Chapter 11 - Talk of Debts
Summary
Elayne Trakand arrives at Caemlyn’s Queen’s Stableyard via gateway and reflects on the distant magical surge, her precarious political standing with only two Houses backing her against Arymilla Marne, and the physical mirroring effects of her bond with Birgitte Silverbow. She firmly orders anxious Aes Sedai and Kin to remain in the palace rather than flee, reprimands Captain Doilan Mellar for unauthorized sorties that risked the city walls, and asserts she always pays her debts before dismissing her companions to seek a bath.
Characters
- Elayne / Elayne Trakand (Daughter-Heir, Queen) — Returns to Caemlyn via gateway and reflects on the distant magical surge, her precarious political standing with only two Houses backing her against Arymilla's six, and the physical mirroring effects of her bond with Birgitte. She firmly orders anxious Aes Sedai and Kin to remain in the palace rather than flee, reprimands Captain Mellar for unauthorized sorties that risked the city walls, and asserts she always pays her debts before seeking a bath.
- Birgitte / Birgitte Silverbow (Captain-General, Warder) — Arrives with Aviendha and immediately checks on Elayne's well-being through their bond, noting the Daughter-Heir's fatigue and lack of sleep. She reports that Kin and Windfinders are panicking over the distant surge, criticizes Mellar for opening city gates against orders, and stiffens in disapproval when he appears.
- Aviendha — Travels through the gateway last to ensure everyone's safety, struggles slightly with dismounting her horse, and offers a comforting hand squeeze to Elayne while silently glaring at Careane for her rudeness toward wilders.
- Caseille / Caseille Raskovni (Captain) — Leads the Queen's Guard through the gateway into the stableyard, orders most guards to dismount and tend to horses, and maintains a tight protective ring around Elayne despite the courtyard being crowded with Matherin men.
- Rasoria — The stocky Tairen under-lieutenant of the Queen's Guard who oversees the remaining guards, insists on monitoring Elayne's meals for poison, and gives a shove to a boy attempting to lead his horse into the palace.
- Deni — A wide, placid-faced Guardswoman who carries a brass-studded cudgel instead of a sword and is noted for her surprising speed and lack of conventional fighting rules.
- Sumeko — A Kin sister who suddenly faints with her eyes rolling up while Birgitte asks her to provide Healing, contributing to the general panic among the Kin and Windfinders over the distant magical surge.
- Vandene — Glides through the palace hallway in her late sister's ill-fitting green dress, paying no heed to the urgent whispers of three other sisters as she remains consumed by grief and a search for Adeleas's murderer.
- Merilille / Merilille Ceandevin — A Gray sister who appears perpetually startled and anxious about fleeing the palace due to the distant surge, but ultimately yields to Elayne's firm orders to stay and teach the Windfinders.
- Sareitha / Sareitha Tomares — A Brown sister who initially suggests gathering library volumes for a potential escape, defends Mellar's unauthorized rescue mission, and questions Elayne's decision to publicly reprimand him before accepting the dismissal.
- Careane / Careane Fransi — A Green sister with broad shoulders who elbows her way between Aviendha and Elayne, complains about Vandene avoiding Windfinder lessons, and quickly agrees to stay in the palace once Elayne asserts her authority.
- Doilan / Mellar / Captain Mellar (Captain) — Arrives boasting of a rescue mission he led without orders, claims recognition of Lord Luan's man through a looking glass, and is sharply reprimanded by Elayne for risking the city walls and unauthorized actions before leaving in sullen defeat.