Chapter 23 - Call to a Sitting

Summary

Romanda Cassin spends a quiet morning in her tent reading romance novels while reflecting on the political instability of the Yellow Ajah, the failure of food Keepings, and Egwene al'Vere's growing independence from Hall control. Nisao arrives to privately report that Lelaine Akashi has ordered her to cease investigating the murders of Anaiya and Kairen, confirming that Egwene operates without any external leash. After Theodrin announces a sudden Hall sitting, Romanda navigates the muddy camp, clashing with Mistress of Novices Tiana over Sharina Melloy's unauthorized teaching of new Healing weaves to older novices. At the pavilion, Lelaine convenes an informal session sealed from outsiders and summons Green sister Merise Haindehl, who arrives with three Warders including a bonded Asha'man named Jahar. Merise declares her refusal to support sisters fighting each other while the Shadow approaches, and Jahar strides to the center of the room to demand Egwene's location, stating he was ordered to present an offer directly to her.

Characters

• Romanda Cassin / Romanda (Sitter, First Weaver) — Reads romance novels to escape political stress, reflects on Egwene's independence and the failure of Keepings, clashes with Tiana over novice Healing training, and attends Lelaine's Hall sitting.
• Nisao (Sitter) — Secretly visits Romanda to report that Lelaine ordered her to stop investigating the murders of Anaiya and Kairen, revealing Egwene answers to no one's leash.
• Bodewhin Cauthon (novice) — Straightens Romanda's tent and is dismissed for her class, noted as intelligent with a hint of her brother's mannerisms.
• Theodrin (Sitter, Brown sister) — Rushes to inform Romanda that Lelaine has called a Hall sitting, having been taken in by Romanda after the Browns ignored her.
• Tiana (Mistress of Novices) — Defends Sharina's right to teach novices Nynaeve's new Healing weaves, clashes with Romanda over novice management and age precedents.
• Sharina Melloy / Sharina (novice) — Manages older novices in family units, displays skill with new Healing weaves, and exerts significant influence over camp novice affairs.
• Lelaine Akashi / Lelaine (Sitter, Blue sister) — Calls a Hall sitting, demands secrecy for its proceedings, and brings Merise Haindehl to present a proposal regarding Egwene al'Vere.
• Sheriam (Keeper) — Stands awkwardly outside the pavilion during the sitting, avoiding attention due to her position as Keeper of the Chronicles.
• Delana (Sitter, Gray sister) — Slumps on her bench at the sitting, rubbing her nose while observing the proceedings with watery blue eyes.
• Moria (Sitter, Green sister) — Paces anxiously before leaving the pavilion to fetch Merise Haindehl for the Hall's proposal.
• Malind (Sitter, Green sister) — Gossips about Myrelle bonding Llyw and rushes out to question the arrival of Asha'man Warders.
• Faiselle (Sitter, White sister) — Mocks Domani seduction tales and explains how she convinced Myrelle to bond her dangerous Warder.
• Janya (Sitter, Brown sister) — Squints thoughtfully from her bench, speaks out of turn to question Merise's presence, and notes Jahar's unafraid demeanor.
• Escaralde (Sitter, White sister) — Scurries into the pavilion to take her seat beside Janya, noted for her Far Madding origins.
• Lyrelle (Sitter, Blue sister) — Glides into the pavilion in brocaded blue silk to join the Blue Sitters.
• Saroiya (Sitter, White sister) — Enters the pavilion with Aledrin, their heads together as they take their seats.
• Aledrin (Sitter, White sister) — Weaves a ward against eavesdropping around the pavilion after hesitating over the formal words.
• Samalin (Sitter, White sister) — Fox-faced White Sitter who joins Faiselle and Malind on their bench.
• Merise Haindehl / Merise (Green sister) — Arrives with three Warders to deliver a proposal from Cadsuane and the Dragon Reborn, declaring she will stand with no sister contending against others while the Shadow looms.
• Jahar (Asha'man, Warder) — Sun-dark youth bonded to Merise who strides confidently into the Hall and demands to know where Egwene al'Vere is, stating he was ordered to lay an offer before her.
• Siuan Sanche / Siuan (former Amyrlin) — Rides a plump shaggy mare alongside Gareth Bryne, looking youthful and nearly falling off before he steadies her.
• Gareth Bryne — Rides out of a crossing street, helps Siuan dismount from her mare, and leaves her standing with the reins while he remounts.