9 A Signal

Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom, and Juilin camp near Mardecin. Thom rides into town for supplies while Nynaeve reflects on changing priorities, her Healing ambitions, and fears of Moghedien. On Thom’s return, he reports a withering town under a sizable Whitecloak presence and odd Whitecloak redeployments, while provisions are scarce.

Nynaeve and Elayne head into Mardecin for vegetables. On the road, Nynaeve confronts Elayne about openly flirting with Thom despite professing love for Rand. Elayne admits distance and doubt, and hints Min may have viewed that Rand must be shared. The talk ends tense but civil as they resume their errand.

In town, they find scarcity, empty shops, and many Children of the Light. Nynaeve spots a coded Yellow Ajah emergency signal at a seamstress’s shop and decides to investigate. Inside, seamstress Ronde Macura recognizes their countersign and ushers them to the kitchen for tea, promising urgent news meant for any passing sister.

Macura delivers the message: all sisters are welcome to return to the Tower; the Tower must be whole and strong. As Nynaeve presses for more, the women succumb to drugged tea; Elayne collapses and Nynaeve follows, realizing too late they have been trapped. Macura, calm now, orders her assistant Luci to catch Nynaeve as darkness takes her.