Chapter 38 - Practice

Summary

Egwene al'Vere and Nynaeve al'Meara practice channeling in secret while discussing their growing addiction to the One Power and their anxieties, joined by Elayne al'Vere and Min Farshaw. Their private practice is interrupted by Liandrin Sedai, who reveals that Rand, Mat, and Perrin are in mortal danger on Toman Head and that the Black Ajah walks within the White Tower. Liandrin commands Egwene and Nynaeve to meet her at sunset to accompany her to Toman Head to help their friends. Min and Elayne, having overheard the conversation, demand to join the mission, with Min arguing that Elayne is inextricably linked to the Pattern's unfolding. The group agrees to proceed despite the risks, with Nynaeve beginning to make logistical plans for the unauthorized departure.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene practices channeling secretly in her novice room with Nynaeve, Elayne, and Min, juggling balls of light and confronting her fears of the Power and her secret longing for Rand. She is shocked when Liandrin Sedai arrives and recruits her and Nynaeve for a secret mission to Toman Head. After Liandrin leaves, Elayne and Min independently declare their intent to join the mission, and Egwene internally resolves to help Rand however she can.
• Liandrin / Liandrin Sedai — Liandrin visits the novice quarters unannounced to inform Egwene and Nynaeve that their friends are in danger on Toman Head and that the Black Ajah exists within the Tower. She commands them to meet her at sunset to journey to Toman Head to assist the boys, warning them never to reveal her identity or the mission to anyone.
• Min — Min observes Egwene channeling and discusses the nature of Galad and the women of the Tower. She detects danger surrounding her friends and, after overhearing Liandrin's recruitment of Egwene and Nynaeve, insists on joining the mission to Toman Head, asserting that she is part of the Pattern's unfolding with them.
• Nynaeve (Accepted) — Nynaeve paces her room while Egwene channels, expressing her fear of the One Power's pull and her anger at an incident with another Accepted. She is recruited by Liandrin for the mission to Toman Head and reluctantly agrees, later managing the logistical details of their secret departure and accepting Elayne's inclusion in the group.
• Elayne (Daughter-Heir of Andor, Daughter-Heir) — Elayne enters Egwene's room to join the channeling practice and discusses the political rumors surrounding the death of King Galldrian and the status of Logain. After overhearing Liandrin's message, she demands to join the secret mission to Toman Head, threatening to expose the group if they try to exclude her, and convinces Min that she is linked to the danger.