Contents
Chapter 22
Overview
Sheriam rushes Egwene into the three arches to be Raised to Accepted. Egwene endures three harrowing visions: a life with Rand and their child, a ruined Caemlyn where Rand begs for death, and a future as Amyrlin betrayed by Elaida and the Black Ajah.
She learns of the dread Turning by thirteen Myrddraal and thirteen channelers, battles to escape it in the vision, and chooses duty by returning through the arch, paying the emotional price of what she leaves behind.
Summary
Sheriam intercepts Egwene after Verin’s visit and hurriedly brings her to the Accepted test. In the chamber, Elaida glowers while three sisters maintain the ter’angreal. Warned of the dangers—including women who never return—Egwene accepts and enters the first arch.
In the first vision, Egwene lives in the Two Rivers, married to Rand with their baby, Joiya. As Rand’s worsening headaches hint at dangerous channeling, the arch appears. Despite Rand’s agony and Tam rushing to help, Egwene, torn by love and duty, chooses the arch and emerges weeping.
Entering the second arch, Egwene finds ruined Caemlyn and discovers Rand trapped under debris. He begs her to kill him to prevent the Shadow from Turning him with thirteen Myrddraal and thirteen Dreadlords. Unable to do it, she steps through the arch. Outside, Sheriam reluctantly confirms the ancient threat of Turning.
In the third vision, Egwene is Amyrlin with Beldeine as Keeper. Elaida dominates the Hall and presents a chained Rand for gentling. Beldeine betrays Egwene, who awakens bound for Turning by thirteen Black Ajah sisters and thirteen Myrddraal. She seizes saidar, immolates Halfmen, batters her captors, and flees. Beldeine, stilled and coerced by Elaida, reveals Rand is in the Traitor’s Court for gentling.
Egwene races to a tower to attempt a rescue but the wavering arch reappears, while distant sisters strain to hold the ter’angreal. Confronted with the command to be steadfast and the cost of her choices, Egwene hurls herself into the arch, choosing the test’s end over risking all in the vision.
Who Appears
- Egwene al'VereProtagonist; rushed into the Accepted test, faces three trials, learns of Turning, resists capture, and chooses to return.
- Sheriam BayanarMistress of Novices; conducts the ceremony, warns of dangers, confirms lore about Turning.
- Elaida do Avriny a'RoihanRed Ajah; hostile observer. In visions, leads Hall, betrays Egwene, orchestrates Rand’s gentling and Black Ajah plot.
- Rand al'ThorIn visions: Egwene’s husband and father of Joiya; later trapped in Caemlyn begging death; finally chained for gentling.
- BeldeineKeeper in vision; coerced by Black Ajah after being stilled; strikes Egwene, later confesses and reveals Rand’s location.
- Alanna MosvaniGreen sister maintaining the arches; senses a brief resonance before Egwene’s test.
- GyldanRed/Black sister in vision; confronts Egwene during escape and is knocked unconscious.
- Tam al'ThorIn first vision; rushes to aid Rand as Egwene departs through the arch.
- JoiyaEgwene and Rand’s infant daughter in the first vision, symbolizing the life Egwene sacrifices.
- MyrddraalThirteen in the third vision; part of the ritual to Turn channelers; many are burned by Egwene.