Chapter 16 - The Wisdom

Description

In Baerlon’s Stag and Lion inn, Nynaeve confronts Moiraine and the young people from Emond’s Field, revealing how she tracked them despite Lan’s careful attempts to hide their trail. After a tense exchange between the Wisdom and the Aes Sedai, where Thom warns about the dangers of speaking openly of Aes Sedai with Whitecloaks in the city, Moiraine and Nynaeve speak privately while the others wait outside. Following this meeting, Nynaeve speaks with Rand alone, where she explains how she came to be sent after them - breaking a deadlock between the Village Council and using the Women’s Circle to take action - and attempts to comfort him about his growing doubts regarding his parentage after Tam’s fever-dreams, though her own hesitation when discussing birth origins suggests she knows more than she reveals.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Leads friends into the inn to confront Nynaeve, has a private conversation with Min about her visions, then has an emotional discussion with Nynaeve about his true parentage and Tam's fever dreams.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Accompanies Rand to meet Nynaeve and briefly interacts regarding Min's comments.
  3. Nynaeve al'Meara - Confronts Moiraine, reveals how she tracked and found the group, and has an intimate conversation with Rand about his identity and Tam's fever dreams.
  4. Egwene - Attends the meeting with Nynaeve, shows discomfort about her unbound hair, and withdraws when private conversations begin.
  5. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Interrogates Nynaeve about the boys' origins, particularly interested in whether any were born outside the Two Rivers.
  6. Lan, Elyas Machera - Guards the door during Moiraine and Nynaeve's conversation, maintains security, and briefly interacts with Nynaeve.
  7. Perrin Aybara - Leads the group to the meeting room and participates in the initial confrontation with Nynaeve.
  8. Thom Merrilin, Master Merrilin - Warns about the dangers of speaking carelessly about Aes Sedai in Baerlon, then leaves the group.
  9. Min - Pulls Rand aside to warn him about seeing sparks around Nynaeve and the increasing danger surrounding the group.

Takeaways

  1. Nynaeve tracked the group to Baerlon by following their trail, demonstrating exceptional tracking abilities that impressed even Lan.
  2. Min warns Rand that Nynaeve is somehow connected to their group and that her arrival has increased the danger to all of them.
  3. Nynaeve reveals that Tam tried to convince the village council about the Trolloc threat but failed, and that she left Mavra Mallen in charge as Wisdom during her absence.
  4. Nynaeve learns from Moiraine's questioning that she was particularly interested in whether any of the boys were born outside the Two Rivers.
  5. Rand confides in Nynaeve about Tam's fever-dream revelation that he was found as a baby, and Nynaeve assures him that Tam and Kari were his true parents.