Chapter 37 - Fires in Cairhien

Summary

Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve travel down the Erinin toward Tear on the Blue Crane, witnessing the devastation of the Cairhienin civil war. Egwene reflects on her recurring dreams, realizing one foretells a Gray Man hunting Mat, and struggles with the limitations of her twisted stone ter'angreal. When the ship strikes a sunken vessel, Nynaeve takes command, convincing a panicked Captain Ellisor to let the women disembark in Jurene to continue their journey on foot. The three women set out southward, with Egwene asserting her determination to defend themselves against brigands as they encounter a suspicious figure near the riverbank.

Characters

• Egwene (Aes Sedai) — Egwene stands on the deck of the Blue Crane, observing the ruins of Cairhien and reflecting on her dreams and the limitations of her ter'angreal. She realizes a dream about a Gray Man likely refers to Mat, and later takes the lead in walking south after the group disembarks, declaring her intent to defend herself if necessary.
• Elayne (Daughter-Heir) — Elayne joins Egwene on deck to discuss the destruction and Mat's safety, displaying concern for the starving Cairhienin people. She is thrown to the deck when the ship hits the wreck, listens to Nynaeve's plan, and walks with the group, remaining silent after Egwene's assertion of self-defense.
• Nynaeve (Aes Sedai) — Nynaeve appears on deck to confront Captain Ellisor about the ship grounding, swiftly taking charge of the situation. She negotiates the group's disembarkation at Jurene, convincing a terrified Ellisor that they can walk faster than waiting, while Egwene leads the way south followed by Elayne.
• Ellisor / Chin (Captain) — Captain Chin Ellisor steers the Blue Crane, which runs aground on a wreck. He panics and sweats profusely while Nynaeve takes control, protesting the women's plan to walk ashore before eventually scurrying to prepare their rowboat as commanded.