s careful hints and the sudden arrival of Kiruna and Bera, she realizes there are now thirteen Aes Sedai in Caemlyn and sees an ominous viewing: blood, death, and the One Power linking Rand with those two women. She rides back at speed to warn him.
Confronted with thirteen, Rand decides to avoid a direct clash. He orders preparations, gathers Perrin, Faile, Loial, and many Maidens, writes Taim to avoid the Aes Sedai and warns Merana, then Travels to Cairhien. Exhausted from an internal struggle with Lews Therin while holding saidin, Rand has Loial carry him to his quarters in the Sun Palace.
In Caemlyn, Merana reads Rand’s letter: only up to six sisters may follow, matching the Tower embassy’s size. As the delegation meets, Kiruna and Bera override Merana’s authority, choose a pursuit party (including Faeldrin, Masuri, Rafela, Seonid, Verin, and Alanna), and assign Demira, Valinde, Kairen, and Berenicia to escort the Two Rivers girls to Salidar. Merana recognizes the embassy’s collapse and that the rebels need Rand more than he needs them.
Who Appears
- Rand al’ThorDragon Reborn; breaks Aes Sedai Illusion, reasserts restrictions, then Travels to Cairhien upon learning thirteen sisters are in Caemlyn.
- Min FarshawWarns Rand of seven Aes Sedai, then discovers thirteen; ominous viewing pushes Rand to flee; accompanies him.
- Merana AmbreyRebel embassy head; receives Rand’s limiting letter; loses control as Kiruna and Bera take charge.
- Kiruna NachimanArrives with Bera; asserts leadership over the embassy; forms a smaller party to pursue Rand.
- Bera HarkinArrives with Kiruna; helps seize control of the embassy and organize pursuit of Rand.
- Alanna MosvaniAdmits she cannot compel Rand through the bond; agrees to help locate him for Kiruna’s group.
- Perrin AybaraArgues with Rand about risking friends; hastily prepares to leave and Travels to Cairhien.
- LoialOgier friend; panics over possible marriage to Erith; agrees to go; carries exhausted Rand in Cairhien.
- NanderaMaiden leader; musters hundreds of Maidens and accompanies Rand’s sudden departure.
- SulinMaiden serving Rand; fetches attire and joins the move to Cairhien despite frustration.
- MelaineWise One; witnesses and approves Rand’s firm handling of the Aes Sedai.
- BaelClan chief; uneasy during the Aes Sedai confrontation, supports Rand publicly.
- Demira EriffBrown sister; leads the seven to confront Rand using Illusion; later reports on Rand’s absence.
- Rafela CindalPart of the confronting seven; later selected to pursue Rand under Kiruna’s lead.
- Faeldrin HarellaAmong the seven who challenge Rand; chosen to join the Cairhien pursuit.
- Masuri SokawaPresent at the confrontation; selected for the pursuit group to Cairhien.
- Seonid TraighanIn the confronting seven; chosen to go after Rand with added Warders.
- Verin MathwinObserves quietly; joins Kiruna’s group to Cairhien, subtly influencing discussion.
- Mistress HarforCaemlyn’s majordomo; announces the Aes Sedai arrival and supplies writing materials for Rand’s letters.
- Mahiro ShukosaRafela’s Warder; hints to Min the sisters aim to teach Rand a lesson; confirms Kiruna and Bera’s arrival.
- JalaniYoung Maiden; runs messages for Rand during the urgent preparations.
- Faile BasherePerrin’s wife; packs quickly and departs via gateway to Cairhien.
- GaulStone Dog; joins Perrin’s party to Cairhien, avoiding eye contact with Bain and Chiad.
- Bain and ChiadMaiden pair; choose to accompany Faile, maintaining tense distance with Gaul.
- Valinde NathenosWhite sister; present in the seven and later assigned to help escort Two Rivers girls.
- Kairen StangBlue sister; alarmed by events; assigned to escort the Two Rivers novices.
- Berenicia MorsadYellow sister; quiet observer; tasked to assist Merana with the novices.