Nynaeve POV#

Nynaeve, Elayne, Birgitte, Thom, Juilin, Uno, Ragan and the rest of the Shienarans are on Agni Neres' riverboat, the Riverserpent. With the crew and the refugees there are over hundred people aboard. Once they are downstream Elayne channels the wind to move them along. Total of five days. Nynaeve and Elayne continue to fight, Birgitte says like Shago barmaids with winteritch.[1] Neres gives the girls his cabin. Elayne figures out that he must be a smuggler. They force him to dump some of his cargo to make room for the refugees. Nynaeve uses her herbs on many of the sick and injured and surreptitiously Heals the worst such as Uno. Elayne continues to study the a'dam. The first night Nynaeve and Elayne visit Tel'aran'rhiod using the twisted ring and iron disc respectively.[2]

In the Heart of the Stone they wait to see if Egwene arrives, but she does not.

In the Royal Palace in Caemlyn, Nynaeve is duly impressed, but Elayne is very quiet.

In Emond's Field, they see a large manor house being built outside the village. There are banners of a red wolf's head and a red eagle. There is a stone plinth carved with many names.[3]

At Elaida's study in the White Tower, they search for information. There are now only six chairs for the Council.[4] Elaida knows that Rand is now in Cairhien. There is an angry letter from Elaida ordering all Aes Sedai to return to the White Tower unless they have specific orders directly from her. Tarabon is still silent. Pedron Niall is still recalling the Whitecloaks to Amadicia. Davram Bashere still cannot be found. An order sending an emissary to Salidar.[5] Letters from Queen Tenobia and King Easar resenting White Tower meddling.

Nynaeve and Elayne practice controlling Tel'aran'rhiod, but it is difficult for them. Elayne alternates between the iron disc and amber plaque.

Nynaeve grows close to three of the refugees. Nicola, about Nynaeve's age, fled when her fiancé, Hyran, was killed. Marigan,[6] a few years older, dealt in herbs and cures in Samara. She was forced to flee with her sons, Seve and Jaril. Areina, the youngest, went to Illian after her younger brother Gwil. She wound up taking the oath as a Hunters of the Horn. She is not from Ghealdan, but is not clear exactly where she is from. Birgitte finally realizes that Elayne really is the Daughter-Heir of Andor. Birgitte starts using her own name again. The three girls wash the coloring out of their hair. They reach Boannda dawn of the third day. Most of the refugees disembark, but Areina, Nicola and Marigan stay. When everyone is off, Nynaeve tells Neres that they are going on to Salidar.

That night Elayne and Nynaeve are back in Tel'aran'rhiod in the Heart of the Stone. This time Nynaeve is angry enough to use the amber plaque. She can barely channel, confirming Elayne's observation. Amys and Egwene arrive. Egwene immediately jumps in, telling them again about Rand's victory in Cairhien.[7] They are astounded that Mat killed Couladin. Rand is well, but he drives himself too hard. Aviendha is with him. He often practices the sword with Lan. He practices hand to hand fighting with the Aiel. He has started a school as well inviting scholars and craftsmen like a looking glass maker and giant crossbow maker.[8] The Shaido are retreating north, but more are joining them from the Aiel Waste. Rand is sending many of the Aiel to Tear. Nynaeve and Elayne report on their activities, about the gathering in Salidar, and the Prophet is actually Masema. Amys is unhappy that anyone with a ter'angreal can now enter Tel'aran'rhiod. Egwene hints at meeting them in Sheriam's study, then she and Amys vanish.

Nynaeve and Elayne go to Sheriam's study. Egwene appears briefly and chews them out for almost revealing their unsanctioned meetings. She quickly vanishes. Nynaeve loses her hold and returns to her body.

When she and Elayne wake, Elayne reports that she took another quick trip to Elaida's study. All she found was an order demoting Shemerin to Accepted. Two days later, mid-afternoon, the Riverserpent reaches the vicinity of Salidar. Elayne, Nynaeve, Birgitte, Thom, Juilin and the Shienarans disembark and head into the woods. Areina, Nicola and Marigan decide to accompany them.

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