Chapter 23 - Ornaments

Summary

Cadsuane observes the muddy fields outside Algarin’s manor while wearing golden ornaments that react to saidin. Verin arrives with news of political shifts in Tear, including an alliance between High Lords Astoril and Darlin and the death of Nesta din Reas. Min bursts into the room wearing a boy’s coat and breeches to deliver Rand’s summons, prompting reflections on her bond to him. Cadsuane navigates corridors where Nesune discusses snakes with Verin despite past political divides, then encounters Beldeine and Merise observing Lan training an Asha’man Warder named Jahar in the courtyard. Nynaeve watches anxiously from a bench, adorned with heavy jewelry and an angreal, while Merise notes Jahar’s growing strength and shows Cadsuane a pin Rand gifted him. Cadsuane proceeds to Rand’s chambers, guarded by Alivia and Elza, where she finds Rand pacing and discussing Seanchan tactics before Brian and Sarene interrupt to report their Warders are traveling closer.

Characters

• Cadsuane / Cadsuane Melaidhrin — Wears golden ornaments that vibrate near saidin and observes political shifts in Tear through Verin. Reflects on her past, the changing boundaries of Aes Sedai bonding men, and notes Rand's hardened demeanor after Shadar Logoth.
• Algarin — Hosts Cadsuane at his manor and pays debts faithfully. Reveals he wants to be tested for the Power and staggers slightly when turning, hinting at saidin use or lingering weakness.
• Verin — Returns from Tear with news of High Lords Astoril and Darlin allying, Sea Folk dominance, and Nesta din Reas's death. Pretends unworldliness but sharpens political analysis and talks amiably with Nesune despite past opposition.
• Min / Min Farshaw — Bursts into the room wearing a boy's red coat, blue breeches, and red-heeled boots to relay Rand's message. Verin notes she is in love with Rand and bonded to him, while her dislike of Alivia reveals sharp instincts.
• Nesune — Brown sister loyal to Elaida but now sworn to Rand. Recalls everything she has ever seen and discusses a snake skin from the Drowned Lands with Verin, remaining unaffected by ta'veren influence.
• Beldeine — Green sister who looks younger than Min and wears a green-fringed shawl. Concerned about lacking a Warder yet and considers bonding an Asha'man before leaving frostily when Cadsuane appears.
• Merise — Taraboner Green sister bonded to the Asha'man Jahar. Practices linking with him, worries about his growing strength in the Power, and dithers over Warder authority boundaries after showing Cadsuane a pin Rand gave him.
• Jahar — Sun-dark Asha'man Warder to Merise who trains with wooden swords against Lan. Grows stronger in the Power, expects to die daily, and remains agitated over a pin Rand gifted him.
• Lan / Lan Mandragoran — Fights Jahar with effortless fluidity using a wooden blade. Nynaeve watches him anxiously from a bench, wearing a red dot indicating Malkieri marriage customs despite him not being her official Warder.
• Nynaeve — Watches Lan train while bouncing and silently shouting encouragement. Wears heavy gold jewelry and an angreal on her left hand, demonstrating loyalty to Rand alongside wariness of his growing power.
• Nethan — Lean Merise Warder with white wings at his temples who fights Jahar in practice. Accepts he can die any day and observes the training without intruding.
• Bassane — Short, wide Cairhienin Warder to Merise who laughs at over-ambitious men tripping on their blades. Accepts his mortality and drinks in memory of Daigian's dead Warder Eben.
• Tomas — Verin's stocky gray-haired Warder who sits with Darner to drink in memory of Daigian's deceased Warder, honoring mourning rituals.
• Darner — Grizzled man with a fringe of white hair who wants to heal Daigian but respects her refusal to break mourning customs. Drinks in memory of Eben alongside Tomas.
• Daigian — Remains in her room grieving her dead Warder Eben. Refuses Darner's healing to honor traditional mourning rituals, keeping her weeping private.
• Corele — Yellow sister practicing linking with Damer while focusing on understanding saidar mechanics. Unaware of the Dark One's taint sliding down her throat due to her narrow focus.
• Alivia — Pale-haired Seanchan woman who guards Rand's door and appointed herself his protector. Shares a determined, hopeful connection with him revealed in glances and stands far above others in the Power.
• Elza — Aes Sedai guard with brown eyes and an ageless look who tries to block Cadsuane from entering Rand's room. Takes her oath seriously but struggles with serving anyone, relenting only after Alivia intervenes.
• Rand / al'Thor — Paces his room discussing Seanchan tactics while staggering slightly, hinting at saidin use. His face remains carved from stone with cold, weary eyes after Shadar Logoth, noting that events will not wait for him.
• Brian — Green sister with a pale face flushed by agitation who pushes another sister into the room. Reports her Warders Bartol and Rashan are traveling closer while speaking with a thick Illian accent.
• Sarene — Beautiful White sister who maintains a cooler expression but shakes her head in exasperation. Reports her Vitalien is traveling closer and possesses a tightly sealed temper.