— from Commentaries on the Karaethon Cycle
Sereine dar Shamelle Motara
Counsel-Sister to Comaelle,
High Queen of Jaramide
- For other uses of the word "shadow," see Shadow.
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| <<< Seeds of Shadow >>> |
| Setting: White Tower, Two Rivers, Cantorin |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Min Farshaw Setting: White Tower
Min Farshaw, wearing a dress as a disguise with a hooded cloak over top, approaches the White Tower afraid someone will recognize her. She has just ridden from the Mountains of Mist on orders of Moiraine Sedai to tell Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat, of what had happened at Falme and after.[1] Moiraine instructed her to avoid identification by anyone except the Amyrlin and she knows that the wrong Aes Sedai seeing her could spell doom for everything.
"I wonder if Moiraine thinks I came just because she asked me? The Light help me, acting like a fool girl. Doing fool things because of a fool man!" —Min
Min enters the White Tower and finds herself in the entry hall along with other women and men waiting for someone to answer their questions. There are far more women than men, because men generally do not wish to be associated with Aes Sedai lest they be mistaken for a male channeler. After a slight wait, the Accepted Faolain asks Min, "How may the Tower help you?" Min is relieved to see that Faolain does not recognize her as they had met briefly before, but she still lowers her face and says that she has a question for the Amyrlin Seat when three Aes Sedai enter the chamber. Min has a viewing of them that she understands, seeing that they'll all die on the same day.[2] Faolain tells her that the Amyrlin can't see everyone, but Min invokes the right of any woman to speak to the Amyrlin. Faolain says she will ask if the Amyrlin can see her and asks Min her name. Min gives her full name, Elmindreda; she hopes the Amyrlin remembers her formal name. Faolain is certain that Min will just be told to wait for the Amyrlin's next public audience.
While waiting for a response, Min has other viewings.
- Bars floating in front of an Accepted, like a cage
- Sheriam Bayanar, the Mistress of Novices, appeared with a face battered and bruised.[3]
- A smiling Sister of the Brown Ajah with a fading aura, like a guttering candle
- Death, wounds, captivity
Sahra Covenry, a novice, guides her to the Amyrlin's Study. Min witnesses more death and violence during the walk.
- Warders with wildly flashing auras; dead men walking, and she knew that they would die on the same day as the three Aes Sedai earlier. [4]
- An Aes Sedai wearing a silver bracelet[5][6][7]
"That is my duty since the day she was born. My blood shed before hers; my life given before hers. I took that oath when I could barely see over the side of her cradle." —Gawyn
Her plot to conceal her identity works, until Gawyn Trakand recognizes her and accosts her about his missing sister. Min is shocked that her friends Elayne Trakand, Nynaeve al'Meara and Egwene al'Vere are not at the Tower. Gawyn says that they arrived at the Tower safely, but have been sent out again on a supposed penance on a farm but he cannot find out where. She has yet another vision, this of Gawyn with streaks of dried blood making his face a grim mask, and knows that he will be hurt on the same day as the Aes Sedai. Gawyn will also be hurt in a deeper way than his physical wounds.[8] Min is deeply troubled that the three Accepted are out of the Tower again and realizes the Tower troubles foretold by her visions will likely mean trouble for her friends as well.
They argue about whether his motives count as interference or duty before Min recalls her original mission, giving Gawyn a cryptic warning about being careful before walking to the Amyrlin's Study. She witnesses one more vision before leaving him, a sword floating above his head, and a banner waved behind it. The long-hilted sword, like those most Warders used, had a heron engraved on its slightly curved blade, symbol of a blademaster...[2] the banner bore Gawyn's sigil of the charging White Boar, but on a field of green rather than the red of Andor.[9] Both sword and banner faded with the blood. Gawyn tells Min that he will be in the practice yard until sunset and hopes she will meet him there to speak further later.
Min finally reaches the Keeper, who instantly recognizes her and sends her in to the Amyrlin. Min wanted to hide from Leane Sharif too as Moiraine instructed, but Leane does not question her despite the recognition. Leane does not know why Siuan is interested in Min. Min is shocked to view both Leane and Siuan in pain. She tells Siuan of the various visions she's had, including the future death of four Aes Sedai within a day of each other. Siuan immediately plans a way to keep Gawyn and Sahra busy.[10] Min tries to rationalize her fears but doesn't even believe her own logic of Whitecloaks attacking the Tower, but admits that the silver collar can mean none other than the Seanchan attacking the White Tower.
