Chapter 25 - Attending Elaida
Summary
Tarna Harshaw ascends the White Tower's shifting staircases to report to Elaida Moseneve in her opulent sitting room, where the Amyrlin is drinking wine with Meidani. After dismissing Meidani, Elaida reveals she suspects the yellow-haired woman of espionage and intends to psychologically break her rather than execute her immediately. She questions Tarna about the seals on the Dark One's prison, the slow progress of dismantling the harbor chain, and Egwene al'Vere's captivity, ordering the captive Amyrlin to serve supper that evening. Elaida issues a harsh public decree threatening daily penances from Silviana Brehon for any Sitter who fails to contribute laborers or attends rebel talks. The division concludes with Mat Cauthon resting in a forest clearing with his companions, planning to guide them through a smugglers' pass into Murandy to avoid Seanchan patrols while heading toward the Damona Mountains.
Characters
- Tarna — Ascends the Tower's shifting staircases to report to Elaida, weighing the political risks of bonding Asha'man while delivering updates on harbor work and Egwene's captivity. Accepts a harsh new decree regarding Sitter penances before leaving the Amyrlin's presence.
- Elaida — Drinks wine with Meidani while plotting to psychologically break a suspected spy without killing her. Issues a public order threatening daily penances for Sitters who fail to contribute laborers or attend rebel talks, and commands Egwene to serve supper that evening.
- Meidani — Dines with Elaida before being dismissed under the Amyrlin's predatory gaze. Flees the room visibly frightened, unaware that her host suspects her of espionage and plans to torture her rather than execute her immediately.
- Egwene — Spends nearly half her day enduring punishment from Silviana Brehon, though Elaida expects the captive to eventually yield rather than be broken. Ordered to serve supper to Elaida and Meidani that evening.
- Silviana — Assigned by Elaida to tame Egwene through careful punishment, with the Amyrlin explicitly instructing her not to break the captive's spirit entirely. Tasked with administering daily penances to Sitters who defy orders regarding labor or rebel talks.
- Mat — Rests in a forest clearing with his companions after covering significant ground each day. Plans to guide them through a smugglers' pass into Murandy, avoiding Seanchan patrols while heading toward the Damona Mountains.
- Vanin — Mentioned as knowing of a smugglers' pass by hearsay, which Mat intends to use to reach Murandy safely within two days of crossing the Damona Mountains.