Chapter 27 - Tel’aran’rhiod

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne prepare for Egwene to enter Tel'aran'rhiod using a twisted stone ring ter'angreal given by Verin. Inside the dream world, Egwene first finds herself in a peaceful landscape but soon shifts to a dark hallway where she sees Perrin chained to a pillar, guarded by the wolf Hopper. She then finds Rand in a wood, who reacts with anger and suspicion before she flees to the Heart of the Stone, where she meets an old woman named Silvie and sees the angreal Callandor. Silvie attempts to keep Egwene there, causing her immense pain and forcing her to wake up. Relieved, Egwene shares her findings with Nynaeve and Elayne; they deduce the Black Ajah is heading to Tear and decide to follow them, agreeing to sleep together for safety against potential Soulless attacks.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene uses a stone ring ter'angreal to enter Tel'aran'rhiod, where she sees a chained Perrin, confronts an angry Rand, and meets Silvie near Callandor. She suffers pain from Silvie's interference and wakes up, later recounting her dream to Nynaeve and Elayne before planning to depart for Tear.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve guards Egwene during her dream entry, wakes her up after she is forced from the dream, and joins Elayne and Egwene in deciding to leave Tar Valon to pursue the Black Ajah to Tear.
• Elayne — Elayne sits guard during Egwene's dream, tends to Egwene upon waking, and agrees to join the mission to Tear, worrying about her mother's temper but determined not to be left behind.
• Verin / Verin Sedai — Verin appears in the kitchens, asking the women if they have found anything, and is described as blinking and looking surprised and puzzled to be there.
• Alanna — Alanna visits the kitchens to collect gooseberries and wine, and asks Egwene about the Green Ajah and their studies.
• Elaida / Elaida do — Elaida stands in the kitchens with her hands on her hips, staring sternly at the women.
• Sheriam / Sheriam Sedai — Sheriam stands in the kitchens with her hands on her hips, mirroring Elaida's stern pose.
• Anaiya / Anaiya Sedai — Anaiya stands in the kitchens, initially looking concerned before her expression hardens to match Elaida and Sheriam's.
• Perrin — In Tel'aran'rhiod, Egwene sees Perrin chained to a black stone pillar in a dark room, struggling to hold the chain, while a wolf guards him.
• Hopper — A black and gray wolf with yellow eyes guards the chained Perrin in the dream, growling at Egwene until Perrin shouts for him to stop.
• Rand / Rand al'Thor (Father of Lies) — In Tel'aran'rhiod, Rand sits by a magical fire in a wood, smoking a pipe. He attacks Egwene with a sword of flame when he believes she is sent by his enemies, forcing her to flee.
• Silvie / poor old Silvie — An ugly old woman in Tel'aran'rhiod who claims to have served Egwene's family. She leads Egwene toward Callandor, tries to keep her there, and causes her intense pain when she touches the ring.