Chapter 16 - Hunters Three

Summary

Egwene and Nynaeve find Elayne in her newly appointed Accepted quarters, where they are surprised by the sudden arrival of Galad and Gawyn al'Vere, who have come to retrieve Elayne under Queen Morgase's orders. After Nynaeve forcefully expels the brothers, the three women discuss the dangerous mission Siuan Sanche has assigned them: hunting the Black Ajah. They resolve to include Elayne in the search as an unknown element to their enemies, and Nynaeve proposes a risky plan to channel the One Power together to Heal Mat Cauthon, despite the potential danger of burning themselves out. Their discussion is abruptly interrupted by the entrance of an Aes Sedai.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene enters Elayne's room and is immediately affected by Galad's presence, feeling her pulse quicken and attempting to suppress her attraction to him. After the al'Vere brothers depart, she listens to Nynaeve and Elayne's plans to hunt the Black Ajah and Heal Mat, agreeing to join the risky channeling attempt before being interrupted by an Aes Sedai.
• Elayne — Elayne waits in her new Accepted quarters, anxious about her missing mother and the attention of Galad and Gawyn. After they leave, she reveals her willingness to join Egwene and Nynaeve's dangerous mission against the Black Ajah, citing her duty as Daughter-Heir, and expresses indignation at the Amyrlin's potential neglect of Mat.
• Galad — Galad al'Vere enters the room with his brother Gawyn, claiming to act on Queen Morgase's orders to retrieve Elayne. He charms Egwene and Nynaeve with his presence and smile while firmly stating his intention to protect Elayne, ignoring Nynaeve's commands to leave until he finally departs with his brother.
• Gawyn — Gawyn al'Vere arrives with his brother, arguing that Elayne owes their mother an explanation for her disappearance. He attempts to press Elayne for answers and complains about the fear their mother must be feeling, but eventually yields to Nynaeve's command to leave the room.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve asserts her authority in her Accepted room, ordering Galad and Gawyn al'Vere to leave her quarters. After the young men depart, Nynaeve and Egwene discuss the Amyrlin's mission to hunt the Black Ajah, with Elayne insisting on being included in the secret. Nynaeve expresses suspicion that the White Tower views Mat Cauthon and the three of them merely as tools, and proposes that they channel together to attempt to Heal him.