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Chapter 20 - A Choice

Summary

Nynaeve al'Meara undergoes her formal raising test within the White Tower's dungeons, where a ter'angreal forces her through a hundred shifting trials that demand absolute composure and strict adherence to arbitrary rules. The visions manipulate her environment to present moral dilemmas, compelling her to leave dying children and besieged loved ones behind while she completes required weaves. Breaking protocol to save Perrin Aybara and Lan Mandragoran from Darkhounds in Malkier, Nynaeve channels prematurely and uses balefire, ultimately collapsing after the final weave. The Sitters debate her performance, with Barasine declaring her failure due to lost composure and rule-breaking, while Egwene al'Vere defends her actions as necessary compassion. After a tense deliberation, Saerin casts the deciding vote in Nynaeve's favor, granting her narrow passage. Immediately afterward, Nynaeve travels to the Black Tower camp outside Tar Valon and forces Myrelle to transfer Lan's bond to her, securing their connection before preparing for her formal shawl ceremony.

Characters

  • Nynaeve / Nynaeve al'Meara (Aes Sedai, child) — Undergoes a brutal ter'angreal raising test that forces her to choose between rigid Tower protocol and saving lives, ultimately breaking rules to channel prematurely and use balefire. She argues that institutional devotion should not override compassion, secures Lan's bond from Myrelle immediately after passing, and realizes her identity remains tied to him rather than the White Tower.
  • Rosil (Mistress of Novices, Yellow sister) — Guides Nynaeve into the testing chamber and administers the initial instructions before collapsing from the ter'angreal's strain. She later retrieves a blanket for Nynaeve, announces the conclusion of the test, and enforces silence regarding its contents.
  • Saerin / Saerin al'Vere (Brown Sitter) — Weaves Spirit to initiate the test and later voices furious outrage at the Sitters for subjecting Nynaeve to vengeful cruelty. She casts the deciding vote in Nynaeve's favor after debating the use of balefire and the necessity of trusting her judgment.
  • Yukiri (Gray Sitter) — Observes the test proceedings and ultimately votes to raise Nynaeve despite the infractions committed during the trials.
  • Barasine (Red Sitter) — Declares Nynaeve's failure based on a lack of proper decorum and composure, arguing that the test demands dedication to a higher good over immediate distractions. She insists Nynaeve swear never to use balefire again.
  • Romanda (Yellow Sitter) — Insists on participating in the raising ceremony and ultimately votes against Nynaeve's elevation during the Sitters' deliberation.
  • Egwene / Egwene al'Vere (Amyrlin) — Participates in creating the test visions, particularly crafting the scenarios involving Perrin and Lan to force a moral choice. She defends Nynaeve's actions to the Sitters and privately acknowledges that the testing was unnecessarily harsh.
  • Lelaine (Blue Sitter) — Agrees with Barasine's assessment of failure and votes against raising Nynaeve during the final deliberation.
  • Rubinde — Defends the severity of the test as proper procedure and votes against Nynaeve, expressing incredulity at her claim to travel to Shayol Ghul.
  • Seaine — Notes Nynaeve's growing fury and rule-breaking but acknowledges her skill, ultimately casting the deciding vote in her favor after debating the balefire prohibition.
  • Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Appears within Nynaeve's test vision fighting Shadowspawn alongside other Two Rivers figures before being dragged into darkness by a tentacled monster, highlighting her fear of abandoning loved ones.
  • Lan / Lan Mandragoran (King of Malkier) — Fights an entire pack of Darkhounds in the ruined landscape of Malkier during Nynaeve's final trial, sustaining a broken leg before she heals him and they escape together through a doorway.
  • Master al'Vere — Holds a sword alongside other Two Rivers residents in Nynaeve's vision, standing ready to defend against approaching Shadowspawn.
  • Mistress al'Donel — Stands beside Master al'Vere and Perrin in the test vision, armed and prepared for battle against the encroaching enemy.
  • Aerie / Aerie Botteger — Appears in Nynaeve's vision holding a weapon before being snatched by a tentacled monster while Perrin attempts to rescue her.
  • Myrelle (Blue sister) — Initially refuses to see Nynaeve late at night but reluctantly transfers Lan's bond after Nynaeve threatens her. She weaves Spirit to complete the transfer and returns to her tent.