Chapter 26 - Behind a Lock

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne search the library's basement for stolen goods left by the fleeing Black Ajah. After navigating the dark corridors, they find a locked storeroom which Nynaeve opens with a magically enlarged prybar. Inside, they discover thirteen bags of belongings belonging to the traitors, which contain clues pointing to their destination in Tear. Realizing the items are likely bait, the women collect the evidence, bundling it in a skirt to take to Nynaeve's room before their kitchen duties begin.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene searches empty rooms and corridors, losing track of Selene before rejoining her friends. She channels Earth and Fire to help Nynaeve open a locked door and then assists in searching the bags of stolen goods, noting the clues pointing to Tear.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve leads Egwene and Elayne into the library basement, opens a locked storeroom with a magically elongated prybar, and examines the contents of the Black Ajah bags, identifying them as bait.
• Elayne — Elayne follows her friends into the basement, providing light and observing Egwene's channeling. She helps search the bags and identifies a tattered book and other clues left by the fleeing sisters.