Chapter 5 - Questioners

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, and Aviendha interrogate the Black Ajah prisoners Joiya Byir and Amico Nagoyin in a tiled room within the Stone of Tear while waiting for Moiraine's return. Joiya claims that Liandrin intends to free Mazrim Taim to pose as the Dragon Reborn and destroy Rand, while Amico repeats rumors of a dangerous artifact in Tanchico that can bind channelers. Nynaeve lectures on the nature of stilling, and Egwene realizes the discrepancy in Amico's appearance may be due to her stilling. The session ends abruptly with the arrival of Moiraine, who is visibly furious, followed by a contemplative Elayne.

Characters

• Egwene (Accepted) — Egwene leads the interrogation of the Black Ajah prisoners, weaving shields and Air binds to restrain Joiya and Amico. She questions their tales of Liandrin's plots against Rand, internally debating the validity of Joiya's claim about Mazrim Taim versus Amico's rumors, and reflects on the growing difficulty of deceiving Aviendha regarding her true status as an Accepted.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve questions the prisoners with skepticism, particularly rejecting Joiya's story as a lie. She engages in a power struggle with Egwene regarding authority and lectures Aviendha on the irreversibility of stilling, adopting an Aes Sedai-like lecturing tone to assert dominance.
• Joiya (Black Ajah, Gray Ajah) — Joiya Byir, bound by Air and shielded from the True Source, calmly recounts a plan by Liandrin to free Mazrim Taim and use him as a false Dragon Reborn to destroy Rand al'Thor through public blame. She claims to have repented her sins and expresses confidence that the Dark One will ultimately prevail.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai) — Moiraine bursts into the room alongside Elayne, her usual serenity completely replaced by visible fury.