The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
37 Performances in Samara
Overview
Birgitte confronts Nynaeve over misplaced guilt and asserts her own agency, forcing a reset in their dynamic. At Luca’s show in Samara, Juilin’s staged drunken highwalk and Elayne’s daring tightrope performance draw crowds. Thom watches proudly, Luca manages protection, and Nynaeve recognizes and follows the foul-mouthed, one-eyed Shienaran, Uno.
Summary
In Luca’s wagon before the Samara performances, Birgitte confronts Nynaeve, furious that Nynaeve’s guilt over Moghedien has turned into servility. Birgitte insists her choices were her own in Tel’aran’rhiod, rejects any blame placed on Nynaeve, and vows not to be diminished or treated as an appendage.
Birgitte presses harder, threatening switches if needed to shake Nynaeve out of self-abasement, and declares she will not leave Elayne due to their bond. She focuses on making arrows for her act, pointedly dismissing Nynaeve and ordering a curtsy as Nynaeve departs seething.
Outside, the circus grounds teem with spectators and acts: s’redit, bears, exotic animals, and strongmen. Juilin stages a convincing drunken tightrope routine, feigning falls before revealing the ruse to cheers. Elayne, in white, then performs a confident, unchannelled highwalk—pivots, handstand, flips, and rapid cartwheels—while Nynaeve, Luca, and an alert Thom watch anxiously.
As the crowd surges, Luca and handlers protect Elayne, and Thom reaches her first. Nearby, a scarred, one-eyed man with a topknot curses admiringly about her queenly bearing. Nynaeve recognizes him as Uno, the foul-mouthed Shienaran, and pushes through the crowd to follow him.
Who Appears
- Nynaeve al'MearaWracked by guilt over Birgitte, is sharply rebuked; later watches Elayne perform and pursues Uno.
- Birgitte (Maerion)Confronts Nynaeve, asserting autonomy and rejecting blame; prepares arrows for her act.
- Elayne TrakandPerforms a daring unchannelled tightrope routine in white, thrilling the crowd with flips and cartwheels.
- Valan LucaShowmaster; stages acts, basks in applause, and organizes protection around Elayne amid the crowd.
- Juilin SandarExecutes a convincing ‘drunken’ highrope act, drawing laughter and applause.
- Thom MerrilinProudly watches Elayne’s performance, ready to aid her; earlier juggles and eats fire.
- Uno NomestaOne-eyed Shienaran with a topknot; curses admiringly about Elayne’s bravery; spotted and followed by Nynaeve.
- ClarinePerformer and costumer; involved with dresses and dogs’ act amid the show bustle.
- PetraPerformer linked to Clarine, present with the show during the Samara performances.
- LatelleBear trainer; mentioned as potential supplier of a switch in Birgitte’s threat.
- CerandinSeanchan s’redit handler; her earlier clash with Nynaeve is cited by Birgitte.