The Shadow Rising: Chapter 19
Template:Next Author: Estyrien al'Halien
Chapter Icon: Two gulls, wings outspread, facing each other
Point of View: Elayne
Setting: The Wavedancer, Tear
Characters: Elayne, Nynaeve, Tairen servant, Coine din Jubai Wild Winds, Jorin din Jubai White Wing, Toram and Dorele
Summary
Elayne and Nynaeve arrive at the docks after a rough ride in the carriage, "How did you manage to find every last rut and hole between here and the Stone?" The carriage has no sigil or house colours as no Tairen lord wants to be associated with Aes Sedai. The people they see at the docks have obviously been treated badly by the High Lords of Tear and Elayne has "the urge to teach these folks dignity". The Sea Folk raker is the largest ship there "with three great towering masks amidships" and from the tales of the Atha'an Miere, it offers the mystery of far lands and different people.
Nynaeve blames the driver for the bad journey and so Elayne pays him and gives him some praise before they leave; "a kind word and a little praise were usually received as well as silver was, if not better". After the servant has gone, Nynaeve chastises Elayne for giving him too much money, "We do not have the Realm of Andor's resources for our own use". As they walk to the raker, Elayne advises Nynaeve to be tactful so that she doesn't offend the crew. They spot two women on the ship "who were obviously not ordinary crew". Both women have pierced ears and a chain runs from their nose to their ear, with medallions hanging off the chain.
They approach the two women and, remembering what Moiraine has told them, introduce themselves formally. They introduce themselves as being Aes Sedai of the Green Ajah, "Moiraine had seemed resigned to that more than anything else". The older of the two women introduces herself as Coine, Sailmistress of Wavedancer, and the other women as her sister, Jorin, Windfinder of Wavedancer. It is a surprise to Elayne that they are sisters because though she "could see the resemblance (...) Jorin looked much younger". Nynaeve asks to talk of their sailing and the gift of passage; "The Sea Fold did not charge for passage (...) it was a gift, which just coincidentally would be exchanged for a gift of equal value". Coine leads them below deck so that they can talk.
As they enter the cabin, Elayne notices a helmet and without thinking gasps out, "Seanchan", as it is the helmet of a Seanchan soldier. Coine tells them that they met a Seanchan ship and the soldiers tried to board Wavedancer; "I have the helmet to remind me". Nynaeve warns them about the damane the Seanchan they keep on their ships. A female member of the crew brings them tea and to their surprise, "she was bare to the waist, just like the men above". Coine orders the girl, Dorele, to work in the bilges "where clothes are a hindrance". She apologizes to Elayne and Nynaeve who quickly assure her that they aren't offended, "there are different ways among different people".
Talk turns to sailing and Nynaeve offers Coine three thousand gold marks to take them to Tanchico. Coine points out that it is a large amount of money "even counting that you ask me to alter my sailing plans". She adds that Aes Sedai are usually refused the gift of passage and that "Aes Sedai know this, and so almost never ask". Nynaeve demands to know why they were brought down below if they are to be refused. Coine explains that she has heard that Rand holds Callandor and the Aiel support him, "Prophecy is being fulfilled". She talks of the Jendai Prophecy and the Coramoor, obviously Rand. She explains that the Sea Folk welcome the prophecy, "The one we seek, herald of a new Age", and that they will serve the Coramoor. It is said that "The White Tower will be broken by his name, and Aes Sedai shall kneel to wash his feet".
She asks them why they want to go to Tanchico, "It is an unpleasant port of call now". Much to Nynaeve's reluctance, Elayne explains about the Black Ajah; "We must find them, else they may harm (...) the Coramoor". Surprisingly, it is Jorin, the Windfinder, who insists that they are given passage; "We can take them, my sister. We must". Before they can discuss anything else, a man, Coine's husband, comes into the cabin, talking of trade. Much to his surprise, Coine informs him that they will be leaving before he can receive any of his trade. He reveals himself to be Cargomaster upon the Wavedancer but he is overruled by Coine about when they are to leave. He is angered further when he discovers that they won't be sailing to Shara; "What I have in my holds will bring little in Tanchico". Coine doesn't give him an explanation as to why the plans have changed and he leaves them.
Nynaeve asks why Coine didn't explain that they were going to Tanchico for the three thousand gold crowns. Coine explains that "many among the crew consider Aes Sedai bad luck" and that if they knew of the Black Ajah, their passage would be troubled. Both Elayne and Nynaeve agree to hide their rings and the fact that they are Aes Sedai for the voyage. Coine then tells them that she will not accept the money and that "I will put in the gift of passage from my own chest", despite Jorin's argument that it will anger Toram further. Before they can talk further, the ship suddenly rolls as if they are in fierce water, not the Tairen docks. Jorin and Coine leave to check on the ship.
