A Crown of Swords: Chapter 30
The First Cup
Author: Atarah al'Norahn
Characters: Elayne, Merilille, Adeleas, Vandene, Careane, Sareitha, Pol, Moghedien, Nynaeve
Setting: Ebou Dar
Points of view: Elayne, Moghedien
Elayne's point of view
Elayne has just announced to Merilille, Adeleas, Vandene, Careane and Sareitha that the Bowl of the Winds has been found; a little while ago, Nalesean had come with a message, saying that "Mat had gone off shouting that he had found it, or something very like, Nalesean allowed; the longer he talked, the more he bounced between absolute certainty and doubt". Elayne cannot understand why the other Aes Sedai are so angry. Merilille tells her that she has endangered a secret that is sworn to the shawl. Vandene and Adeleas side with Merilille; Careane argues that Elayne "cannot be faulted for revealing a secret she did not know"; Sareitha argues that Tower law doesn't allow for mere excuses, and Careane ends up agreeing with her. Sareitha suggests that Elayne and Nynaeve be confined to the palace, given chores to do, and be given a firm dose of the slipper at regular intervals. Elayne is confused, and wonders aloud if this secret deals with the Kin. Merilille interrupts, and suggests passing sentence. The others agree.
Pol, Merilille's maid, knocks on the door and enters. She has a letter for Elayne, who takes it before the other Aes Sedai can react, and reads it. It is from Jaichim Carridin, saying that Morgase is alive and is currently a guest of Pedron Niall in Amador. Elayne is furious; she thinks that Carridin is lying and mocking her. She channels and burns the letter.
Merilille jumps up and tells Elayne to release [[the Source, that she was not given permission to channel. Elayne orders Pol to leave, and she does. Merilille demands to know what has gotten into her, and threatens to fetch a slipper immediately. Elayne is even more furious now, and intends for the others to recognize both Nynaeve and herself as Aes Sedai. "I am Aes Sedai. You propose to punish me for endangering a secret apparently known only to sisters, but no one bothered to tell me this secret when I attained the shawl. You suggest punishing me like a novice or Accepted, but I am Aes Sedai. I was raised to the shawl by Egwene al'Vere, the Amyrlin you claim to serve. If you deny that Nynaeve and I are Aes Sedai, then you deny the Amyrlin Seat who sent me to find the Bowl of the Winds, which we have done. I will not have it! I call you to account, Merilille Ceandevin. Submit to the will of the Amyrlin Seat, or I will call judgment on you as a rebellious traitor!"
The other Aes Sedai are astounded. Merilille sits when Elayne orders her to, and Elayne continues to speak. She informs the others that they will take their orders from her and Nynaeve now, and no one argues. Adeleas and Vandene proceed to tell Elayne about the Kin.
The Kin began during the Trolloc Wars. Runaways and those who were put out of the Tower would flee to Barashta, which is now Ebou Dar. Many would become Healers or Wisdoms. While the Kin always make sure to remain hidden, they will sometimes pass on word to Aes Sedai when a woman is found pretending to be Aes Sedai. The Kin help runaways, and it is because of this that the White Tower has never broken up the Kin; when a woman runs away, they know exactly where to look.
Adeleas and Vandene finish, and Elayne stands. She is surprised when the others follow suit. She is told that when another Aes Sedai stands above or is placed above others, other Aes Sedai will tend to follow her rather meekly. They all sit again, and Elayne proceeds to tell them what she knows of the Kin.
Moghedien's point of view
Moghedien is being carried through the crowds of Ebou Dar on a sedan chair, near the docks, when she spots Nynaeve. Although Moridin's instructions had been clear, she decides that a slight delay will not hurt.
Moghedien hurries into a nearby inn and goes up to the roof. She finds the ship that Nynaeve is on and balefires it before running back to her sedan chair.
<< Previous Chapter / Next Chapter >>
