Chapter 19 - Surprises

Summary

Egwene navigates camp protocol to enter the Hall, observing seating politics and simmering tensions among the Sitters as they gather. Romanda calls the meeting to order, prompting Lelaine to announce that negotiations with Elaida have been licensed, which surprises many. Moria demands Akarrin's report first; she reveals a three-mile-wide hole where Shadar Logoth stood, created by an alien weave using both saidar and saidin. Romanda questions if the situation has changed for them, leading Moria to propose allying with the Black Tower to bring male channelers into their circles to expand them against the Forsaken's weapon. The proposal triggers a furious uproar, which Egwene silences with a magnified weave of Air and Fire. After heated debate and reluctant support from Romanda and Lelaine, Sheriam announces the lesser consensus stands for an alliance. Takima refuses to stand but no one leaves, prompting Egwene to declare they will proceed carefully and request suggestions for an embassy.

Characters

• Egwene al'Vere (Amyrlin Seat, Flame of Tar Valon, Mother) — Navigates camp protocol to enter the Hall, observes seating politics and Sitter tensions, channels a magnified weave of Air and Fire to silence an uproar over Moria's proposal, and ultimately declares support for seeking an alliance with the Black Tower while requesting embassy suggestions.
• Siuan Sanche — Dispatches Sheriam to fetch the Keeper so Egwene can be announced properly according to protocol.
• Anaiya Sarandred — Speculates on Moria's intentions regarding Elaida and the Forsaken, noting her firmness and potential desire for an immediate assault.
• Myrelle Shaeiri — Paces restlessly, warns that Malind might propose abandoning Tar Valon to preserve forces for Tarmon Gai'don, and displays mercurial energy.
• Morvrin — Stands with fists on hips, curtly dismissing speculation about the Forsaken's involvement until concrete evidence emerges.
• Sheriam (Keeper of the Chronicles, Keeper) — Arrives breathless after hearing the Hall is sitting, apologizes profusely in front of others, announces Egwene using ritual phrases, and later weeps openly during the uproar before announcing the consensus.
• Nisao — Frets her underlip anxiously while waiting outside the pavilion.
• Carlinya — Stands calmly with folded hands, though her hem is mud-stained and cap needs combing.
• Beonin — Runs to the pavilion looking strained, hoping negotiations might be affected, but knows they are merely a ploy for time.
• Akarrin — Reports finding a three-mile-wide hole where Shadar Logoth stood, created by an alien weave using both saidar and saidin, and confirms the exact location.
• Therva — Stands with absolute serenity, which alarms observers given her normally excitable nature.
• Shana — Peers at the Hall entrance with wide, worried eyes and fiddles nervously with her cloak.
• Reiko — Keeps her eyes down while silver bells in her hair chime faintly as she shakes her head inside her cowl.
• Kwamesa — Looks around uncertainly about opening formalities until Romanda takes charge, then sits down when Varilin plucks her sleeve.
• Berana — Offers cool courtesies to Egwene and frowns at Akarrin before gliding into the pavilion with haughty precision.
• Malind — Stands to warn that existing circles cannot withstand the Forsaken's weapon, proposes keeping strongest sisters together, and supports expanding circles with men to counter the threat.
• Escaralde — Stands in argument with Takima over seating, then lectures on ancient literature regarding circle sizes and the inclusion of male channelers.
• Takima — Argues fiercely over seating arrangements, later shouts against the Black Tower alliance, refuses to stand for it, but does not leave her chair.
• Romanda — Calls the meeting to order, questions if anything has changed for them, eventually stands in support of the alliance despite personal reservations, and glares at Magla's back.
• Lelaine — Scowls at Moria, announces negotiations with Elaida have been licensed, snaps at Moria about reuniting the Tower, and ultimately stands to show unity.
• Samalin — Enters on Lyrelle's heels, looks surprised at Kwamesa, and later rises to stand beside Malind in support of the alliance.
• Lyrelle — Glides into the pavilion elegantly, looking surprised at the proceedings before taking her seat.
• Varilin — Plucks at Kwamesa's sleeve until she sits, suppresses a smile upon hearing about negotiations, and shouts against allying with male channelers.
• Magla — Rises to demand a closed sitting, shakes a fist in fury at the proposal, stalks toward Moria before hastily returning to her seat, and grips her bench while staring bleakly.
• Faiselle — Enters ignoring Magla, pops to her feet to question the proposal then sits immediately, shifts on her bench during the greater consensus call but does not stand.
• Saroiya — Trembles violently while screaming that Asha'man are tainted with the Dark One's touch, and bites her knuckle in horror when no one leaves over the decision.
• Janya — Stops dead upon hearing about negotiations, later stands immediately when Egwene asks who supports the alliance, and argues that trying is better than hoping until drowning.
• Aledrin — Joins Berana's bench, then marches back to escort Akarrin before the Hall after being asked by Sheriam.
• Salita — Enters while Lelaine speaks, stops dead in shock, later rises to stand beside Malind in support of the alliance.
• Delana — Darts into the pavilion last, looks uncertain and greenish at the proposal, and rises like a puppet against her will during the greater consensus call.
• Moria — Bounces to her feet to demand Akarrin's report, proposes allying with the Black Tower to bring men into circles, defends the plan by citing drowning circumstances and Asha'man numbers, and speaks calmly despite accusations of Darkfriend sympathies.
• Nisain — Smooths her skirts nervously, explains that residues near the hole are thick with saidar, confirms an alien weave was used, and detects overwhelming saidin resonance.