Chapter 18 - Healing

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne are led by Sheriam Sedai into the depths of the White Tower to witness Mat Cauthon’s healing by the Amyrlin Seat and ten other Aes Sedai. Inside a secluded room, the Amyrlin uses a powerful sa’angreal to sever the bond between Mat and the Shadar Logoth dagger, a process that causes Mat to channel the One Power and shout commands in the Old Tongue as he struggles against the artifact. Once the dagger is trapped in a metal box, Mat collapses, exhausted but alive, and the Amyrlin dismisses the group, leaving them with the warning that his recovery is uncertain.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene is led by Sheriam to the healing room, where she witnesses the Amyrlin’s desperate efforts to heal Mat. She feels the pull of the One Power but suppresses it, and later learns from the Amyrlin that Mat commanded them in the Old Tongue.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve accompanies Egwene and Elayne to the healing chamber, where she channels to trap the air and feels the overwhelming power of the Aes Sedai. She confirms that Mat shouted commands to the sisters before collapsing after the dagger is removed.
• Elayne — Elayne is brought to the room and holds Egwene’s hand as the healing takes place. She asks the Amyrlin about Mat’s shouting and is informed that he was commanding soldiers in the Old Tongue from the past.
• Sheriam — Sheriam leads the three women through the lower levels of the Tower to the healing room. She maintains strict silence and decorum, later informing the Amyrlin that it is late and the cooks are waiting.
• Amyrlin (Mother, The Amyrlin Seat) — Siuan directs the Healing of Mat using a sa’angreal, melding flows with other Aes Sedai. After the dagger is removed, she declares Mat is as well as he can be and dismisses Egwene and the others, noting the danger of Shadar Logoth’s taint.
• Leane — Leane stands at Mat’s feet during the Healing. She sniffs loudly when Mat shouts commands to the Aes Sedai.
• Verin — Verin observes the Healing alongside Serafelle, commenting on the strength of the Old Blood flowing in Mat. She and Serafelle discuss the event in quiet, gesturing conversation as other Aes Sedai leave.
• Serafelle — Serafelle, a Brown sister, stands among the Aes Sedai performing the Healing. She converses quietly with Verin about Mat’s Old Blood abilities while others recover from the exertion.
• Alanna (Mosvani) — Alanna Mosvani, a Green sister, participates in the Healing and later wipes sweat from her face with a handkerchief. She is noted as having previously tested Egwene.
• Anaiya — Anaiya, a Blue sister, assists in the Healing and retrieves the metal box to contain the Shadar Logoth dagger. Afterward, she leaves the room with Verin and Serafelle.
• Mat — Mat lies on the stone table as the Aes Sedai heal him, struggling against the dagger's bond. He shouts battle commands in the Old Tongue of Manetheren and orders the Aes Sedai to release him before the dagger is trapped and he collapses.