Beonin POV#

Morvrin wakes Beonin in the middle of the night with news of Egwene but it does not change her plans. Beonin wakes early the next morning and Ehvin brings her breakfast. Food is spoiling and she thinks it must be the Dark One touching the world. She thinks Rand has much to answer for but the Dragon Reborn must win.[1] Tervail waits outside. She sends him for her horse Winterfinch. His horse is Hammer (Tervail). She packs a few items, mementos from her mother Aeldrine and grandmother Collaris. She seized the moment when Elaida deposed Siuan and she has adjusted since then. The Aes Sedai are all on edge because of the murders of Anaiya and Kairen. She sees Varilin, Takima, Saroiya, Faiselle and Magla with their Warder and secretaries riding east to Darein for the day's negotiations. Ashmanaille and Phaedrine approach. They are happy that Egwene and Leane are alive and well. They are ill at ease about stilling even though Nynaeve Healed Siuan and Leane. They are investigating the murders of Anaiya and Kairen who were killed with saidin. They both had contact with Moiraine Damodred and Rand al'Thor. Beonin suggests there might be a connection with Asha'man. Romanda and the others agreed to a pact with the Asha'man but they continue to fight over the details. Tervail arrives with the horses and he and Beonin ride to the Traveling ground. She weaves a gateway with Spirit to a grove near the White Tower. In the grove she sees the ghost of Turanine Merdagon who died forty years ago when Beonin Marinye was Accepted. She weaves Illusion to disguise herself, sends Tervail to find an inn then enters the White Tower.

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Elaida POV#

Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan is in her study with King Mattin Stepaneos den Balgar and Cariandre, a Red Ajah sister. She had him kidnapped and the boat only arrived yesterday. He is furious over his treatment. She is still furious over the mess Alviarin created. She tells the King that Rand took Illian and would have killed him so she saved his life.[2] Her goal is to restore him to the throne to demonstrate the power of the White Tower. Cariandre escorts the King back to his rooms and Tarna enters. She reports that Southharbor is only slightly functional. After the rebels are defeated Elaida intends to add their army to the Tower Guard. Gareth Bryne is a much better captain than High Captain Jimar Chubain. The streets of Tar Valon are filthy because workers are afraid of the ghosts. Elaida has studied writings on the Last Battle and the ghosts mean it is coming soon. She thinks she will soon have Elayne back in hand.[3] There is news of Tarabon rebelling against the Seanchan.[4] The Tar Valon sewers are clogged. There are rats in the White Tower; the Wards are failing.

Anemara, the Accepted on duty, enters. Felaana and Negaine have brought a woman petitioner they found in the White Tower. Anemara leaves and a woman enters. Her face changes to that of Beonin Marinye. Tarna shields her. Beonin explains the work she did as Elaida's mole to undermine the Salidar Aes Sedai. Egwene discovered lots of new weaves, more than Elayne and Nynaeve.[5] Lelaine and Romanda are still struggling for power. Beonin thinks others will follow her back to the White Tower. She tells Elaida about Egwene, Tel'aran'rhiod and the dream ter'angreal so the Salidar Aes Sedai know much of what happens in the White Tower. Elaida is stunned. Tarna worries that Egwene's warning about the Seanchan may be real. Elaida thinks Silviana will break Egwene. Beonin cannot make cuendillar but she is good at the new Healing. She demonstrates gateways for Traveling and Skimming.[6] Elaida orders her to swear not to teach the weaves without her permission.[7] Beonin tells her about the ten moles including Meidani. Elaida sends Tarna to have them watched and to invite Meidani to dinner. Beonin can teach Tarna all the new weaves. After Tarna leaves, Elaida orders Beonin to show her everything.

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