____________________ //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ \\// \\// //\\ Entry #21 //\\ \\// \\// //\\//\\//\\//\\//\\ ____________________[Received after voting commenced.]
In Salidar, Nynaeve wakes from her forkroot induced sleep, to find Elayne Birgitte and Siuan anxiously watching her. Telling them about what she did to Moghedien, the four commence a quiet search for a woman who cannot be woken. Unsurprisingly, they discover Marigan's children, in a state of panic because their mother will not awaken. On the pretext of treating Marigan with her herbs, Nynaeve forces more forkroot tea down Marigan/Moghedien to buy them more time.
Meanwhile, Rand amasses the combined armies of Tear and Andor, leading them to believe that he is preparing to wage war on Illian. He receives word that the armies of Saldaea are marching to support him.
Back in Salidar, Elayne works feverishly throughout the night to make an a'dam. Just as the other Aes Sedai are beginning to get suspicious about Marigan/Moghedien, Elayne completes the task, and Nynaeve leashes Moghedien again. Although the Aes Sedai are disapproving and shocked, no one is willing to accept the responsibility of freeing a Forsaken.
Davram Bashere receives word from Saldaea that Queen Tenobia has been killed in a particularly savage attack. He immediately leaves Caemlyn for Saldaea. As fate would have it, he passes through the vicinity of the Two Rivers, where he meets up with Faile who was riding in the countryside. Faile refuses to return to Saldaea. Davram feels he has no choice, and forces her to return. This is viewed by wolves in the vicinity, who inform Lord Perrin. Perrin immediately begins the chase after the Bashere family, accompanied by a band of men from the Two Rivers.
Egwene continues her lessons under the Wise Ones. She feels restricted by the pace they are proceeding at, and yearns to go faster. Melaine senses her longings, and promises to show Egwene new things one night. Lured by the prospect of additional power and abilities, Egwene willingly follows Melaine into Tel'aran'rhiod. Too late, Egwene finds herself trapped by Melaine and the rest of the Black Ajah. Egwene finds herself turned to the shadow.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, Perrin joins the party heading to Saldaea. He takes up fighting Trollocs in Saldaea, protecting the country of his wife. Before long, however, the pull of the ta'veren gets too strong, and he feels himself drawn back to Rand.
Acting even more secretive than usual, Thom prepares to leave. Mat discovers Thom leaving, and again attempts to leave Rand. This time, however, he finds that the pattern lets him go. Thom and Mat head towards Ghealdean and the Mountains of Mist, with Thom refusing to explain why he is headed there.
Now driven by the shadow, Egwene travels to Salidar, to join up with the Aes Sedai splinter group. There, she reveals her full power, and her plans to challenge Elaida for the role of Amrylin Seat. With her plans to retake the White Tower, she gains the support of the Aes Sedai and is elected leader of the splinter group. In the meantime, Morgase's party had stumbled on Salidar. The reunion between Morgase, Elayne and Gareth Byrne is played out quietly. With Gareth Byrne leading the remains of the army, the group leave Salidar for an assault on the White Tower.
Fearing the power of Nynaeve and Elayne, Egwene arranges for her companion of the dark to have them kidnapped and delivered to the Lady Suroth. Moghedien is freed in the kidnap and vanishes. Nynaeve and Elayne are leashed and shipped to the land of the Seanchan. Next submission, previous submission, Table of contents.