Chapter 21 - A World of Dreams

Summary

Egwene al'Vere travels to Verin Sedai's cluttered quarters to receive a briefing on the Black Ajah and the nature of reality. Verin explains that the Dark One exists in all parallel worlds simultaneously, meaning his freedom in one world would free him in all, and introduces Egwene to Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams. Verin gives Egwene a twisted stone ring from Corianin Nedeal that aids in entering this dream world, warning her of its dangers and the scars it left on Verin herself, before Egwene departs to return to her kitchen duties.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene scrubbed grease from her hands after bake day and hurried to Verin's quarters above the library. She listened to Verin's explanation of parallel worlds and the unification of the Dark One across them, then received a large, twisted stone ring that aided in entering Tel'aran'rhiod before leaving to return to her chores.
• Verin — Verin showed Egwene a fragile page regarding Ba'alzamon and Ishamael, explained the theory of parallel worlds and Tel'aran'rhiod, and gave Egwene a ter'angreal ring to help her master the Dreaming. After Egwene left, Verin retrieved Corianin Nedeal's notes on the ring and considered destroying them but chose to keep the knowledge.