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Chapter 13 - High Seats

Summary

Elayne concludes her bathing and dressing routine with Aviendha and her maids, navigating the emotional mirroring of her bond with Birgitte. Birgitte reports that Dyelin has secured four Houses for Elayne's claim by presenting their young High Seats: Perival Mantear, Catalyn Haevin, Branlet Gilyard, and Conail Northan. Elayne dresses formally to receive them, and the meeting reveals their youth, military contributions, and Catalyn's rude assumptions about Birgitte's status. Aviendha and Elayne diplomatically counter the insults while Dyelin explains her success and warns about the strain of passing Kinswomen off as Aes Sedai for gateway weaving. Birgitte and Aviendha criticize the High Seats' immaturity, particularly Conail's desire to fight a champion duel, but Dyelin defends them as products of wartime necessity before Elayne appoints her to manage the new allies.

Characters

  • Elayne Trakand / Elayne (Lady Elayne, Daughter-Heir) — Dresses in green silk with sapphires after a lengthy routine with her maids and Aviendha. Welcomes four young High Seats who pledge support against Arymilla, handling their youth and Catalyn's insults with diplomatic firmness. Appoints Dyelin to manage the new allies while suppressing Birgitte's fury over their immaturity.
  • Aviendha — Adopts courtly attire and demeanor to impress the High Seats, then skillfully counters Catalyn's insults about Birgitte by highlighting her archery prowess. Defends the necessity of following young leaders despite their inexperience.
  • Essande (First Maid) — Directs Elayne's wardrobe choices and insists on formal attire befitting a queen, while overseeing the dressing process with strict attention to detail.
  • Naris (tirewoman) — Assists in dressing Elayne and Aviendha, combing hair and fastening garments under Essande's supervision.
  • Sephanie (tirewoman) — Helps dress Elayne and brings wine and tea trays during the meeting with the High Seats.
  • Rasoria (Guardswoman, Captain-General of the Queen's Guards) — Enforces strict security protocols around Elayne, initially allowing Zaida's intrusion but later forming a protective ring. Announces the arrival of the First Maid and Clerk.
  • Birgitte Silverbow / Birgitte Trahelion / Birgitte (Warder, Captain-General) — Reports Dyelin's diplomatic success but expresses fury over the youth of the High Seats, particularly Conail's desire to fight a champion duel. Suppresses her emotions through the bond with Elayne and prepares to manage the young lords as Captain-General.
  • Dyelin Taravin / Dyelin (High Seat of Taravin) — Returns from a diplomatic mission having secured four Houses for Elayne's claim, presenting their young High Seats. Defends the necessity of children growing up quickly in wartime and warns about the strain of passing Kinswomen off as Aes Sedai for gateway weaving.
  • Perival Mantear / Perival (High Seat of House Mantear) — A young boy who pledges his house's support to Elayne, delivering a message from his bedridden uncle Willin. Shows maturity beyond his years regarding the winter campaign and accepts Elayne's kiss with bashful sincerity.
  • Catalyn Haevin / Catalyn (High Seat of House Haevin) — A young woman who brings the largest contingent of armsmen but displays haughty pride and rude assumptions about Birgitte's status. Her cool demeanor shifts to hesitant respect after Elayne's diplomatic handling and Aviendha's intervention.
  • Branlet Gilyard / Branlet (High Seat of House Gilyard) — A boy with unruly curls who pledges his house's support while nervously handling his sword and winecup. He sneaks glances at Birgitte's breeches and accepts Elayne's kiss with a heavy blush.
  • Conail Northan / Conail (High Seat of House Northan) — A tall, lean young man who pledges his house's support with a merry grin and boasts of his military readiness. He openly mocks Arymilla and expresses a desire to challenge her champion, drawing sharp criticism from Birgitte and Aviendha.
  • Zaida din Parede (Wavemistress) — Departs Elayne's apartments after a tense negotiation over Windfinders, leaving behind diplomatic implications for Andor and the Atha'an Miere.
  • First Maid — Arrives at the sitting room to deliver daily reports as Elayne concludes her audience with the High Seats.
  • First Clerk — Accompanies the First Maid to the sitting room, marking the end of Elayne's private time with her allies and advisors.