33 A Question of Crimson

At dusk near the River Eldar, Nynaeve, blindfolded, stands as Thom throws knives around her in a rehearsal for Valan Luca’s menagerie. She refuses Luca’s push to wear a revealing crimson dress, begrudgingly agreeing only to perform under proper light. Anxiety about Rand’s harsh justice in Cairhien and Lan’s safety simmers beneath her irritation.

Surveying the area, Nynaeve notes heavy Whitecloak camps on their bank and the Prophet’s vast, volatile following around Samara across the bridge, limiting escape options. In camp, she dodges flirtations, accepts Aludra’s improved “firesticks” warily, and learns from Juilin that Galad is in Samara with Whitecloaks, increasing the risk if they cross.

In the wagon, Nynaeve admits to Elayne that she provoked Cerandin about damane and sul’dam. Cerandin threw and beat Nynaeve handily, until Petra ended it and forced mutual apologies, deeply bruising Nynaeve’s pride. Latelle’s hostility lingers in the background.

Elayne reveals she has studied the a’dam and believes it is a specialized link ter’angreal allowing a sul’dam to control a damane; she thinks she could craft one—though not to use it—opening the possibility of making ter’angreal, even angreal, again. Nynaeve warns against experimenting on the seal they carry and remains skeptical.

Weighing options—stay with Whitecloaks nearby, cross into the Prophet’s chaos and risk Galad, or flee by river—they decide to hire the first boat large enough to take them, noting Galad avoids menageries. Nynaeve stubbornly vows to recall the Blue Ajah safe town’s name as Luca still presses for the performance.