ChapterTrack

Chapter 37 - Fires in Cairhien

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne travel down the Erinin on the Blue Crane, observing the devastation of a civil war in Cairhien and discussing the meaning of Egwene's dreams regarding Mat and the Black Ajah. When the ship strikes a sunken vessel and becomes stuck, Nynaeve decides to disembark at the nearby village of Jurene rather than wait for repairs, forcing the reluctant Captain Chin Ellisor to ferry them ashore in a rowboat. After landing, the three women begin walking south along the riverbank, maintaining their cover as Aes Sedai while debating self-defense against potential brigands.

Characters

  • Egwene — Egwene observes the destruction along the Cairhien shore and reflects on her dreams, which she realizes may portend a Gray Man hunting Mat. She argues with Nynaeve and Elayne about the practicalities of their journey and the need to defend themselves, eventually agreeing to walk ashore at Jurene when the ship is disabled.
  • Elayne — Elayne joins Egwene on deck, expressing deep sympathy for the suffering of the Cairhienin people and wondering how Mat is faring. She worries that the civil war has led to starvation among the common folk, contrasting with Egwene's focus on their mission to Tear. Elayne agrees with Nynaeve’s pragmatic decision to walk ashore to save time rather than wait for the ship to be freed, and the group proceeds to land and walk in silence.
  • Nynaeve (Aes Sedai) — Nynaeve takes charge of the stranded ship's situation, ordering Captain Ellisor to ferry the women ashore at Jurene to avoid wasting time. She insists on walking the shorter distance to the village rather than waiting for the ship to be freed and suppresses her anger at the Captain's fear of the Aes Sedai.
  • Ellisor / Chin (Captain) — Captain Chin Ellisor steers the Blue Crane until it runs aground on a sunken ship. He frantically tries to free the vessel with his crew and later reluctantly complies with Nynaeve's order to launch the rowboat, sweating with anxiety as he escorts the Aes Sedai to shore.