Chapter 24 - New Friends and Old Enemies

Summary

Egwene al'Vere begins her novice training in the White Tower and is assigned to Elayne, the Daughter-Heir of Andor, who reveals her identity and explains the Tower's rigorous structure and scarcity of Aes Sedai. The pair meets Min, a viewer who claims she was summoned by Moiraine, and Galad and Gawyn, who are Elayne's warder and half-brother respectively. Elaida Sedai interrupts the group, rebuking Elayne for speaking to an Aes Sedai and asserting the novice hierarchy before dismissing them to their chores, leaving Egwene and Min to wonder about Elaida's interest in Rand and Moiraine's motives.

Characters

• Egwene (novice) — Egwene is assigned to a novice room and meets Elayne, where she demonstrates her ability to channel by forming a ball of light. She learns about the Tower's strict rules and the scarcity of Aes Sedai, meets Min and the brothers Galad and Gawyn, and is sharply rebuked by Elaida for speaking without permission before rushing to her duties.
• Elayne (Daughter-Heir, Daughter-Heir of Andor) — Elayne acts as a guide for new novices, revealing she is the Daughter-Heir of Andor and discussing Rand al'Thor. She introduces Egwene to Min and her brother Gawyn, explains her complex relationship with Galad, and is corrected by Elaida regarding her conduct as a novice.
• Min — Min sits on a bridge in the garden wearing men's clothing and explains her ability to see auras and images around people. She discusses her summoning to Tar Valon and her visions regarding Elayne and Egwene, remaining wary of Elaida's scrutiny.
• Galad — Galad appears with Gawyn after training, bowing to Egwene and expressing a desire to see her again. He is described as exceptionally handsome and skilled with the sword, and Min notes that he always does what is right regardless of the personal cost.
• Gawyn (brother) — Gawyn appears with Galad, revealing he is Elayne's half-brother. He comments on Rand's ta'veren nature and the attention Elaida has paid to him, before being interrupted by Elaida's arrival.
• Elaida / Elaida do (Aes Sedai) — Elaida arrives in the garden, stopping Min and rebuking Elayne for speaking to an Aes Sedai without being bidden. She asserts her authority as a full sister, dismisses the novices to their chores, and begins questioning Min about her connection to Moiraine.
• Pedra (Accepted) — Pedra, an Accepted with briskness in her voice, assigns Egwene her first day of chores, including sweeping and dishwashing, and warns her to be punctual.
• Logain (false Dragon) — Logain is seen walking in the garden with a sagging posture and sad eyes, escorted by an Accepted. He is described as a gentled man who was formerly a false Dragon.