The Amyrlin dismisses her theories, surmising that the attack will come from the Black Ajah. After scaring Min by admitting the existing of a secret Ajah of Aes Sedai that support the Dark One, the Amyrlin demands news of the Dragon and is very displeased at the news that Rand al'Thor is on his way to Tear for Callandor.[11] Siuan says there is no way Rand is ready to take the sword and blames Moiraine, but Min says it is not her fault; Rand left in the night without telling anyone. Siuan admits that she and Moiraine are trying to control Rand to protect him from those who would kill him and prepare him for what must come. Siuan realizes Min is in love with Rand which Min tries to deny to little effect. Min finally admits that she had a viewing that said that she and two other women would fall in love with him, but the viewing did not say whether the love would be reciprocated.
Min wants to leave so she can go to Tear to find Rand, but Siuan argues that staying near Rand will be very dangerous for her and it would be better for her to remain in the Tower. Min points out that everyone knows she is connected to Egwene and Nynaeve who are from Rand's village, and once word gets out that Rand can channel, the Red Ajah will seize her. Siuan agrees and says that she will have to change her appearance and behavior and be a completely different woman under her full name of Elmindreda. Min's talent will help Siuan root out the Black Ajah and she is one of the few Siuan can trust. Min suspects that Siuan sent Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve after the Black Ajah but Siuan only tells her to remind her own business. Continuing, Siuan points out that if the Black Ajah brings her or the Tower down, Rand will get no help from the Aes Sedai. Min realizes she must agree to stay and help where she can and wails in despair.
- Point of view: Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan Setting: White Tower, Outside the Amyrlin's Study
Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan postulates angrily while spying at the Amyrlin's Study. She questions Sahra as the novice rushes by and dismisses her in an instant. Elaida saw through Min's disguise and recalls her connection to the missing Accepted, especially Elayne. Elaida believes in her bones that Elayne is somehow important to the Last Battle because of her Foretelling that the royal line of Andor would be the key to defeating the Dark One.[12] She maneuvered herself into becoming advisor to Queen Morgase Trakand because of this; had she not done so, she might have become Amyrlin herself instead of Siuan. She is furious at Siuan over Elayne's continued disappearance. She remembers that the other two missing Accepted came from Rand's village and Min was friends with them. She remembers her Foretelling at the Royal Court of Andor that Rand would be at the heart of future strife for Andor and possibly more.[13] She remembers Moiraine spiriting Rand away, Rand with two other ta'veren, Perrin Aybara and Matrim Cauthon. Siuan and Moiraine had once been the best of friends, but after their time as Accepted they quickly distanced themselves from each other and their friendship is now largely forgotten by most Aes Sedai, but not her. She becomes convinced that Rand will cause chaos and trouble for Andor and Siuan and Moiraine must be helping him. She resolves to stop Siuan at all costs, to stop Rand al'Thor from destroying Andor. Alviarin Freidhen interrupts her wild musings. Elaida invites the White Sister for a walk and tells her the theory she's surmised against Siuan, gaining an ally.
- Point of view: Dain Bornhald Setting: North of Taren Ferry, Two Rivers
"We will scour the Two Rivers. We will flog them, and flay them, and sear their souls! I promised him! He'll come to me, now! He will come!" —Ordeith
Dain Bornhald leads a half-legion of Children of the Light into the Two Rivers, obeying his mysterious orders from the Lord Captain Commander, Pedron Niall. He is on the north bank of the River Taren across from the village of Taren Ferry, which is the main way in or out of the region. The river cannot be forded elsewhere and journeying over the Mountains of Mist would be treacherous. He thinks of his father, now dead at the hands of Darkfriends from these lands.[14] The villagers at Taren Ferry say they are not Darkfriends and claim the Darkfriends must be in the villages to the south. Bornhald confronts Ordeith, whose name means wormwood in the Old Tongue, upon learning that some Tinkers he interrogated are now missing. Dain expresses concern about being tied to a madman but the anger over his father's murder - and the vengeance he thirsts for - outweighs his concern.
- Point of view: Suroth Sabelle Meldarath Setting: Cantorin
The High Lady Suroth Sabelle Meldarath has rallied the remaining Seanchan forces to the Sea Folk island of Cantorin after High Lord Turak Aladon's debacle at Falme. Suroth now leads the Hailene. The Sea Folk of the islands have all been captured. She may not have to return to the Court of the Nine Moons and apologize to the Empress after all. To avoid that, she must deal with this man who claims to be the Dragon Reborn so she can retake the Westlands. If she cannot deal with him, the Empress will be the least of her worries.
