The Great Hunt: Chapter 24

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Chapter 24: New Friends and Old Enemies

Val a'Shain

Characters: Egwene, Elayne, Min, Galad, Gawyn, Logain, Elaida

Setting: the White Tower

Point of view: Egwene, Min


Egwene's point of view:

Egwene's first day as a Novice isn't quite what she expected. Since before dawn she has been doing chores. Now an accepted has come to take her to the scullery. When they get there Egwene is told to be there at this time every day from now on. When Egwene goes in she sees a young woman in Novice white. She introduces herself as Elayne and tells Egwene she has been assigned to show here around. Egwene immediately notices the air of dignity and self-possession about her.

The girls talk a bit about their training and channeling men. Egwene shows Elayne that she already learned some things. When Elayne embraces the source, Egwene sees the glow around a channeling woman for the first time. Then Elayne takes the conversation to Rand and Egwene finally realizes that she is the Daughter-Heir of Andor and that Rand didn't make the story about meeting her up. The Mistress of Novices told Elayne not the mention that and the conversation turns to Sheriam for a bit. Elayne takes them back to Rand a bit later though and Egwene feels a stab of jealousy at that. She tells Elayne the last time she has seen him he was in the company of a group of Shienaran soldiers. Elayne tells Egwene her mother's Aes Sedai advisor, Elaida of the Red Ajah, was very interested in him and is still looking for him. Egwene is alarmed at this news, a Red looking for a man who can channel! Elayne assures her that she wouldn't tell Elaida even if she knew where he was.

There are two other girls in the Tower who have met Rand. Egwene thinks that Rand is meeting a lot of girls on the road lately. Elayne takes her to meet one of them. On the way they meet the gentled false dragon Logain accompanied by a couple of accepted. He is a sorry sight and Egwene hopes Rand won't end up like that. The girl Elayne wants Egwene to meet turns out to be Min. Egwene remembers her from their brief stay in Baerlon. It turns out Min was 'invited' to come to the White Tower so the Aes Sedai could study her talent. Min sees images around people of things in their future. It turns out it doesn't have anything to do with the One Power. She sees a white flame around Egwene, for instance, but doesn't know what it means.

Before they can discuss Min's viewings further, Gawyn and Galad, Elayne's brothers, join the conversation. They are training with the Warders while Elayne is in the White Tower. Egwene thinks Galad is very beautiful and Min, Elayne and Gawyn watch somewhat amused as Galad asks her if he can meet her again if their duties allow it. Egwene manages a 'that would be nice" before he departs. Elayne is not impressed with her brother at all, much to Gawyn's amusement. Although he agrees that Galad takes being good just a bit too far.

Elayne tells Gawyn that Egwene is from the same village as Rand. Gawyn thinks Rand is a very unusual man. He manages to touch people's lives so much that Gawyn almost thinks he is a ta'veren. He has also noted Elaida's interest in Rand. At that point Egwene decides she needs some friends in the Tower and that Min and Elayne would do wonderfully. A surprised Gawyn watches as the three girls hug each other. Min doesn't know what most of her viewings mean but she is sure the three of them are tied to each other somehow.

Gawyn spots Elaida coming their way. He thinks this is a good moment to leave. Elayne tries to introduce Egwene to her but Elaida reminds Elayne that they are not at her Mother's court and that she is not to speak unless spoken to. She dismisses Egwene and Elayne and tells Elayne to visit Sheriam for punishment. She wants to talk to Min alone.


Min's point of view:

Elaida is very thorough in her interrogation of Min, but despite that, Min manages to tell Elaida she doesn't know who Rand is. She is not very pleased with Moiraine for having her dragged to Tar Valon though, she wants to leave the first chance she gets.

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