Egwene POV#

Nynaeve just Healed Dailin. Jolien, Chiad, Bain and Aviendha are amazed. Aviendha heard that Wise Ones of the Jagged Spire and Four Holes septs could Heal but she did not believe it. Aviendha is most grateful because Dailin is her second sister (mother's sister's daughter). Nynaeve remarks how difficult it was without herbs.[1] Egwene asks how they got here if they are afraid of water. The Alguenya River lies between their current location and the Spine of the World. They reply that they built a raft. They came searching for He Who Comes With the Dawn. Aiel prophecy says he was born of Far Dareis Mai. "Blood of our blood mixed with the old blood, raised by an ancient blood not ours." The Wise Ones told them he is to be found beyond the Spine of the World. Nynaeve tells them they are heading to Tear to hunt Darkfriends. They all bid goodbye and Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve continue their walk to Jurene. Elayne tells them the Aiel bear no grudges from the Aiel War. For them it was simply and execution of King Laman of Cairhien for cutting down Avendoraldera. Avendoraldera, a sapling from Avendesora, was a gift from the Aiel over four hundred years ago.[2] Even Verin has no idea how the Aiel got a sapling from Avendesora.[3] Elayne recalls a line from the Prophecies of the Dragon, "On the slopes of Dragonmount shall he be born, born of a maiden wedded to no man." She notes that Rand looks like an Aiel and also looks like Tigraine as well.[4] Egwene recalls what Moiraine told her about Tam and Kari al'Thor not being Rand's real parents. A mile down river some men step out of the trees and knock them out.

Egwene regains consciousness and hears her captors talk about someone named Adden and their rings. They come to a palisade with nearly a hundred men. One of the men notices she is awake and knocks her out again.

Egwene comes to in a dark room with Elayne and Nynaeve. Through a crack in the wall sees a dozen men. Their leader is Adden. From the discussion it is clear that the three of them are to be sold. Another man, Coke, enters and says the buyer is still not there. A fat man says they will not wake for hours because of the drug he gave them. She wakes Nynaeve. Nynaeve knows the drug they used, sleepwell. It actually just cures headaches and makes one sleepy. She examines Elayne who is badly hurt and Heals her. When they look through the crack again they see that three Fades have arrived. One examines Lan's ring and says these are the Aes Sedai he seeks.[5] Egwene channels the lock open with a very tiny flow, but the Fades still feel it. As they open the door, the outer door to the room opens and a bunch of Aiel enter. In a few minutes, all the men are dead, two Aiel are dead and the Fades stand in the center of the room. Egwene and Elayne channel and the Fades start to burn. Then Nynaeve unleashes a rod of brilliant light and they simply vanish. She is shocked at what she just did. Egwene realizes this must be balefire. Egwene recognizes one of the Aiel as Aviendha. Dailin is among the dead, which infuriates Nynaeve. The leader is Rhuarc, clan chief of the Taardad Aiel. Aviendha says she followed them and saw them captured. She then found Coram and he located Dhael and Luaine and they rounded up the rest of the Aiel. Aviendha is surprised that a clan chief is among the searchers. Rhuarc says Amys, Bair, Melaine and Seana told him he had to go because of their dreams. Rhuarc notes Lan's ring and recognizes it as the ring of Malkier kings. Egwene, Elayne and Nynaeve sleep under the stars. The next morning they take three of the bandits' horses and continue south. Egwene names her horse Mist.[6] The nineteen surviving Aiel accompany them to Jurene. The Aiel leave and the girls find a ship, the Darter. The captain[7] recalls seeing the Blue Crane still hung up when he passed. Nynaeve pays their fares and they board.
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