[{Table style='width:100%'

| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=ACoS,Ch-1'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/wheel_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Wheel Chapter Icon Usage'}] ''[ACoS|A Crown of Swords]: Lightnings'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=ACoS,Ch1' align='right'}]
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! Header

"There can be no health in us, nor any good thing grow, for the land is one with the [Dragon Reborn|Rand alThor], and he one with the land. Soul of fire, heart of stone, in pride he conquers, forcing the proud to yield. He calls upon the mountains to kneel, and the seas to give way, and the very skies to bow. Pray that the heart of stone remembers tears, and the soul of fire, love.
%%right
—From a much-disputed translation of\\
''The [Prophecies of the Dragon|Karaethon Prophecies]'' by the poet\\
[Kyera Termendal], of [Shiota], believed to have\\
been published between FY 700 and FY 800."
%%

%tabs
! __Elaida__ POV

in her chambers at the top of the [White Tower]. It is past the [Feast of Lights|Calendar] (first of the year). It has been twelve days since she heard of [Rand|Rand alThor]'s capture from [Galina Casban]. She is building a new palace for herself; the chief mason is Master [Lerman]. She wanted [Ogier] help, but they are refusing to work. The nearest [stedding|Ogier] is [Stedding Jentoine] in the [Black Hills]. Her clock was commissioned by [Cemaile Sorenthaine], raised from the [Gray Ajah] three hundred years ago. 

[Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] enters to report. [Teslyn|Teslyn Baradon] was a [Red Ajah] [Sitter|Sitters] for fifteen years before [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] kicked her out. [Joline|Joline Maza] was a [Green Ajah] [Sitter|Sitters] only a few weeks.  Both were sent to [Ebou Dar] but have not reported. A [Gray Ajah] agent reported [Elayne|Elayne Trakand], [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara], [Aviendha], and [Birgitte|Birgitte Trahelion] in [Ebou Dar].[1] [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] has heard rumors about [Morgase|Morgase Trakand] and [Whitecloaks|Children of the Light] but believes that [Morgase|Morgase Trakand] is dead so [Elayne|Elayne Trakand] will be crowned. [Tarna Feir] has reported on [Salidar] [Aes Sedai], that [Elayne|Elayne Trakand], [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara], [Siuan|Siuan Sanche] and [Logain|Logain Ablar] are there. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] tells [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] to send orders to [Teslyn|Teslyn Baradon] and [Joline|Joline Maza] to capture the girls using [forkroot|Herbs], information from [Ronde Macura]. She wants to cow obstinate rulers such as [Tenobia|Tenobia si Bashere Kazadi] and [Mattin Stepaneos|Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar]. [Toveine Gazal] is to lead fifty [Aes Sedai] and two hundred guards to take the [Black Tower].[2]  She and two other [Red Ajah] [Sitters], [Lirene] and [Tsutama|Tsutama Rath], were forced into exile fifteen years ago.[3] 

A [Green Ajah] agent in [Caemlyn] reports that there are four hundred men in the [Black Tower] by counting supply carts.  [Red Ajah] sisters found six men in the last ten years, twenty-four in the last twenty, but only sixteen are recorded. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] was involved in the unrecorded ones. [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] cautions that twenty-four is as dangerous a number to speak of as two thousand.[4] Finally [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] reports that the [Salidar Aes Sedai] are on the move and [Egwene|Egwene alVere] is their [Amyrlin|Aes Sedai]. [Gareth Bryne] is leading an army of twenty thousand.[5] [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] says High Captain [Chubain|Jimar Chubain] should increase the [Tower Guard|White Tower]. [Tarna|Tarna Feir] was a [wilder], but is level headed. [Tarna|Tarna Feir] reported [Bryne|Gareth Bryne]'s army as only two to three thousand.[5] [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] wants [Sheriam|Sheriam Bayanar] and others such as [Lelaine|Lelaine Akashi], [Carlinya], and [Romanda Cassin] [stilled|stilling]. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] still does not believe the [Forsaken] are loose. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] has her own secret plans working in the [Salidar Aes Sedai] assuring they will fall apart.[6] [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] has a [Foretelling|Weaves]:

