Lord of Chaos: Chapter 48

Leaning on the Knife

Author: Asandra al'Terra

Characters: Nynaeve, Elayne, Tylin, Birgitte, Aviendha

Setting: The Palace in Ebou Dar

Point of view: Nynaeve

Nynaeve - trying to calm herself; Elayne - irritated because Thom and Juilin have rooms in the servants' quarters; Birgitte, and Aviendha all have rooms that share a common sitting room in the Tarasin Palace. They had been introduced to Merilille, an Aes Sedai of the Gray - as Aes Sedai, but then dismissed like Accepted. It seems that Adeleas and Vandene are looking for runaways from the Tower - although the former Accepted in the sitting room cannot puzzle out why exactly here - while Nynaeve and company focus on the weather ter'angreal. They decide that they will purchase dresses of Ebou Dari cut to blend in, so they can search better.

At that moment, a servant enters, saying the Queen wishes to see the three Aes Sedai; Elayne says that there are only two there, but she and Nynaeve go, while Birgitte and Aviendha go to scout the city. As the two Aes Sedai are led to the Queen, Nynaeve sees Jaichim Carridin; it turns out that the Whitecloaks had sent an embassy, too; months ago.

When they arrive to meet the Queen - who is sceptical that they are Aes Sedai - she tells them to 'lean back on their knives and let their tongues go free.' They speak first of the Whitecloaks - Tylin needs much aid because she wants her son to have the throne after her - then Elayne speaks of their search for the ter'angreal. The Queen says that she hopes they will not change; her previous advisor, Cavandra, who had returned to the Tower, had been as good to speak with. They then speak of the best way to search the Rahad - where, from Elayne's description, the Queen says the ter'angreal is - and stay safe. As Elayne and Nynaeve leave, on their way back to their apartments, Elayne makes a wager with Nynaeve that it will take ten days to find the ter'angreal.

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