The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
48 Leavetakings
Overview
Nynaeve and Elayne sever ties with Luca’s show and push for the river amid Samara’s riots. A murderous mob attacks, but Shienarans, Thom, Juilin, Birgitte, and Galad cut a path to the docks. Nynaeve compels the captain to take refugees, while Galad pays passage to Boannda and warns them away from Rand.
Summary
Nynaeve repacks their valuables, taking the stone ring, letters, and coin, and hiding the cuendillar seal despite a disturbing sense of evil from it. She and Elayne, strained and silent after earlier quarrels, each prepare two bundles; Elayne keeps the other Tel’aran’rhiod ter’angreal and the a’dam. Birgitte appears in new clothes gifted by Clarine, and the menagerie offers farewells—Aludra adds firesticks, Petra offers escort, and Luca theatrically professes love, further souring Nynaeve’s mood.
The party sets out with Galad, Thom, Juilin, Birgitte, and Shienarans led by Uno. Inside Samara, devastation and scattered killings reveal the riot’s breadth. A mob charges; Nynaeve and Elayne hold back from channeling to avoid alerting Moghedien. Birgitte’s arrows, the Shienarans’ steel, Juilin’s staff, and Thom’s knives hold the line, while Galad’s lethal grace shatters the attackers and routs them.
Shaken, Nynaeve thanks the fighters as they press on, slipping past Whitecloaks at the river. At the docks, refugees hope for escape under Whitecloak guard. On board, Captain Agni Neres balks, but Nynaeve forces him to take all refugees before sailing. She then learns Galad has already paid their passage as far as Boannda, emptying his purse.
As Galad departs to rejoin the Whitecloaks, he issues a bleak warning to avoid Rand. Nynaeve and Elayne, still uneasy with each other, reflect on Galad’s uncompromising sense of right as the ship prepares to depart toward Altara.
Who Appears
- Nynaeve al'MearaPacks ter’angreal and the cuendillar seal, restrains channeling, compels the captain to take refugees, and accepts Galad’s paid passage.
- Elayne TrakandFrosty with Nynaeve, keeps other Tel’aran’rhiod items and the a’dam, prepares to channel but holds back during the riot.
- Galad DamodredLeads Whitecloaks; carves through the mob; pays passage to Boannda; warns them to avoid Rand before returning to fight.
- BirgitteDeadly accurate with a bow, helps break the mob, recovers arrows, and travels with new clothes from Clarine.
- Thom MerrilinFights through the mob with knives, protects Elayne, and keeps moving despite wounds.
- Juilin SandarBattles in the front line with his staff, helping stop the mob despite injuries.
- Uno NomestaLeads Shienarans through Samara; holds the line against the mob though wounded.
- Agni NeresGrudging riverboat captain; tries to limit passengers until Nynaeve forces him to take refugees.
- Valan LucaShowman; bids Nynaeve an embarrassing, flamboyant farewell with wilted flowers.
- AludraGives Nynaeve more firesticks and wishes them safe travels.
- ClarineMenagerie performer; provides Birgitte with extra garments and farewells.
- PetraStrongman; offers an escort to the river out of concern.