Chapter 22 - To Make an Anchor Weep

Summary

Harine din Togara and her Windfinder Shalon travel by twelve to a Seanchan-built vessel in Illian's harbor to attend a meeting of the First Twelve of the Atha'an Miere. Upon boarding, Harine navigates tense dynamics with fellow Wavemistresses, particularly the newly appointed Mistress of the Ships Zaida and the hostile Pelanna, while reflecting on her recent ordeal with Min Farshaw and Cadsuane Melaidhrin. Logain Ablar arrives as an emissary from Rand al'Thor, delivering a demand for ships to transport supplies to Bandar Eban for over a million people. The meeting is abruptly interrupted by Sailmistress Cemeille din Selaan Long Eyes, who reports that the Amayar have been systematically poisoned and wiped out across Tremalking and surrounding islands after their Great Hand was destroyed, leading them to believe the world's illusion had ended. Zaida orders all available fast ships to search for survivors, clashing with Logain's insistence that they must prioritize Rand's supply demands for the coming battle.

Characters

• Harine din Togara (Wavemistress) — Attends the First Twelve meeting while suppressing memories of her punishment by Min Farshaw and Cadsuane Melaidhrin, and resolves to endure whatever comes to eventually become Mistress of the Ships.
• Shalon (Windfinder) — Travels with Harine to the meeting, observes the strange mist and wind in Illian's harbor, and provides quiet support to her sister during the tense gathering.
• Jadein (Deckmistress) — Commands the oarsmen of Harine's twelve with sharp insults and leather lungs, ensuring they reach the Seanchan ship without incident.
• Turane (Sailmistress) — Welcomes Harine aboard her vessel and later rushes into the cabin to announce Logain's arrival, breaking protocol in her haste.
• Serile (Windfinder) — Stands behind Turane with a gimlet eye and sour expression, wearing a white mourning stole alongside the other Windfinders.
• Pelanna (Wavemistress) — Mocks Harine's recent suffering with loud laughter and cruel remarks, displaying her deep-seated hostility toward her rival.
• Caire (Windfinder) — Pelanna's Windfinder who shares a deep concern for their missing daughter Talaan and would gladly see Tebreille reduced to menial labor.
• Mareil (Wavemistress) — Offers Harine genuine comfort and wine, recalling their shared past as deckhands and expressing relief that she survived Ebou Dar unharmed.
• Tebreille (Windfinder) — Mareil's Windfinder who shares Caire's worry over Talaan but harbors intense sibling rivalry and hatred toward her counterpart.
• Zaida (Mistress of the Ships, Shipmistress) — Asserts her authority over the First Twelve, enforces strict discipline on Amylia, and demands Logain's supplies for Bandar Eban be prioritized despite the Amayar tragedy.
• Shielyn (Windfinder) — Accompanies Zaida into the cabin, described as tall, slim, and reserved.
• Amylia (Aes Sedai) — Fumbles nervously while serving wine, having been brought back from Caemlyn to teach Windfinders and disciplined harshly by Zaida for her shorebound habits.
• Logain / Logain Ablar (Asha'man) — Arrives via gateway to deliver Rand's demand for massive supplies, calmly asserts that saidin is clean, and dismisses the Amayar tragedy as a distraction from Tarmon Gai'don.
• Cemeille din Selaan Long Eyes (Sailmistress) — Brings devastating news that the Amayar have been poisoned and wiped out across Tremalking after their Great Hand was destroyed, leaving her voice hoarse from grief.