Chapter 9 - Traps

Summary

Faile t'Aybara endures her duties as a gai’shain servant to Wise One Sevanna while navigating the psychological and physical hardships of Shaido captivity. After narrowly avoiding an assault by a drunken Aiel named Nadric, she is rescued by Rolan, a Brotherless warrior who originally captured her. Faile reunites with her allies Alliandre Maritha Kigarin and Maighdin in the ruined city of Maiden, where they discuss escape plans and the deteriorating morale of their group. Aravine Carnel pledges fealty to Faile after revealing that two escaped gai’shain have been recaptured. Sevanna summons Faile to her tent, exposing a hidden knife and threatening her with punishment for attempting to flee. As retribution, Sevanna orders Faile to stand naked and bound beneath a table until dawn. Rolan brings braziers and massages her cramping legs, ultimately drawing laughter from Faile despite her perilous circumstances.

Characters

• Faile / t'Aybara / Bashere — Endures captivity as a gai’shain servant while secretly planning her escape. She narrowly avoids an assault by Nadric and receives aid from Rolan, who brings warmth to relieve her punishment-induced cramps. After Aravine pledges fealty, Sevanna discovers Faile's hidden knife and sentences her to stand naked and bound until dawn.
• Someryn (Wise One) — Stands with Faile while observing the Shaido camp, displaying a heavy collection of wetlander jewelry that contrasts with plain wool clothing. She stares northward alongside other Wise Ones before snapping at Faile to resume her duties.
• Sevanna (Wise One, Lady) — Commands a large retinue of gai’shain servants and hoards wetlander wealth, including silk clothing and extensive jewelry. She confronts Therava over camp strategy before summoning Faile to expose her hidden knife and order a humiliating punishment.
• Nadric — A massive, drunken Aiel man who attempts to assault Faile in an alley but is stopped by Rolan. He dismisses the threat of fighting over her and leaves after being challenged on his honor.
• Rolan (Brotherless, Mera’din) — One of the outcast warriors who originally captured Faile but disapproves of making wetlanders gai’shain. He rescues her from Nadric, carries her laundry basket, and later brings braziers to relieve her cramps while attempting to win her affection.
• Lacile — A Cairhienin gai’shain found hogtied and naked on a flatbed cart after being recaptured during an escape attempt three days prior. She averts her eyes in embarrassment upon seeing Faile.
• Arrela — A dark Tairen gai’shain who escapes alongside Lacile but is quickly recaptured and bound to the same cart. She goes bright red with embarrassment when Faile discovers her condition.
• Chiad — A gai’shain friend of Faile who refuses to assist further in escape plans, citing adherence to ji’e’toh and personal honor despite the Shaido's corruption of those rules. She departs after a brief, tense exchange with Faile.
• Alliandre / Maritha Kigarin (Queen of Ghealdan, Blessed of the Light, Defender of Garen’s Wall) — Stripped of royal status and forced into white robes, she washes silk garments alongside Faile while maintaining a harried but resilient demeanor. She discusses escape logistics and the psychological toll of captivity with her liege woman.
• Maighdin (lady’s maid) — Returns from a failed attempt to steal Galina's rod for Therava, revealing she was tied up but spared. She expresses intense hatred toward Therava and feels a magical surge that even her limited channeling ability detects.
• Galina (Aes Sedai) — Wears elaborate gai’shain robes and jewelry while maintaining an Aes Sedai demeanor despite captivity. She appears shaken by a distant magical surge and threatens Faile to continue stealing from Therava's tent.
• Aravine / Carnel — Reveals the recaptured Lacile and Arrela to Faile before pledging fealty after overhearing secrets about Faile's identity and escape plans. She warns that most gai’shain are too afraid or treacherous to trust but claims to have identified potential allies.
• Therava (Wise One) — Argues with Sevanna over camp strategy, urging an eastward retreat to the mountains for safety. She confronts Faile in Sevanna's tent, threatening her life if she fails to spy on Sevanna, and later shares a tense standoff with Sevanna over leadership.
• Masalin (Wise One) — A gray-haired Wise One seen briefly in the camp discussing an ailment with a man leading a horse, contributing to the background activity of the Shaido encampment.