%%quote
"The [White Tower] will be whole again, except for remnants cast out and scorned, whole and stronger than ever. [Rand al'Thor|Rand alThor] will face the [Amyrlin|Aes Sedai] and know her anger. The [Black Tower] will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds. This I [Foretell|Weaves]."
%%

[Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] is shocked. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] sends a letter to Lady [Caraline Damodred]. [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] is the youngest daughter of a minor House in north [Murandy], but she expects to be recorded as the most powerful woman in the history of the world, the savior of humankind.
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More [Elaida POV]

! __Sevanna__ POV

She is looking south, preparing for an attack on [Dumai's Wells|Dumais Wells]. She is with [Efalin], a [Maiden|Maidens of the Spear], and twelve men who are the leaders of [Shaido] societies. They include [Maeric] of the %%ot [Seia Doon|Black Eyes]%% and [Bendhuin|bendhuin] of the %%ot [Far Aldazar Din|Brothers of the Eagle]%%. Two hundred [Wise Ones|Aiel] are nearby, as are forty thousand %%ot [algai'd'siswai|algaiDSiswai]%%. A young [Sovin Nai|Knife Hands] arrives with news that a forward scout escaped. She orders an immediate full attack, and also orders [Wise Ones|Aiel] to attack, citing [Desaine]'s death. [Therava], [Norlea], [Dailin|Dailin (Maiden)], [Rhiale], [Tion], [Meira], [Alarys], [Someryn], [Belinde], and [Modarra] are among the thirteen who know the truth about [Desaine]'s death and will support her. The army runs five miles south and attacks the [Aes Sedai] guard. Other [Wise Ones|Aiel] with her include [Estalaine] and [Dorailla]. A lightning strike stuns many of them and kills [Estalaine]. A wolf kills [Dosera]. More wolves arrive to participate in the battle. She learns that [Rand|Rand alThor]'s [Aiel] have arrived from the south, and assumes they were brought by [Sorilea]. [Sevanna] is a [Jumai] [Shaido]. She hears a boom then sees flickers of light,[7] but does not understand what is going on. [Tion] and [Rhiale] tell her that it is men [channeling|True Source]. She thinks it is [Rand|Rand alThor] by himself. She married [Suladric] at sixteen. She then took [Muradin] and [Couladin]. The [Shaido] are slaughtered. They are overwhelmed and all run away, but she still has the [call box].
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More [Sevanna POV]

! __Alviarin__ POV

Just after leaving [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan]'s quarters, she heads back to her own quarters. On the way she passes [Danelle], a dreamy [Brown|Brown Ajah], [Berisha], a [Gray|Gray Ajah], [Kera], a [Green|Green Ajah], and [Norine Dovarna], a [White|White Ajah] who wanted to be [Keeper|Aes Sedai]. [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] has killed before. She is afraid that [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan]'s [Foretelling|Weaves] might reveal her. She arrives at her apartment that overlooks the front of the [White Tower] from a hundred feet up. She keeps a lot of [Leane Sharif]'s stuff as a reminder of the price of failure. She does not believe [stilled|stilling] women ever survive long. 

[Mesaana] appears, disguised and hiding her ability to [channel|True Source]; she appears tall and has a voice of silver chimes. It is clear to [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] that [Mesaana] must be masquerading as someone else in the [White Tower].[8] She somehow listened in on their conversation. Other [Forsaken] had come to [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen]. [Ishamael] years ago made her head the [Black Ajah]. Later, [Lanfear], [Graendal] visited the [White Tower]. [Be'lal|BeLal] yanked her out of sleep to some strange place.[9] Some of [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan]'s orders were to kidnap the king of [Illian|Illian (Country)][10] and queen of [Saldaea][11], offer kingship of [Tear|Tear (Country)] to High Lord [Darlin|Darlin Sisnera][12]. Laughing at [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan]'s political games [Mesaana] says, "You children almost match the %%ot ajah%% at times."[13] 

