Chapter 38 - Maidens of the Spear

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne are confronted by Aviendha of the Taardad Aiel and her companions Bain and Chiad near the Erinin river, where they discover Dailin mortally wounded from a sword strike. Despite initial tension and cultural misunderstandings regarding the river, first-sister bonds, and the Aiel's historical subservience to Aes Sedai, Nynaeve uses her herbal knowledge and healing abilities to save Dailin's life, leaving the Aiel women to observe the medical miracle and confirming their non-hostile intentions through Aviendha's assurances.

Characters

• Egwene / Egwene al’Vere — Egwene channels the One Power defensively when confronted by the Aiel, maintaining a weave of Air and Fire while listening to the cultural explanations provided by the Maidens. She questions the Aiel about their fear of the river and their history, and learns about balefire before observing Nynaeve's miraculous healing of Dailin with shock and wonder, noting Elayne's admission that she considers Egwene a first-sister despite their lack of blood kinship.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve firmly engages the Aiel, demanding water and treatment materials while dismissing their rationale with insults. She mixes a complex herbal poultice to treat Dailin's fatal wounds and performs a powerful healing that miraculously restores the woman to health, astonishing Egwene with her skill.
• Elayne / Elayne Trakand (Daughter-Heir) — Elayne stands with Egwene and Nynaeve, introducing herself as the Daughter-Heir to Andor. She clarifies the Aiel concept of first-sisters to the confused Egwene and negotiates with the Aiel to establish that they pose no threat, relying on the belief that Aiel do not harm women.
• Aviendha (Far Dareis Mai) — Aviendha, a Maiden of the Spear of the Taardad Aiel, leads her companions to the women of the White Tower after spotting their rings. She is solemn and stoic, explaining the Aiel's ancient reverence for Aes Sedai and their prohibition against harming them, and ensures Dailin receives aid.
• Bain — Bain, a Maiden of the Spear of the Shaarad Aiel, stands ready with her spear and accompanies Aviendha. She explains to Elayne and Egwene the significance of her first-sister bond with Chiad and clarifies that while Maidens do not marry men, they are not entirely devoid of affection for them.
• Chiad — Chiad, a Maiden of the Spear of the Goshien Aiel, accompanies Bain and Aviendha. She shares the explanation of the first-sister bond with Bain and expresses confusion as to why Egwene and Elayne, who are Wise Ones, need to guard each other's backs without a spear bond.