Chapter 46 - Working Leather

Summary

Androl Genhald works meticulously on a leather armguard in his Black Tower workshop, finding solace in creation while reflecting on the absence of saidin's taint and his own relative weakness. He walks through the village, interacts with children, and inspects soldiers digging a canal before heading to the practice range. There, he reunites with loyalists Nalaam, Canler, Jonneth Dowtry, and Emarin, who express growing anxiety over Logain's disappearance and Taim's accelerating influence. When Coteren mocks Androl's channeling and forces him to perform a weave, the loyalists nearly clash with Taim's faction but Androl talks them down. The group decides to secretly investigate suspicious rapid promotions and rumors to gather evidence for their absent leader.

Characters

• Androl / Genhald (Dedicated) — Crafts a leather armguard with meticulous stitching while reflecting on the peace of creation versus destruction. Demonstrates his unique gateway talent to cut straps and later uses it to shave canal sides for soldiers. Mediates a brewing conflict between Logain's loyalists and Taim's followers, ultimately agreeing to investigate strange rapid promotions and rumors to take to their absent leader.
• Coteren (Full Asha'man) — Confronts Androl at the practice range, mocking weak channeling and forcing a destructive weave. Leads Taim's faction in taunting Logain's supporters, relying on authority and numbers to intimidate them into submission.
• Nalaam — Engages in lighthearted banter about his father's spy work before growing concerned over the Tower's political split. Voices fears about Taim's accelerated training methods and the arrival of Aes Sedai, ultimately joining Androl's secret investigation into suspicious activities.
• Canler — Listens to Nalaam's stories with skepticism but shares in the group's growing anxiety about Logain's disappearance and Taim's influence. Briefly entertains doubts about Rand's leadership before reaffirming trust after Emarin speaks, then agrees to help gather evidence against the M'Hael.
• Jonneth / Dowtry — Receives a newly crafted leather armguard and demonstrates exceptional archery skill with a Two Rivers bow. Joins the group's discussion on Tower politics, noting that rumors about Rand's madness are being spread by Taim's men to isolate Logain's followers.
• Emarin — Observes Nalaam's storytelling and praises Androl's meticulous nature. Voices concern over the Tower's division and the denial of promotions to Logain's loyalists, then reassures companions by sharing trust in Rand al'Thor after a brief personal meeting.
• Logain — Remains absent from the Black Tower, having departed secretly with three powerful Dedicated. Loyalists look to him for leadership and plan to deliver evidence of Taim's misconduct directly to him or Rand al'Thor upon his return.
• Taim (M'Hael) — Orchestrates a growing schism within the Black Tower by favoring certain followers and accelerating their training through private lessons. Allows Aes Sedai to bond Asha'man while manipulating newcomers with rumors that isolate Logain's faction.