Chapter 5 - Writings
Summary
Gawyn Trakand and his Warder Sleete investigate the murder scene of Kateri Nepvue, discovering a forced lock and black silk fibers that lead them to suspect an assassin rather than Black Ajah members. After disarming Captain Chubain's hostility through flattery, Gawyn confronts Amyrlin Egwene about the killings and his desire to bond her. She reveals that Mesaana is the killer hiding among the sisters and instructs him to stop guarding her door so she can use herself as bait. Meanwhile, Graendal meets Moridin in his hidden palace, justifying Aran'gar's death as a psychological blow to al'Thor. Moridin grants her a dreamspike and reveals a prophecy foretelling Perrin Aybara's death, binding her to the task of killing him under his absolute control.
Characters
- Gawyn / Gawyn Trakand (Lord Trakand) — Inspects a murder scene with Sleete and Chubain, deduces an assassin rather than Black Ajah based on forced locks and lack of channeling signs. Confronts Egwene about the killings and his desire to bond her, learning Mesaana is the killer and that she plans to use herself as bait.
- Sleete — Examines the murder scene alongside Gawyn, discovers a forced deadbolt and black silk fibers, and helps deduce that the killer uses knives rather than the One Power to avoid detection.
- Chubain (Captain) — Initially hostile toward Gawyn's presence at the crime scene but softens after Gawyn flatters him and claims his only goal is to become Egwene's Warder. Agrees to investigate palace servants for clues regarding the murders.
- Egwene (Amyrlin) — Reveals to Gawyn that Mesaana is the assassin hiding among the sisters and asks him to stop guarding her door so she can lure the Forsaken into an ambush. Reflects on her conflicting emotions toward him while drafting plans to counter Rand's threat and address the Warder shortage.
- Silviana (Keeper) — Monitors visitors outside Egwene's study, denies Gawyn immediate entry, and watches him with disapproval as he leaves the antechamber.
- Graendal — Meets Moridin in his hidden palace and defends her role in Aran'gar's death by claiming it psychologically damaged al'Thor. Receives a dreamspike and a prophecy foretelling Perrin Aybara's death, binding herself to the task of killing him under Moridin's strict control.
- Moridin (Nae'blis, Great Lord) — Reprimands Graendal for losing Aran'gar but accepts her justification regarding al'Thor's psychological state. Grants her a dreamspike and reveals a prophecy that Perrin will die by their hand, asserting his absolute dominance over her and the object.
- Kateri Nepvue (Sister) — Mentioned as the fourth Aes Sedai victim of the recent string of murders, killed in her room without a Warder present.
- Hattori (Aes Sedai, Green) — Mentioned as a Green sister who rarely has duties for Gawyn and continues to watch him for potential bonding.
- Morgase Trakand — Referenced by Gawyn as his mother and a former influential ruler of Andor, whose memory he avoids to prevent thoughts of al'Thor.
- al'Thor / Rand / Lews Therin (Dragon Reborn) — Referenced by Gawyn with lingering hatred and by Graendal as the target of psychological warfare after destroying Natrin's Barrow with balefire.
- Aran'gar / Arangar (Forsaken) — Mentioned as dead after being killed by al'Thor's balefire at Natrin's Barrow, a loss Moridin attributes to Graendal's negligence.
- Perrin / Perrin Aybara / Aybara — Referenced in prophecies and plans as the target of Graendal's new mission, with Moridin revealing a Foretelling that he will die by their hand.