Chapter 33 - A Good Soup

Summary

In the Amyrlin's study, Egwene al'Vere, Siuan Sanche, and Nynaeve al'Meara share a meal while discussing Rand al'Thor's cleansing of saidin and the implications for Aes Sedai-Asha'man bonding. Egwene outlines her plan to lure Mesaana out of hiding by using dream ter'angreal and arranging decoy meetings with Windfinders and Wise Ones in Tel'aran'rhiod, despite Nynaeve's concerns about her safety. Meanwhile, Perrin Aybara battles through shifting nightmares in the wolf dream, mastering his entry and exit while Hopper observes his progress and notes wolves migrating north toward the Blight. In Caemlyn, Elayne al'Vere walks with Gawyn Trakand in the Rose March, rowing on a pond as she addresses his lingering guilt over Andor's siege and releases him from court duties to focus on Egwene. Afterward, Gawyn encounters Kinswoman Dimana and former Seanchan captives Marille and Kaisea, who identify an assassin's knife he carries as a Bloodknife wielded by suicide troops enhanced with ter'angreal. Realizing the weapon targets Egwene, Gawyn sends a warning to Tar Valon but resolves to remain in Caemlyn out of anger at her recent letter.

Characters

• Egwene al'Vere / Egwene (Amyrlin, Mother) — Discusses Rand's cleansing of saidin and outlines a plan to trap Mesaana using dream ter'angreal and decoy meetings with Windfinders, insisting on her direct involvement despite Nynaeve's concerns.
• Siuan Sanche / Siuan — Eats soup with the Amyrlin and Nynaeve, confirms she has contacted the Windfinders for the dream trap, and suggests involving Aiel dreamwalkers to protect Egwene.
• Nynaeve al'Meara / Nynaeve — Reflects on her new status as an Aes Sedai, questions Rand's approval of Asha'man bonding women, and voices concern over Egwene's safety in the upcoming Mesaana trap.
• Perrin Aybara / Perrin (Young Bull) — Battles through shifting nightmares in the wolf dream, learns to control his entry by focusing on reality, and notes wolves migrating north toward the Blight while Hopper observes his progress.
• Hopper — Observes Perrin's growing strength in the wolf dream, warns him about Slayer's capabilities, and remains behind as other wolves run north to join the Last Hunt.
• Elayne al'Vere / Elayne (Queen) — Walks with Gawyn in Caemlyn's gardens, addresses his guilt over Andor's siege, releases him from court duties, and advises him to support Egwene despite their strained relationship.
• Gawyn Trakand / Gawyn (Lord Trakand) — Discusses his past and current feelings with Elayne, encounters Seanchan captives who identify an assassin's knife as a Bloodknife, sends a warning to Egwene about the threat, and refuses to return to Tar Valon out of anger at her letter.
• Dimana — Leads two former Seanchan captives through Caemlyn's gardens, explains their background as Kinswomen and a sul'dam, and warns Gawyn about the unreliable nature of Kaisea's knowledge.
• Marille — Former damane who struggles with her new freedom, identifies Gawyn's knife as a Bloodknife used by Seanchan suicide troops, and repeatedly apologizes for her speech patterns.
• Kaisea — Sul'dam who prostrates herself to Gawyn, explains that Bloodknives are enhanced warriors who die from their own poison after fulfilling their duty, and advises him to hide until the assassin's month-long lifespan expires.