Chapter 14 - Wet Things

Summary

Elayne navigates the bustling Caemlyn palace corridors while dripping wet from spring rains, encountering Reanne Corly who is helping former damane Jillari adapt to freedom by learning to use "I" and choose a surname. Elayne learns that sul'dam Marli Noichin has admitted to seeing weaves but now begs for an a'dam collar; despite Reanne's hesitation, Elayne orders her sent back to the Seanchan to strike at their roots. She observes Vandene mourning her murdered sister Adeleas by wearing only her clothes and perfume, using the supervision of runaway novices Kirstian and Zarya as a cover to hunt their killer. First Maid Reene Harfor informs Elayne that three mercenary captains, Careane Sedai, Sareitha Sedai, and Captain Mellar await her audience. The Sea Folk Windfinders Chanelle and Renaile confront Elayne about the missing Talaan and Merilille, demanding she fulfill her bargain or face payment demands from Aes Sedai at The Silver Swan. Birgitte asserts Elayne's authority over them per a past bargain, prompting Elayne to challenge Chanelle to apologize for calling her a liar. Overwhelmed by stress and pregnancy-related mood swings, Elayne unleashes a loud scream in the corridor before storming off to change, leaving Aviendha and Birgitte amused by the outburst.

Characters

• Elayne — Manages palace cleanup while dripping wet, orders sul'dam Marli sent back to Seanchan, confronts Sea Folk Windfinders over missing allies, and loses composure with a loud corridor scream before storming off.
• Reanne Corly — Helps former damane Jillari adapt to freedom by practicing self-reference and surname selection, notes Marli's sudden desire for an a'dam collar, and expresses sympathy for Vandene's grief.
• Kara Defane (wise woman) — Patiently coaches Jillari to use first-person pronouns and make eye contact while encouraging her to choose a new surname despite past trauma from Seanchan captivity.
• Jillari — Former damane struggling with autonomy, weeps when attempting to say "I," and seeks permission to keep her birth name while adopting a surname.
• Marli Noichin (sul'dam) — Confessed to seeing weaves but now desperately begs for an a'dam collar, prompting Elayne's decision to return her to the Seanchan as a strategic blow.
• Vandene (Green) — Mourning murdered sister Adeleas by wearing only her clothes and perfume, using novice supervision as a cover to hunt their killer under the guise of teaching.
• Jaem — Elderly but formidable Warder who walks closely beside Vandene while she tends to Kirstian and Zarya, maintaining a hard demeanor despite his age.
• Kirstian (novice) — Runaway novice resettled under Kin rules, currently kept occupied by Vandene as part of her punishment and cover for hunting Adeleas' murderer.
• Zarya (novice) — Another runaway novice following Kirstian under Vandene's strict supervision, having adapted to novice life despite centuries of freedom.
• Reene Harfor (First Maid) — Faithful palace steward who informs Elayne about waiting mercenaries and the presence of Careane, Sareitha, and Mellar in the Blue Reception Room.
• Careane Sedai — Aes Sedai present in the Blue Reception Room alongside Sareitha and Captain Mellar to keep mercenary captains occupied while Elayne changes.
• Sareitha Sedai — Aes Sedai stationed with Careane and Mellar in the Blue Reception Room to monitor the waiting mercenary captains and prevent theft.
• Mellar (Captain) — Present among the mercenaries in the Blue Reception Room, drawing Elayne's suspicion regarding his whereabouts and potential for mischief.
• Chanelle din Seran White Shark (Windfinder) — Demands news of Talaan and Merilille, threatens to demand payment from Aes Sedai at The Silver Swan, and departs after Elayne's public outburst.
• Renaile din Calon (former Windfinder, secretary) — Reduced to Chanelle's secretary due to Nesta's death, obediently carries a writing box to deliver demands to The Silver Swan without question.
• Birgitte — Asserts Elayne's authority over the Sea Folk per Zaida's bargain, maintains composure during the confrontation, and finds Elayne's screaming fit amusing.
• Aviendha — Stays close to Elayne throughout the palace encounters, shares a comforting grip with her, and laughs uncontrollably at her sudden corridor scream.