Chapter 21 - A Mark

Summary

Alviarin travels to a dusty basement storeroom beneath the Tower Library on Mesaana’s orders, channeling to clean dust and mud from herself while fuming over her mistress’s micromanagement. She navigates the unusually silent basements and Ninth Depository, encountering Brown sisters Zemaille and Aiden who make cryptic remarks about a “sad time.” Proceeding to Elaida’s apartments, Alviarin finds the Amyrlin surrounded by Sitters demanding negotiations with the rebels. Ordered to stand in the corner like a penitent, Alviarin watches as Elaida asserts unprecedented authority, reveals knowledge of the rebels’ Traveling ability, and dismisses the Hall. After the Sitters depart, Elaida shields Alviarin from the One Power, strips her of the Keeper’s stole via a quick consensus, and threatens execution for treason. Terrified, Alviarin flees to her quarters, uses a ter’angreal to summon Mesaana, and witnesses a towering Myrddraal reveal himself as the Hand of the Shadow. The creature binds Mesaana in black fire for her arrogance, then marks Alviarin on the forehead with a searing touch, commanding her to find those hunting the Black Ajah before dismissing her. Alviarin escapes in terror, realizing she is now directly under the Dark Lord’s command and suspecting Talene may be involved in the hunt against them.

Characters

• Alviarin (Keeper, Daughter) — Flees to a dusty basement on Mesaana's orders, navigates the silent Library, and confronts Elaida only to be stripped of her office, shielded, and threatened with execution for treason. She uses a ter'angreal to summon Mesaana, witnesses the Hand of the Shadow punish her mistress, and receives a direct mark and command from the Dark Lord before fleeing in terror.
• Mesaana (Chosen, Great Mistress) — Commands Alviarin through cryptic orders and appears via illusion to be confronted by a towering Myrddraal who reveals himself as the Hand of the Shadow. She is bound in black fire for her arrogance and failure to attend a summons, then spared only because the Dark Lord claims Alviarin as his own.
• Elaida (Amyrlin Seat, Mother) — Asserts unprecedented authority over the Hall, demands negotiations with the rebels, and publicly strips Alviarin of the Keeper's stole after a consensus is reached. She shields Alviarin from the One Power, slaps her, and threatens execution for treason while maintaining a veneer of control.
• Zemaille (Brown sister, librarian) — Encounters Alviarin in the Library basements, offering cryptic remarks about a "sad time" that unsettle the Keeper before she continues her journey.
• Aiden (Brown sister, librarian) — Watches Zemaille and Alviarin from down the hall, noted as one of the few Browns rarely seen on the ground floor despite working in the secret Thirteenth Depository.
• Suana (Yellow Ajah head, First Weaver) — Demands that negotiations with the rebels belong to the Hall rather than Elaida, displaying strong Yellow Ajah support for talks despite Alviarin's internal suspicions.
• Doesine (Yellow Sitter) — Appears pale and reluctant in Suana's company, looking as though she was dragged to the meeting against her will.
• Ferane (White Ajah head, First Reasoner) — Supports talks on logical grounds, noting the Tower's division is unsustainable with Tarmon Gai'don approaching, though she appears distracted and disheveled.
• Andaya (Taraboner Sitter) — Urges Elaida to begin talks immediately to prevent street fighting or a rebel invasion via Traveling, speaking with a strong Taraboner accent and visible unease.
• Yukiri (Sitter) — Present in Elaida's audience but turns her head aside when Andaya seeks support, noted for her stubborn independence despite being present at the meeting.
• Shevan (Brown Sitter) — Cites historical precedents to argue that the Tower cannot afford division with the Last Battle looming, though she unconsciously rubs her fingers in tension.
• Talene (Green Ajah Captain-General, senior Green Sitter) — Defers to Yukiri and Doesine instead of answering Elaida directly, then stands plucking at her skirts while Rubinde speaks for the Greens.
• Rina (Green Sitter) — Frowns in puzzlement at Talene's behavior before remaining silent during the Green Ajah's representation.
• Rubinde (Green Sitter) — Delivers the Greens' official stance supporting talks due to the Black Tower threat and the Dragon Reborn's absence, ignoring Rina's startled look.
• Myrddraal (Hand of the Shadow, Great Lord, Lurk) — Appears as a towering, eyeless figure in black armor to confront Mesaana for her arrogance and failure to attend a summons. He binds her in black fire, marks Alviarin on the forehead with a searing touch, commands her to find those hunting the Black Ajah, and dismisses her before vanishing.