Contents
Chapter 11
Overview
Verin and Alanna subdue panic among the Two Rivers girls, then privately confront the White Tower’s fracture, Alanna’s unauthorized bonding of Rand, and his amnesty for male channelers. They resolve to locate his trainees.
Rand, disturbed by the new bond, Travels to the farm, finds Taim driving harsh lessons, reinstates sword training, restricts contact with Aes Sedai, and authorizes Taim to recruit men via gateways.
Summary
After Rand departs, Verin calms the frightened Two Rivers girls while Alanna uses an intimidating Illusion to drive them to their rooms. The display also terrifies the inn’s staff, whom Verin steadies with orders and brandied tea. Verin draws Alanna aside to talk.
In private, they confront the chaos: Moiraine and Siuan likely gone, the Tower broken, and rumors confirmed by a coded message calling all loyal Aes Sedai back with “all forgiven.” Verin challenges Alanna over bonding Rand without consent; Alanna calls it logical but is shaken by Rand’s strength. They debate Rand’s amnesty for male channelers and decide they must discover where he keeps the men, planning discreet moves while Verin maneuvers to guide Alanna.
Meanwhile, Rand, rattled by the new bond’s constant presence, Travels from the palace to the farm to escape Alanna’s nearness. Struggling with Lews Therin’s voice, he forces control and surveys Taim’s class as they explode stones under crude shields. Rand rebukes Taim for dismissing swordmaster Henre Haslin and orders sword training restored so trainees are not helpless if shielded.
Rand forbids all trips to Caemlyn and commands absolute avoidance of Aes Sedai, rejecting Taim’s casual talk of killing them. Pressed for growth, he weighs Taim’s proposal to recruit directly: visit villages as the Dragon Reborn’s agent, gather volunteers, and bring them by gateway to the farm. Despite risks, Rand authorizes horses and the plan, aiming to build strength quickly while trying to avert open conflict with Aes Sedai.
Who Appears
- Verin MathwinCalms the Two Rivers girls, challenges Alanna’s bonding, confirms Tower schism, and plots to locate Rand’s trainees.
- Alanna MosvaniIntimidates girls with Illusion, reels from unauthorized bond to Rand, debates amnesty, agrees to investigate his men.
- Rand al'ThorFlees Alanna’s bond, Travels to the farm, restores sword training, restricts Aes Sedai contact, approves Taim’s recruiting plan.
- Mazrim TaimDrives harsh training with exploding stones, scorns swords, proposes gateway recruitment; agreed to by Rand.
- TomasVerin’s Warder; steadies the shaken innkeeper and quietly manages disruptions.
- IhvonAlanna’s Warder; watches warily, protective and cautious after Owein’s death.
- Master DilhamInnkeeper, terrified by events; recovers with Tomas’s help and hopes to boast of Rand’s visit.
- AzrilServing maid; frightened but serves brandied tea to soothe the girls and staff.
- Larine AyellinTwo Rivers woman; panics and demands to flee Caemlyn before Alanna cowls them.
- Bodewhin CauthonMat’s sister; insists they must find and rescue Mat from Rand’s grasp.
- Jancy TorfinnYoung Two Rivers girl with inborn spark; shaken yet curious, wants to see Caemlyn.
- ElleTwo Rivers girl; breaks into wailing until Alanna’s Illusion silences the room.
- Sora GradyWatches coldly from the farmhouse; only wife remaining after failed testings.
- Damer FlinnOlder trainee; demonstrates destructive weave, farthest along per Taim.
- Eben HopwilYoung trainee; nervous and unsteady while placing stones with Air.
- Fedwin MorrYoung trainee from first group; continues training under Taim’s pressure.
- Jur GradyTrainee; among the first tested who can learn, training at the farm.
- Henre HaslinFormer Guards swordmaster; dismissed by Taim; Rand orders his return for lessons.
- Lews Therin TelamonVoice in Rand’s mind; mocks pride and urges violence, fearful of Alanna’s bond.