Chapter 27 - A Call to Stand

Summary

Egwene al'Vere reads a letter from King Darlin Sisnera of Tear expressing loyalty to Rand but concern over breaking the seals and the Seanchan threat, prompting her to draft a response guaranteeing defensive gateways while insisting he bring his full army to the Field of Merrilor. She realizes she is using Rand's proclamation to gather monarchs against him, then receives news of the Trolloc invasion and learns the Hall is meeting without her. In the Hall, she manipulates the Sitters into voting for a motion that grants them control over the army while leaving her authority over monarchs, then forces new Tower laws to prevent secret meetings before sending Accepted Nicola and Nissa on a mission to spread rumors of an important gathering to lure out the Black Ajah assassin.

Characters

• Egwene / Egwene al'Vere (Amyrlin, Mother) — Reads Darlin Sisnera's letter and drafts a response guaranteeing gateways for Tear's defense while insisting he bring his full army to the Field of Merrilor. She realizes she is using Rand's proclamation to gather monarchs against him, then receives news of the Trolloc invasion and learns the Hall is meeting without her. In the Hall, she manipulates the Sitters into voting for a motion that grants them control over the army while leaving her authority over monarchs, then forces new Tower laws to prevent secret meetings before sending Accepted Nicola and Nissa on a mission to spread rumors of an important gathering to lure out the Black Ajah assassin.
• Darlin / Darlin Sisnera (High Lord, King of Tear beneath the rule of the Dragon Reborn Randal'Thor, King Darlin) — Writes a bold letter to Egwene expressing loyalty to Rand but concern over breaking the seals and the Seanchan threat, promising troops only if provided with gateways for immediate defense. His written words force Egwene to draft a firm reply guaranteeing those gateways while insisting he bring his full army to the meeting.
• Gregorin / Gregorin den Lushenos — Receives a firm letter from Egwene promising gateways for defense, though he remains hesitant to support her cause due to intimidation by Rand and the immediate Seanchan threat.
• Mattin / Mattin Stepaneos — Remains in Tar Valon under Egwene's indirect custody, too afraid to return to Illian due to its perceived alignment with Rand, prompting Egwene to consider keeping him away as leverage.
• Silviana / Silviana Sanche (Keeper, Keeper of the Chronicles) — Brings news of the Trolloc invasion and later accompanies Egwene to the Hall, announcing her presence. Afterward, she questions Egwene's decision to cede army control but acknowledges the strategic victory of closing the secret meeting loophole.
• Siuan / Siuan Sanche — Summoned by Egwene for intelligence regarding the invasion, though her Blue network's reach is noted as limited compared to the broader situation.
• Nicola (Accepted) — Recently raised from novices alongside Nissa, she brings news of the Hall meeting and later receives orders to travel to Caemlyn under the guise of ter'angreal training to spread rumors that will lure out a hidden assassin.
• Nissa (Accepted) — Recently raised alongside Nicola, she accompanies her to the Hall meeting and later joins the mission to Caemlyn to help establish rumors of an important upcoming gathering.
• Romanda / Romanda Yaswyg (Red Sitter) — Leads the secret Hall meeting, citing wartime provisions to propose limiting Amyrlin power and managing General Bryne's armies. She reluctantly agrees to Egwene's counter-proposal for new Tower laws after being outmaneuvered.
• Lelaine / Lelaine Albamar (Blue Sitter) — Attends the secret meeting and initially supports limiting Amyrlin authority over the army, but ultimately stands for Egwene's motion granting her control over monarchs while the Hall handles military logistics.
• Rubinde (White Sitter) — Testifies against Egwene during the secret meeting, arguing that wartime provisions grant the Amyrlin excessive power, then stands for the motion to limit her authority before sitting back down when the vote shifts.
• Saroiya / Saroiya Rohenar (White Sitter) — Studies Egwene closely during the meeting, suddenly realizes the motion grants the Amyrlin sole responsibility for dealing with the Dragon Reborn, and cries out in protest before the vote concludes.
• Magia — Asks what prudent measures can be taken to limit the Hall's power during wartime, then stands for the motion granting the Hall authority over the army while leaving monarch relations to the Amyrlin.
• Varilin — Questions whether an official war declaration is necessary given existing oaths and circumstances, contributing to the debate on limiting Amyrlin power before standing for the final motion.
• Takima (Brown Sitter) — Hesitantly notes that war against the Shadow is already declared by their very existence, then appears deeply disturbed while sorting through Egwene's plan during the vote.
• Andaya — Asks how to send a message of dissent without sounding ridiculous, prompting silence before Egwene addresses the Hall's wisdom and proposes new laws.
• Raechin / Raechin Connoral (Red Sitter) — Points out that the proposed provision requires Amyrlin assent, then stands for the motion granting the Hall control over the army while leaving monarch dealings to Egwene.
• Barasine — Watches Egwene with narrowed eyes during the vote, observing the shifting political dynamics before standing for the final motion.
• Ferane — Rises slowly to stand for the motion granting the Hall authority over the army while leaving the Amyrlin in charge of monarchs.
• Faiselle (Green Sitter) — Stands alongside Rubinde and Farnah to support the motion limiting Amyrlin power during wartime before sitting back down when Egwene counters with new laws.
• Farnah (Green Sitter) — Rises with the Greens to vote for the motion granting the Hall control over military logistics while leaving diplomatic authority with the Amyrlin.
• Doesine — Arrives late with Yukiri, immediately stands for the motion after Saerin's prompt, effectively securing the necessary consensus for Egwene's plan.
• Yukiri / Yukiri Aramae — Enters with Doesine, confirms support for the motion, and helps establish the lesser consensus that allows Egwene to push through her political maneuver.
• Saerin / Saerin Bashere (Keeper of the Chronicles) — Bustles into the Hall with Janya Frende, announces Egwene's arrival, and later dryly notes that the Sitters have effectively trapped themselves with their own vote before acknowledging Egwene's new proposals.
• Janya / Janya Frende — Enters the Hall alongside Saerin, shoots Takima a withering glance, and supports the motion that ultimately shifts authority to the Amyrlin over monarchs.
• Gawyn / Gawyn Trakand — Has left Tar Valon without permission, prompting Egwene to order his immediate return as she anticipates needing him in the coming days.
• Rand / Rand al'Thor / Randal'Thor (Lord Dragon, Dragon Reborn) — His proclamation serves as a political beacon that Egwene exploits to gather monarchs, while the secret meeting's vote inadvertently grants her sole authority over dealing with him.
• Bryne / General Bryne — Commanded by the Hall's new motion to have his supply requests and recruitment schemes approved by Sitters, shifting military logistics away from direct Amyrlin oversight.
• Rosil — Referenced as an authority figure who has been lenient with Egwene regarding Accepted training, though she will not permit them to face actual danger in the World of Dreams.