Chapter 11 - Tar Valon

Summary

Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, Elayne Trakand, and Verin Sedai lead the litter of the feverish Matrim Cauthon into the village of Darein, where they navigate a tense encounter with Tar Valon's Whitecloak guards who have been mobilized due to rumors of a new false Dragon. After crossing the grand bridge and entering the White Tower, Verin reveals her concern that their use of the One Power against the Whitecloaks may have brought political danger upon them. They are met by Sheriam Sedai, the Mistress of Novices, who sternly reprimands the three Aes Sedai for leaving the Tower without permission and orders them to be confined to their rooms under strict silence until the Amyrlin Seat decides their fate, while Hurin departs for Shienar to report the Dragon's rebirth.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene rides into Tar Valon with her companions, feeling a sense of loss at Hurin's departure and anxiety about the political fallout from her use of the Power. She attempts to speak to Verin but is silenced by Verin's stern warning, then follows Sheriam's orders to retreat to her quarters while trying to remain calm in the face of potential punishment.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve rides into Tar Valon, visibly frustrated by Hurin's departure and Verin's warnings about the Tower's dangers. She is ordered by Sheriam to remain silent and confined, and she glares at Faolain, an Accepted who mocks her status as a wilder, before allowing Theodrin to lead her away.
• Elayne — Elayne rides with the group into the White Tower, her face pale with worry over Mat's condition. She is ordered by Sheriam to stay silent and is accompanied by an Accepted who watches her sternly as she is led to her confinement.
• Mat (the boy) — Mat lies unconscious in a horse litter, breathing with a dry rasp, while a mysterious leather sack is taken from his feet by Verin. He is hurriedly carried away by guards to a secluded location due to his dangerous illness, left behind as the others are confined.
• Verin (Verin Sedai) — Verin leads the group through the Whitecloak-guarded streets of Darein and across the bridge to Tar Valon, displaying calm authority and suspicion of the political climate. She silences Egwene's questions, orders Mat's sack to be secured, and negotiates the group's confinement with Sheriam, rushing to see the Amyrlin Seat immediately.
• Hurin (A man from Shienar) — Hurin arrives at the White Tower with the group but refuses rest, insisting on returning to Shienar to warn King Easar and Lord Agelmar about Rand al'Thor's rebirth. He departs hurriedly, promising that any summons to Fal Dara would be answered, before disappearing into the distance.
• Sheriam (Sheriam Sedai, Mistress of Novices) — Sheriam Sedai appears at the Tower gate to receive the return of the three Aes Sedai, expressing disdain for their unauthorized departure. Verin Sedai orders Mat to be taken away from prying eyes and instructs Sheriam to confine Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne to their rooms under strict silence until the Amyrlin wishes to see them, or possibly not. Sheriam Sedai conveys the severity of their actions, noting they have more ability than she ever hoped to see, and threatens severe punishment for any rule-breaking.
• Faolain (the Accepted, an Accepted) — Faolain, an Accepted of the Red Ajah, escorts Egwene to her confinement, eyeing her with disdain for her silence and her status as a novice. She maintains a stern, rule-enforcing demeanor, glowering at Nynaeve and snapping at Egwene to move along quickly, viewing their extravagant rule-breaking with disapproval.
• Theodrin (the Accepted, an Accepted) — Theodrin, an Accepted who identifies herself as a wilder, offers to escort Nynaeve to her room. She attempts to de-escalate the tension between Nynaeve and Faolain, promising to hold Nynaeve to Sheriam's silence order without baiting her.
• balding_man (balding man, the guardsman, the officer) — A balding Whitecloak officer guards the bridge to Tar Valon, initially annoyed by Verin's interruption but quickly becoming respectful upon recognizing her as Aes Sedai. He provides information about Whitecloak movements and local rumors regarding a false Dragon in the West.