Chapter 16 - Hunters Three

Summary

In Nynaeve's larger Accepted quarters, Egwene and Nynaeve find Elayne already present with her brothers, Gawyn and Galad, who have traveled to the White Tower under orders from their mother, Queen Morgase, to escort Elayne back to Caemlyn due to perceived dangers including the Black Ajah. Nynaeve sternly rebukes the brothers for entering the women's quarters and forces them to leave by threatening to report them to the Master of Arms, ending their unwanted intrusion with a count of three. Once the brothers depart, Elayne joins the other two women, and despite initial hesitation, agrees to assist Egwene and Nynaeve in hunting the Black Ajah, motivated by the expectations of her station as Daughter-Heir of Andor and a desire for adventure. The group then discusses their mission and the critical condition of Matrim Cauthon, with Nynaeve resolving to attempt healing him herself despite the risks of channeling, prompting Elayne to offer to combine their powers to share the load.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene enters Nynaeve's room with Nynaeve and finds Elayne with her brothers. She remains mostly silent during the confrontation with Galad and Gawyn, blushing at Galad's attention, before joining the discussion about the Black Ajah and Mat's healing. She expresses alarm at the possibility of the Amyrlin letting Mat die and suggests combining their power to heal him.
• Galad — Galad arrives in Nynaeve's room with his brother Gawyn, acting as Elayne's escort under their mother's orders. He speaks smoothly to Egwene and Nynaeve, downplaying the danger of the White Tower and insisting on their duty to protect Elayne, while maintaining a confident and handsome demeanor that distracts Egwene and Nynaeve momentarily.
• Gawyn — Gawyn sits with Galad in Nynaeve's room, pressing Elayne for an explanation of her disappearance and criticizing her stubbornness. He is frustrated by their sister's refusal to listen and is silenced by Galad when Nynaeve confronts them, finally exiting the room abruptly after being counted out.
• Elayne — Elayne is already in Nynaeve's room when Egwene and Nynaeve arrive, having sought refuge from the attention of her brothers. She argues with them about her safety and duties, listens to the news of the Black Ajah, and ultimately agrees to join Egwene and Nynaeve in hunting the traitors, citing the courage expected of the Queen of Andor.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve hosts Egwene and Elayne in her larger Accepted quarters. She forcefully commands Galad and Gawyn to leave, using the lack of permission to enter as leverage, and later reveals the Amyrlin's secret mission to hunt the Black Ajah. She decides to attempt healing Mat herself and suggests combining their power to avoid burning herself out.