Chapter 51

While shopping in Tear’s Maule, Nynaeve notes unsettling omens and fumes over high prices and local apathy. Juilin Sandar finds her, nervously reporting the Black Ajah are inside the Stone as guests of High Lord Samon. Nynaeve brings him to Ailhuin Guenna’s house, intending to regroup.

Inside, Nynaeve discovers an ambush: Ailhuin is bound by the One Power, and Liandrin and Rianna are waiting. Nynaeve is immediately shielded; she lashes out physically, stunning both women briefly, but is beaten down by weaves of Air. Liandrin asserts control and forbids Rianna from killing Ailhuin, threatening her into silence.

In the front room, Nynaeve sees Elayne bruised and Egwene unconscious and badly beaten. Amico and Joiya, also channeled, oversee soldiers who haul Egwene’s limp body. Joiya enforces obedience with painful weaves. Outside, a lacquered coach bearing Samon’s sigil awaits, and Nynaeve learns Juilin was magically coerced into betraying them.

Liandrin and Rianna bind the three women with Air and load them into the coach, declaring they are “bait.” Nynaeve and Elayne bluff that allies await inside the Stone, but Liandrin counters that Be’lal has plans for them and is summoning thirteen Myrddraal. The revelation of Be’lal’s direct involvement and the threat of the Thirteen terrifies Nynaeve and Elayne, who can only scream as the coach carries them toward the Stone of Tear.