The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
5 Among the Wise Ones
Overview
In the sweat tent, Egwene observes Wise Ones Amys, Bair, and Melaine reject Moiraine’s plea to moderate Rand’s plans to lead the Aiel west and take the fifth. They order Aviendha to sleep in Rand’s chamber, straining her honor and jealousy. Egwene is tasked to find dreams and punished alongside Aviendha for lapses. Melaine asks help to become Bael’s sister-wife, signaling shifting Aiel customs under Rand’s influence.
Summary
Egwene, freezing in her tent, prepares for the Wise Ones’ sweat and reflects on the lure of saidar and her struggle with discipline. A gai’shain, Cowinde, summons her to the sweat tent. Inside, Egwene joins Amys, Bair, Melaine, Moiraine, and Aviendha, noticing Aviendha has been recently switched for admitting two lies and insisting on meeting her own toh.
Moiraine argues that Rand’s intention to lead the Aiel across the Dragonwall and claim the fifth will unite the Westlands against them, endangering his broader plans. The Wise Ones refuse; they will do what is best for the Aiel and believe Rand has their nation’s support. The talk widens to the bleakness, Tuatha’an taking in broken Aiel, and the Maidens’ unique closeness to Rand, underscoring how profoundly he has changed Aiel ways.
After Moiraine leaves, Aviendha forgets to brew tea—an uncharacteristic lapse—revealing inner turmoil. The Wise Ones propose Aviendha sleep in Rand’s chamber (not his bed) to serve a purpose they do not explain, testing her honor and composure. Aviendha resists, angered by jealousy over Isendre and bound by ji’e’toh, but the Wise Ones press that surrendering to the Pattern brings control. They ask Egwene whether Rand would accept such an arrangement; Egwene is uncertain but thinks he likes Aviendha.
Turning to dreamwalking, Amys assigns Egwene to locate her dreams that night, insisting Egwene can reach distant friends and should learn how others see her. The Wise Ones dismiss them, but before departing, Melaine shyly asks Amys and Bair to approach Dorindha so Melaine can become Bael’s sister-wife, revealing personal consequences of changing times.
Outside, Bair withholds Egwene’s clothes and orders both Egwene and Aviendha to run fifty times around the camp for stubbornness and lapses. As they run naked through the cold, Aviendha explains her fierce dedication to learning the Power and vents about Isendre, yet concedes she does not truly believe Rand has been with the woman. Egwene defends differing customs and urges reason, while Aviendha insists Rand belongs to Elayne. They complete the punishment laps, each accepting the Wise Ones’ discipline.
Who Appears
- Egwene al'VerePOV; trains with Wise Ones, manages steam, is tasked to find dreams, and runs laps as punishment.
- AviendhaFormer Maiden learning to channel; self-reports lies and accepts switching; resists sleeping near Rand; runs punishment laps.
- BairWise One; enforces strict discipline, orders laps, discusses Aiel changes, and supports Aviendha’s assigned task.
- AmysWise One who can channel; rejects Moiraine’s plea, assigns Egwene dreamfinding, and backs plan for Aviendha and Rand.
- MelaineWise One who can channel; opposes Moiraine, seeks to become Bael’s sister-wife via Dorindha.
- Moiraine DamodredAes Sedai; warns Wise Ones that Rand’s foray west and taking the fifth will be disastrous; rebuffed.
- CowindeGai’shain messenger; escorts Egwene to the sweat tent, exemplifying extreme submission.
- Rand al'ThorDiscussed center of plans; his intent to lead Aiel west and Aiel customs around him drive Wise Ones’ decisions.
- IsendreMerchant’s woman discussed; object of Aviendha’s jealousy and Maidens’ punishments, fueling Aviendha’s outburst.
- Melaine’s Bael and DorindhaClan chief and wife; subjects of Melaine’s sister-wife request, reflecting Aiel marital customs amid change.