The Shadow Rising: Chapter 1

Seeds of Shadow

Asandra al'Terra

Min's POV ~ Characters: Min, Siuan Sanche, Leane, Gawyn (main); Sahra and Faolain (sub characters)

Having traveled from Falme for many months, Min had finally arrived in Tar Valon. Moiraine had given her a message for the Amyrlin's ears alone, and was told to keep out of notice until she is in the Amyrlin's study; for this reason, she is wearing a dress, and has her hair longer than it was when she last visited the Tower; also, she uses her full name, Elmindreda, so that nobody will regocgnise her by name.

As she enters the Tower, she is greeted by an Accepted, Faolain, whom she had met briefly during her previous visit. However, the Accepted does not recognize her. Min requests the right to speak to the Amyrlin, and gives her full name, Elmindreda, praying that it will be recognized. In the middle of the request, however, three Aes Sedai walk into the room, and she sees a different aura around each of them - and each aura indicates that each of them will die, and all on the same day. She is shaken. Faolain goes to deliver the message to the Keeper.

Min continues to see auras around the Aes Sedai and Gaidin who enter the room, and is even more scared when she sees that Sheriam will be hurt on the same day that many people of the Tower die. A few moments later, Min is greeted by a novice, Sahra, and is led to the Amyrlin's study. On the way, she sees more auras of death and injury.

Outside the Amyrlin's study, Min runs into Gawyn who is concerned about Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve - he has not been told about their whereabouts, except that they are serving penance on a farm. Min sees an aura of his sigil of the White Boar on a green background, rather than the red one of Andor. Min assures Gawyn that they must be safe, and enters the antechamber of the Amyrlin's study.

The Keeper of the Chronicles, Leane, recognizes Min, despite her disguise, and sends her into the Amyrlin's room.

Min sees an aura of the Siuan lying naked on the ground, and also has a feeling that something else is wrong, yet she cannot explain it. The Amyrlin laughs the vision off, and Min speaks about all her visions since entering the Tower. Siuan then tells Min about the Black Ajah in the Tower, and Min is frightened. Yet Siuan changes the topic to that of Min's reason for coming to the Tower, and Min in turn relays Moiraine's message that Rand is traveling to Tear. Siuan is angry, and believes that it is too soon for him. Siuan also manages to worm out the fact that Min is in love with Rand and that she wants to go to Tear to be with him. However, Siuan had been plotting since Min stepped into the room, and intends for Min to stay as bait for the Black Ajah. Siuan insists that Min keep Elmindreda as her name, and gives her the story of trying to decide between two suitors as her reason to stay in the Tower.

Elaida's POV ~ characters: Elaida, Sahra, Alviarin.

Elaida sees Gawyn talking to a girl outside the Amyrlin's study, and recognizes her as Min. She believes that the Amyrlin is hiding the whereabouts of Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve; she also knows that Moiraine and Siuan are friends, although they had gone their separate ways when raised, and are plotting to manipulate Rand. The Red sister intends to stop them; she believes that Rand will destroy the Royal Line of Andor and she does not intend to let that happen; at one point, she had a Foretelling that the Royal Line of Andor is the key to winning the Last Battle. She has an epiphany moment, in which she considers the possibility that Rand might be able to channel. All of a sudden, she meets Alviarin (Aes Sedai of the White Ajah), and they begin to plan on how to stop Siuan Sanche.

Dain Bornhald's POV ~ Characters: Bornhald, Byar, Ordeith

Dain Bornhald stands staring across the river at Taren Ferry when he is approached by Child Ivon, who delivers the message that Ordeith had been talking to three Tinkers, and, suspiciously, none of them can be found. Bornhald has been ordered to meet Ordeith by the Lord Captain Commander, and was also told that the man would have more orders for him; his exact status was vague, but he acted as somewhat of an advisor. Bornhald believes that Ordeith is quite insane, but ignores him, for the fact that he is intent on avenging his father by killing Perrin Aybara.

High Lady Suroth's POV ~ Characters: High Lady Suroth, Pura, Taisa, Alwhin

Lady Suroth is on the isles of Cantorin, she had taken over as the ruler. Most of the Sea Folk and other sea-faring people have been taken hostage by her, and therefore they aren't able to inform anyone of the Seanchan's presence. Suroth has also managed to gather a small legion of the Seanchan that had fled Falme six months ago, and plans to lead the Return; she is just delaying until she is certain that the mainland has forgotten about the Seanchan, and does not suspect that they are there, ready to attack.

At the time, Suroth is questioning Pura, a captured Aes Sedai who has been taken as a damane. She wants to know how the Aes Sedai control the Dragon Reborn. However, she is doubtful of the fact that the once-Aes Sedai cannot lie, even if they cannot make her say something as simple as a piece of black cloth being white. The two sul'dam present, Taisa and Alwhin, are so'jhin - servants of the Blood. Suroth dismisses Taisa and Pura, then proceeds to speak of a secret only she and three others know, one of which is Alwhin. Suroth resolves to lead the Return.

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