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Summary

In a dream construct of the Ansaline Gardens, Aran'gar reveals she eavesdropped on the rebel Hall in Tel'aran'rhiod, learning Egwene knows about Tower dissension and suggesting the Tower might collapse before they can use her as a figurehead. Mesaana agrees to wait until Elaida breaks Egwene before staging a rescue to maximize confusion, refusing to reveal Egwene's location to Aran'gar. Moridin arrives with Moghedien and Cyndane, announcing Sammael's apparent return and ordering all Friends of the Dark to report Trolloc or Myrddraal sightings immediately due to the approaching Time of Return. He reprimands Mesaana for her failure at Shadar Logoth, directs them to search places Rand al'Thor has visited for the remaining seals on the Great Lord's prison, and asserts sole control over Lews Therin's death before commanding the immediate killing of Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon.

Characters

• Aran'gar — Reveals she eavesdropped on the rebel Hall in Tel'aran'rhiod, learning Egwene knows about Tower dissension. Tries to manipulate Mesaana by suggesting the Tower might collapse before they can use Egwene. Grabs Graendal's hair in anger when Mesaana refuses to reveal Egwene's location.
• Mesaana — Agrees with waiting until Elaida breaks Egwene before staging a rescue to maximize confusion. Refuses to tell Aran'gar where Egwene is kept, suspecting her motives. Asserts sole authority over Egwene's fate and shrinks back when Moridin reprimands her for failing at Shadar Logoth.
• Semirhage — Comments that dissension was always Mesaana's strength. Inspects the ta'veren illusions and remarks that they should have been shown their faces earlier so they could have killed them already. Sips wine calmly while observing Moridin's reprimand of Mesaana.
• Demandred — Laughs at Semirhage's comment and complains about public fondling. Lounges in his chair, appearing relaxed but internally unreconciled. Admits the Myrddraal orders sound like Sammael, possibly hinting he was the one who wore the disguise.
• Graendal — Remains outwardly calm while Aran'gar grabs her hair, though her streith reveals growing anger. Notes that finding ta'veren is harder now due to shifts in the Pattern. Previously claimed Cyndane was not Lanfear and weaker in the One Power.
• Moridin — Arrives with Moghedien and Cyndane, announcing Sammael's apparent return and the orders sent into the Ways. Commands all Friends of the Dark to report Trolloc or Myrddraal sightings immediately, halting solo adventuring due to the approaching Time of Return. Asserts absolute control over Lews Therin's death before commanding the immediate killing of Perrin Aybara and Mat Cauthon.
• Moghedien — Arrives with Moridin and Cyndane, sitting beside him only after he does. Appears still enough to fade into her chair. Observes the exchange between Moridin and Cyndane with curiosity, noting she doesn't know what happened to Mesaana at Shadar Logoth.
• Cyndane — Arrives dressed identically to Moghedien, described as a queen with an ice-chiseled face but speaks in a breathy, sultry voice. Suggests kidnapping Lews Therin to force him to reveal the seals' locations. Flinches and sweats when Moridin touches his coat, showing fear despite her hatred.