Chapter 40 - Damane

Summary

Egwene al’Vere, Min Farshaw, and Elayne al’Maer al’Vaeren are captured by a Seanchan force led by High Lady Suroth; Egwene is collared by the sul’dam Renna and subjected to physical punishment to enforce obedience, while Min is spared only after Egwene begs for her life. Nynaeve al’Meara and Elayne, having escaped their captors, reunite and resolve to ride west to Falme to rescue their friends, despite their fear and lack of resources. Liandrin Sedai briefly interacts with Suroth before fleeing through the Waygate, leaving the captured women to their fate.

Characters

• Egwene / al’Vere — Egwene is collared by Renna and subjected to unseen blows when she defies her orders, enduring pain to save Min from execution before agreeing to serve Suroth.
• Bela — Bela, Egwene’s shaggy mare, is ridden through the Waygate and later restrained by Renna’s leash while Egwene is punished.
• Min — Min is seized by Elbar and kicked to the ground, nearly executed until Egwene pleads for her life, after which she is tied to a horse and carried away.
• Elayne (Daughter-Heir) — Elayne escapes her captors, reunites with Nynaeve, and agrees to ride to Falme to rescue Egwene and Min, brushing off her fear and disheveled state.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve hides in the brush, strikes the Seanchan with lightning, loses her connection to the Power, and rides with Elayne toward Falme, resolved to save her friends.
• Suroth (High Lady) — Suroth arrives on a palanquin, confronts Liandrin about the missing captives, and orders Egwene and Min transported to Falme, sparing Min's life for Egwene's sake.
• Renna — Renna, a sul’dam, collars Egwene and punishes her with physical pain to enforce obedience, teaching her the nature of their bond and the history of the a’dam.
• Elbar — Elbar, a hook-nosed soldier, seizes Min and drives her to the ground with his boot, later tying her to a horse after Suroth spares her life.
• Alwhin — Alwhin, a sul’dam with an empty leash, joins the march, mocks Renna’s leniency, and explains how sul’dam are occasionally linked to men by the Empress.