Contents
Chapter 15
Overview
Egwene reels after being pulled into Gawyn’s dream; the Wise Ones confirm strong emotion can trap a dreamwalker and caution her to rest. In Salidar, Tarna leaves and Romanda offers a noncommittal proclamation. Elayne and Nynaeve urge a mission to retrieve the weather bowl but are denied; Nynaeve’s outburst earns punishment, while Sheriam’s faction privately concedes fear and deep secrecy.
Summary
Egwene wakes in Cairhien exhausted and embarrassed after being drawn into Gawyn’s sensual dream, her post–Tel’aran’rhiod headache lingering. Wise Ones Amys, Bair, and Melaine visit, disciplining the recalcitrant gai’shain Cowinde and discussing the spreading Aiel “bleakness.” When Egwene asks, they explain that strong love or hate can pull a dreamwalker into another’s dream and make escape difficult; Bair recalls rare cases of being drawn in by mere awareness.
Assured her headaches will fade with rest, Egwene resolves to avoid Gawyn’s dreams, though her feelings complicate that resolve. Meanwhile in Salidar, crowds gather as Tarna Feir departs under Warder escort. Siuan hints Elaida’s message invites reconciliation, which the Hall delays addressing. Romanda delivers a bland assurance that nothing has changed, deepening frustration.
Nynaeve and Elayne press Sheriam, Morvrin, and Carlinya to let them go to Ebou Dar to retrieve the weather bowl ter’angreal. Elayne claims it may require a man’s channeling, hoping to bind the Hall to Rand. The Aes Sedai refuse, insisting the Accepted remain to study and that Merilille be tasked instead. Nynaeve explodes, accusing the Hall of fear—of the Tower’s division, the Forsaken, the Black Ajah, and Rand—and of secrecy that botched the night’s defensive circles.
Afterward, Elayne and Nynaeve are sentenced to kitchen drudgery, supervised by Faolain, losing a chance at special status like Theodrin. Sheriam, Carlinya, and Morvrin privately admit deep fear of Rand and allude to closely held secrets known to fewer than two dozen sisters, confirming the paralysis Elayne and Nynaeve decried.
Who Appears
- Egwene al’VereSuffers a post-dream headache after being pulled into Gawyn’s dream; questions Wise Ones about dreamwalking dangers.
- Nynaeve al’MearaArgues to retrieve the Ebou Dar bowl; delivers a furious tirade at Aes Sedai fear; punished with kitchen duty.
- Elayne TrakandAdvocates the Ebou Dar mission; lies that the bowl may need a man channeling; ends up punished with Nynaeve.
- AmysWise One; cautions Egwene about dream safety; disdains Salidar Aes Sedai’s ignorance.
- BairWise One; explains strong emotion can trap dreamwalkers; recalls rare cases from her mentor.
- MelaineWise One; disciplines Cowinde with a futile task; embarrassed by teasing about Bael’s dreams.
- CowindeGai’shain who refuses to put off white; sent to search a sand pile as corrective discipline.
- Siuan SancheHints at Elaida’s conciliatory message; bristles at delays; observes events sharply from the crowd.
- Tarna FeirRed Ajah envoy; departs Salidar under Warder escort after delivering Elaida’s message.
- RomandaElder Sitter; makes a cautious, content-free public statement; resents Sheriam’s influence.
- Sheriam BayanarLeads the private meeting; refuses the Ebou Dar request; later admits fear and guards deep secrets.
- MorvrinSkeptical Brown; rejects sending Accepted; privately concedes fear of Rand.
- CarlinyaCold White; rejects the mission; earlier accused Wise Ones of holding Egwene; sneers at revealing secrets.
- Leane SharifSpotted working her eyes-and-ears in the crowd, then melts away before Tarna’s departure.
- BirgitteObserved in the crowd, exhausted after aiding night’s aftermath; keeps distance from Elayne.
- Faolain OrandeSupervises Elayne and Nynaeve’s punishment, needling them while enforcing kitchen duty.