Chapter 13 - Punishments

Summary

Egwene and Elayne, confined in their novice quarters, discuss their fears of being stilled before being summoned by Faolain to the Amyrlin Seat’s antechamber, where they are joined by Nynaeve and escorted by Theodrin. Upon entering the study, they face Siuan Sanche, who reprimands them for leaving the Tower without permission and using the One Power against the Children of the Light. Siuan reveals that Liandrin and other sisters have fled as Black Ajah, having stolen ter’angreal and committed murder. Rather than stilling the women, Siuan promotes Egwene and Elayne to Accepted to mute criticism of their power while assigning all three to kitchen labor as punishment, and informs Elayne that her mother Morgase demands her immediate return to Caemlyn, a request Siuan has temporarily denied to ensure Elayne achieves the shawl.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene languishes in her windowless novice room, contemplating the possibility of being stilled and discussing escape plans with Elayne. She is led to the Amyrlin’s study, where she listens as the Amyrlin announces her promotion to Accepted and her assignment to kitchen work, accepting the punishment with relief that it is not worse.
• Elayne — Elayne whispers with Egwene through the wall, expressing fear and frustration at their confinement. She is taken by Leane to Sheriam’s study, where Siuan warns Elayne that she will not allow her to leave for Caemlyn until she earns the shawl, overriding her mother's demands.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve arrives at the Amyrlin’s study escorted by Theodrin. She attempts to defend herself by citing Liandrin’s deception but is silenced by Siuan. She is assigned to kitchen labor alongside the others and is promoted to Accepted, though she remains tense and wary of the Amyrlin’s authority.
• Siuan Sanche (the Amyrlin Seat) — Siuan Sanche sits behind her table, examining papers and coldly interrogating the three women. She reveals the truth about Liandrin’s Black Ajah activities and steals, assigns Egwene and Elayne to the Accepted rank, and orders all three to work in the kitchens as punishment, while firmly refusing to let Elayne return to Andor prematurely.
• Faolain — Faolain, an Accepted of the Red Ajah, enters Egwene’s room and escorts her to the study. She feigns sympathy for the novices’ loneliness but reports Egwene’s reluctance to move, only to be dismissed by Leane to rake the garden paths.
• Theodrin — Theodrin, an Accepted, escorts Nynaeve to the Amyrlin’s study and stands with her during the audience.
• Leane (the Keeper) — Leane Sedai waits in the antechamber, sternly assessing the women before admitting them to Siuan. She stands by Siuan during the interrogation and escorts Elayne out at the conclusion of the audience.