Ailil Riatin
From A Wheel of Time Wiki
Ailil Riatin is a Cairhienin noblewoman, sister to Toram Riatin. She is tall for a Cairhienin, slender and pretty.
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[edit] Noble upbringing
Ailil grew up and prospered in House Riatin, and her cousin Galldrian Riatin ascended to the Sun Throne after the Aiel War, in 978 NE. She lived in comfort and relative obscurity until the Shaido Aiel came to Cairhien ahead of the Dragon Reborn. After his forces defeated the Shaido and took control of Cairhien, her family was no longer in the powerful place it once enjoyed. Her brother Toram became a rebel, aligned with Caraline Damodred and some Tairen High Lords in an encampment outside the city. She did not join him, presumably because she neither likes nor trusts him.
[edit] Assault on the Seanchan
During the preparations for the Rand's assault on the Seanchan, Rand al'Thor sent for numerous nobles whose loyalties were unclear to him. One of those summoned to him was Ailil Riatin, who protested loudly about being anywhere near the site of an actual battle. She brought her Lance-Captain with her, Denharad, who she said could do any and all fighting or leading into battle that was necessary. Rand was emphatic, however, and kept Ailil close by his side. At one point in the battle, Rand was knocked off his horse by an unseen Seanchan crossbow bolt, and Ailil discusses his fate - and theirs - with the High Lady Anaiyella of Tear. When Rand recovers, he notices her belt knife is out; whether she intended to kill him or defend him is never made clear.
[edit] Back to the Sun Palace
Once the offensive against the Seanchan is concluded, Rand arranges to have trusted servants in the Sun Palace keep an eye on Ailil and others of the untrustworthy nobles who returned with him.
[edit] With Shalon
Ailil begins to converse with a Windfinder named Shalon din Togara Morning Tide during the time she is a 'guest' in the Sun Palace, and these conversations develop into friendship, and then into the two of them becoming lovers. The relationship has to be kept secret because Shalon is married, but they are discovered together (quite by accident) by Rand shortly after the Asha'man assault on the Sun Palace. Unaware of what he has discovered, he shields Shalon and ties them up under their bed for their own safety, and for his. They are later discovered and held captive by Cadsuane Melaidhrin until they promise to help her. She and Verin Mathwin both know the true nature of their relationship, and are using it to hold the pair to their promise.