Suroth enters a room where two sul'dam wait with a damane. One of the sul'dam, Alwhin, has been raised to so'jhin, a high level servant, and now shaves the left side of her head. No sul'dam has ever been raised to so'jhin, but she knows too much. Suroth is uneasy. She no longer trusts sul'dam since finding out that they can learn to channel. The other sul'dam, Taisa, holds the leash on the damane, Pura, who used to be Aes Sedai. Suroth questions Pura about how the White Tower controls the man claiming to be the Dragon Reborn, but Pura only says that the Tower would not control a false Dragon. Suroth knows from Falme that the man can channel, and channel very powerfully. Suroth considers whether he truly is the Dragon Reborn given his power. Suroth presses Pura, saying that the Seanchan soldiers had fought female channelers at Falme, who must have been Aes Sedai, so Aes Sedai must be aiding the man. Pura insists that she does not know what the Aes Sedai have to do with him. She says she has learned how to obey and begs Suroth not to punish her. While she is begging, Pura almost touches Suroth, so Alwhin orders Taisa to punish Pura then report herself to Surela for punishment. Suroth wishes she had the other captured Aes Sedai to question but she does not know what became of her. Pura was unable to tell simple lies, but Suroth still doubts that Aes Sedai cannot lie.
Suroth dismisses Alwhin, but Alwhin is slow to respond; she is not well trained as so'jhin. Suroth says to herself that the worst news (that sul'dam can learn to channel) is known only by four, and two will surely never speak of it. Suroth considers killing the other three who know of it, but Alwhin overhears and implies that Suroth would not survive the wrath from the Empress should she find out that Suroth attempted to withhold this information from her.[15] Suroth dismisses Alwhin again and thinks about what she must accomplish. When she captures this Dragon, false or not, should she give him to the Empress?
Characters[]
- Min Farshaw
- Faolain Orande
- Ananda
- Sheriam Bayanar
- Sahra Covenry
- Gawyn Trakand
- Leane Sharif
- Siuan Sanche
- Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan
- Alviarin Freidhen
- Dain Bornhald
- Jaret Byar
- Ivon
- Farran
- Padan Fain - as Ordeith
- Suroth Sabelle Meldarath
- Alwhin
- Taisa
- Pura
Referenced[]
- Moiraine Damodred
- Lews Therin Telamon
- Rand al'Thor
- Morgase Trakand
- Elayne Trakand
- Egwene al'Vere
- Nynaeve al'Meara
- Verin Mathwin
- Gareth Bryne
- Galad Damodred
- Hammar
- Eamon Valda
- Pedron Niall
- Artur Hawkwing
- Gitara Moroso
- Perrin Aybara
- Mat Cauthon
- Geofram Bornhald - as Dain's father
- Lucellin
- Radhanan Paendrag - as Empress of Seanchan
- Turak Aladon
- Surela
- Sheraine Caminelle - as the other captured Aes Sedai
- Luthair Paendrag Mondwin
Groups[]
Referenced[]
Places[]
Referenced[]
- Arafel
- Ghealdan
- Illian
- Saldaea
- Shayol Ghul
- Kandor
- Andor
- Tarabon
- Arad Doman
- Tear
- Shienar
- Aiel Waste
- Caralain Grass
- River Luan
- Jualdhe
- Darein
- Alindaer
- Mountains of Mist
- Aryth Ocean
- Almoth Plain
- Emond's Field
- Caemlyn
- Falme
- Toman Head
Events[]
Referenced[]
- The Tower Coup
- Fall of Falme
Items[]
Referenced[]
Concepts[]
One Power[]
Culture[]
Quotes[]
— Seanchan saying
— Old proverb
Notes
- ↑ The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 6
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Shadow Rising, Chapter 47
- ↑ The Path of Daggers, Chapter 16
- ↑ White Tower Coup
- ↑ Battle of Tar Valon
- ↑ The Gathering Storm, Chapter 40
- ↑ The Gathering Storm, Chapter 41
- ↑ Gawyn & The Tower Schism
- ↑ The Younglings
- ↑ The Shadow Rising, Chapter 17
- ↑ The Dragon Reborn, Chapter 55
- ↑ Elaida's Foretelling
- ↑ The Eye of the World, Chapter 40
- ↑ The Great Hunt, Chapter 47
- ↑ Alwhin is one of the three who know; the other two are Renna and Seta, the two sul'dam leashed by Egwene, Nynaeve and Elayne at Falme. (The Great Hunt, Chapter 46)