[Mesaana] wants [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] to increase the [Tar Valon] army. [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] became head of the [Black Ajah] after [Ishamael] killed her predecessor, [Jarna Malari] of the [Gray Ajah], after learning what she started.[14] It did not end until two years later after the death of [Sierin Vayu]. [Jarna|Jarna Malari] had the [Amyrlin|Aes Sedai] [Tamra Ospenya] questioned and killed. [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] does not know how [Sierin|Sierin Vayu] died and wonders if [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan] had a hand in it because the [Black Ajah] did not.[15] A Great Council of Thirteen heads the [Black Ajah]. [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] worries about sending sisters to the [Black Tower]. [Mesaana] does not seem to care, but [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] will send no [Black Ajah] to go with [Toveine|Toveine Gazal] for the attack. [Mesaana] warns [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] to serve only her, not [Semirhage], [Demandred] or [Graendal].[16] [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] thinks she can hardly credit what she just learned.[17] [Mesaana] teaches [Alviarin|Alviarin Freidhen] how to [Travel|Weaves].
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More [Alviarin POV]

! __Pedron Niall__ POV

[Niall|Pedron Niall] plays stones with [Morgase|Morgase Trakand] in the [Fortress of the Light]. He has been a widower for many years. He wants to see her as Queen of [Andor] again even though [Rhadam Asunawa] wants to try and hang her. She asks him to bring [Galad|Galad Damodred] to [Amador] but he refuses. [Abdel Omerna] barges in with dire news and [Niall|Pedron Niall] sends [Morgase|Morgase Trakand] away. [Omerna|Abdel Omerna] is an unwitting decoy for the real master of spies, [Sebban Balwer]. [Omerna|Abdel Omerna] reports mostly useless and incorrect information,[18] but [Balwer|Sebban Balwer] has found [Elayne|Elayne Trakand] in [Ebou Dar] and [Gawyn|Gawyn Trakand] in the [White Tower]. [Niall|Pedron Niall] has already sent orders to [Carridin|Jaichim Carridin]. [Omerna|Abdel Omerna] brought a message from [Tarabon], from [Faisar|Asidim Faisar], not [Varadin]. The message confirms the [Seanchan|Seanchan (People)] invasion. That is why [Niall|Pedron Niall] has not already left for [Andor]. [Omerna|Abdel Omerna] assassinates [Niall|Pedron Niall], crying that he should have moved against [Salidar]. Immediately, [Eamon Valda] enters and kills [Omerna|Abdel Omerna] for treason. The message gets covered with wine and is lost.
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More [Pedron Niall POV]

! __Eamon Valda__ POV

After [Valda|Eamon Valda] kills [Omerna|Abdel Omerna], [Rhadam Asunawa] enters. He wants [Morgase|Morgase Trakand] now. [Valda|Eamon Valda] says not till they have [Andor], and that must wait until they crush the [Prophet|Masema Dagar]. After the assassination, [Asunawa|Rhadam Asunawa] planned to use Lord Captain [Canvele] against [Valda|Eamon Valda], but [Valda|Eamon Valda] already has him on his side. [Valda|Eamon Valda] wants someone as pliant as [Ailron] on the [Lion Throne|Royal Palace]. [Balwer|Sebban Balwer] enters and is shocked to see [Niall|Pedron Niall] dead. [Valda|Eamon Valda] plans to kick out [Balwer|Sebban Balwer].
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More [Eamon Valda POV]

