The Fires of Heaven: Chapter 50
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Author: Annouk Vinkona Ùlfanna
Chapter Icon: Flame of Tar Valon
Points of view: Nynaeve, Elayne
Summary
Nynaeve's Point of View:
Setting: Salidar
Characters: Nynaeve, Elayne, Morvrin, Sheriam, Myrelle, Carlinya, Anaiya, Beonin, Phaedrine, Siuan, Leane, Thom, Juilin, Uno, Shienaran soldiers, Min, Areina, Nicola, Marigan, Birgitte, Jaril, Seve, Croi Makin, Avar Hachami, Faolain, Gareth Bryne, Therva Maresis, Nisao Dachen, Dagdara Finchey
Their arrival in Salidar is not as they expected it to be. Nynaeve and Elayne thought that they would be welcomed as heroes after all they went through, defeating the Black Ajah twice. But they are harshly interrogated by six Aes Sedai (Sheriam, Morvrin, Myrelle, Carlinya, Anaiya and Beonin). They tell the story they had agreed on telling and manage to keep most of their secrets. They hide details about their encounter with Moghedien and they also manage to keep the secret of Birgitte's real identity. Additionally the Aes Sedai don't find out that Nynaeve and Elayne have been posing as full sisters.
Nynaeve is surprised to find Siuan and Leane alive. She senses a chill between the two women. She is also aware of them being stilled. She feels the lack of something and describes that it feels almost like a wound. She becomes curious and plans to find out whether that wound can be healed. Nynaeve also feels the lack of freedom. She finds it hard to readjust to others being in charge. When she jumps to please Sheriam she realizes that their "days of freedom certainly were gone".
The Aes Sedai question them about Birgitte's silver bow, the a'dam and most importantly about Tel'aran'rhiod and the dream ter'angreal. Siuan is questioned as to why she gave a letter with her seal to Accepted and why she sent them after the Black Ajah. But the Aes Sedai are most intent on using the dream ter'angreal to spy on Elaida and to contact Moiraine through Egwene. Sheriam orders Nynaeve and Elayne to teach the Aes Sedai the use of the ter'angreal. Nynaeve fears that once they know how to use it that it would probably be taken away from them.
The Aes Sedai agree that Nynaeve and Elayne left the Tower by command and that they cannot be blamed for it. They are to resume their studies.
Before the interrogation is over, Beonin brings the topic back to the seal on the Dark One's prison that was in Nynaeve and Elayne's possession. It is shattered, even though it is made of cuendillar. Elayne says that they didn't take care of it because they didn't think they would have to, given the fact that cuendillar is indestructible. Anaiya says that, if her information is correct, three seals still hold.
After the interrogation, Nynaeve goes to the common room where Thom, Juilin and Uno try to convince them to flee from Salidar. Nynaeve thinks about the advantages she would have from being able to study with the Aes Sedai of the Yellow Ajah in Salidar (Therva Maresis, Nisao Dachen, Dagdara Finchey). Elayne also says that she would like to stay in Salidar. The two of them urge Thom, Juilin and Uno to ride to Cairhien without them to help Rand. Suddenly all three of them find reasons why they'd like to stay in Salidar, obviously wanting to protect the girls.
Birgitte and Min play with Marigan's boys, Jaril and Seve. Nynaeve and Elayne reassure Birgitte that they were able to keep her secret. Two of Myrelle's Warders, Croi Makin and Avar Hachami, are the only people in the common room not scurrying around on some errand. They seem to be in a conversation but were probably assigned to watch the newcomers.
Faolain comes in and orders Areina and Nicola to be tested to see if they can channel.
Siuan and Leane come out of the room where the interrogation had been held. Iciness still surrounds them, but Nynaeve sees a small flicker of sympathy. Siuan joins the newcomers. Her face goes blank when Gareth Bryne joins the small group. He asks Uno for help in training his army. He also talks to Thom. To Nynaeve it sounds like riddles, but the reader understands that they talk about their past and that Thom assures Gareth Bryne of his support as long as it doesn't tie him to the situation for too long. Gareth Bryne almost ignores Elayne.
Siuan takes Nynaeve to a room where she demands that Nynaeve also teaches her the use of the dream ter'angreal. If she doesn't, she will reveal that they had posed as full sisters. Nynaeve doesn't want to be bullied. She threatens Siuan to reveal that she and Leane are not as hostile to each other as they pretend to be. Her hunch had been right, their hostility is a masquerade. Nynaeve still agrees to teach Siuan if she allows her to study her and Leane's stilling, and Logain's gentling.
Elayne's Point of View:
Setting: Salidar
Characters: Nynaeve, Elayne, Morvrin, Sheriam, Myrelle, Carlinya, Anaiya, Beonin, Phaedrine, Thom, Juilin, Uno, Shienaran soldiers, Areina, Nicola, Marigan, Birgitte, Jaril, Seve, Croi Makin, Avar Hachami, Faolain, Gareth Bryne, Therva Maresis, Nisao Dachen, Dagdara Finchey
Elayne's point of view
Elayne catches up with Min. They observe Leane talking to a large, roughly dressed man who looks like a blacksmith. Min brings up that she had a viewing about Nicola, Areina and Marigan. She only saw that they'll bring trouble, and she can't define it any better. Elayne wants to talk about the viewing Min had about Rand and her and about Elayne having to share him. Min says that she'll have to share him with two others. She also admits that she is one of those two. Elayne is shocked. She admits that she doesn't like the thought of having to share him. So does Min, saying, "Elayne, it shames me to admit it, but I will take him any way I can get him." However, both agree that they like each other. They wonder who the third woman will be. Elayne hopes that Aviendha will take good care of him.
Notes
This section contains Notes on this Chapter which may contain spoilers. Please expand to view.
Visions and Prophecies
- Min's Viewings
- (About Faolain) "A nasty woman. You'd think, if there was any justice, she would have an unpleasant future ahead of her."
- (About Rand) "I saw you'd fall in love with him. I don't know what he feels for you, only that he's tied to you some way." Elayne says, "And you saw there would be someone else. Someone I'd have to share him with." Min's reply: "Two. Two others. And...And I'm one."
- (About an unknown woman, to Elayne) "And Cairhienin women aren't all like Moiraine. I saw a Cairhienin woman in Baerlon once. On the surface, she made Moiraine look like Leane, but sometimes she said things, hinting. And the auras! I don't think a man in the whole town was safe alone with her, not unless he was ugly, lame, and better yet, dead."
