13 A Small Room in Sienda

In a jolting coach through Amadicia, Elayne endures Nynaeve’s barbed resentment over servant roles adopted for cover. Elayne presses caution about returning to Tar Valon until they understand the Tower’s situation, agreeing they must act as if the Black Ajah might hold influence there.

The coach halts at Valan Luca’s menagerie, where caged lions, bears, and Seanchan-like "boar-horses" (elephants) unsettle their team. Luca flamboyantly pitches a private show, pleading poverty after fines in Sienda. Elayne offers discreet charity, but Nynaeve rudely underpays, and they continue on.

They arrive in Sienda near sunset, finding tensions between numerous Children of the Light—including Questioners—and the king’s soldiers. Choosing The Light of Truth inn despite its Whitecloak clientele, Elayne maintains her Cairhienin lady persona while Nynaeve plays maid. The innkeeper, Mistress Jharen, boasts of noble patronage and mentions a Hunter of the Horn passing by.

In a cramped room, Thom Merrilin and Juilin Sandar lug up chests—concealing coin and recovered ter’angreal—then head out to gather information, warned to avoid trouble. Elayne and Nynaeve lock down for the night, with Elayne apologetically maintaining appearances and Nynaeve prickly about modesty and roles.

Nynaeve threads the stone ring ter’angreal onto a thong at her neck and settles to sleep, planning to meet Egwene in Tel’aran’rhiod and report. Elayne, anxious about the Tower and determined to send her love to Rand through Egwene, blocks the door with a chest and waits uneasily while Nynaeve drifts into the World of Dreams.