! __Gawyn__ POV

North of [Dumai's Wells|Dumais Wells] after the battle is over. He wishes he could have killed [Rand|Rand alThor] for his mother and sister, but he cannot because he promised [Egwene|Egwene alVere]. He still does not know where she is. He sees an [Aes Sedai][19] fall, but does not see her captured. He brought 581 [Younglings] with him but less than two hundred survive. He is sure there was a plot to kill the [Younglings], but not who is responsible. He speaks briefly to [Jisao|Jisao Hamora], still a teenager. They have a brief battle with a group of [Aiel] heading east.  The [Aiel] did not intend to attack; the [Younglings] were just in the way. Another [Youngling] is [Hal Moir]. [Gawyn|Gawyn Trakand] mounts his horse[20] intending to help the fallen [Aes Sedai], but cannot find her. They start to make camp, planning to head back to [Tar Valon].
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More [Gawyn POV]
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%collapsebox-closed
! Notes (Possible Spoilers)

[#1] Is the [Gray Ajah] agent acting independently, or does this implicate [Merilille|Merilille Ceandevin] as a mole?
\\[#2] Others sent with [Toveine|Toveine Gazal] include [Jenare], [Lemai] ([TPoD,Ch26]), [Akoure Vayet], [Ayako Norsoni], [Carniele], [Desandre], [Gabrelle] ([WH,Prologue]) [Adrielle|adrielle] and [Aisling Noon]. ([KoD,Ch20])
\\[#3] The exile is most likely associated with the [gentling|stilling] of men without trial. The timing seems to fit with the [gentling|stilling] of [Owyn] and also with the death of [Sierin Vayu]. Robert Jordan has confirmed that [Marith Jaen] exiled them.
\\[#4] What is dangerous about two thousand? This is never explained.
\\[#5] [Vanin|Chel Vanin] places the size of [Bryne|Gareth Bryne]'s army at twelve to fourteen thousand in [LoC,Ch38], something over a month ago. [Tarna|Tarna Feir]'s estimate from roughly twenty days earlier seems too low since, at that point, [Bryne|Gareth Bryne] had been building his army for over two months. Is this an error or intentional deception? In [CoT,Ch22] [Tarna|Tarna Feir] tells [Pevara|Pevara Tazanovni] that she was terrified by what she found in [Salidar]. That seems very much at odds with her report to [Elaida|Elaida do Avriny aRoihan].
\\[#6] [Beonin|Beonin Marinye] is actually a mole with orders to cause dissention and prevent progress. ([KoD,Ch2])
\\[#7] [Rand|Rand alThor] blowing up the box and the arrival of the [Asha'man].
\\[#8] We finally learn [Mesaana]'s identity in [ToM,Ch42].
\\[#9] This must have been %%ot [Tel'aran'rhiod|TelAranRhiod]%%.
\\[#10] We learn more about the plot to kidnap [Mattin Stepaneos|Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar] in [ACoS,Ch41] and [KoD,Ch2].
\\[#11] We learn more about what happens to Queen [Tenobia|Tenobia si Bashere Kazadi] in [TPoD,Prologue].
\\[#12] This plot takes an ironic twist. ([KoD,Ch21])
\\[#13] What the %%ot ajah%% was in the [Age of Legends] is never clarified.
\\[#14] Setting the [Black Ajah] to hunt and kill the [Dragon Reborn|Rand alThor]. It is not clear if this also included the [Red Ajah] illicitly gentling men.
\\[#15] [Chesmal|Chesmal Emry] tricked the [Red Ajah] into killing her, ([WH,Ch10]) probably because [Sierin Vayu] was suspicious of her involvement in the death of [Meilyn|Meilyn Arganya]. ([NS,Ch18])
\\[#16] Interesting and curious that [Mesaana] names the three with whom she has something of a working relationship.
\\[#17] That the [Forsaken] have different agendas? That hardly seems to be surprising news.
\\[#18] Everything in his report is wrong with one exception. In [TPoD,Prologue] we find out that [Tenobia|Tenobia si Bashere Kazadi] really has left [Saldaea].
\\[#19] This is [Galina|Galina Casban]. She will be captured by [Sevanna]'s group. ([ACoS,Ch40])
\\[#20] His horse is [Challenge]. ([TGS,Ch4])
%%
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