Kwamesa Taramasu

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Author: Atarah al'Norahn

General

The full name was not recorded in the main series, but was given in the Wheel of Time Companion. Other information about the character is also included in the Companion, but we did not use it in the TarValon.Net Library.


Kwamesa Taramasu is an Aes Sedai of the Gray Ajah who sides with the Salidar Aes Sedai when the White Tower splits. Among the rebels, she is made a Sitter for her Ajah, the youngest in Salidar (LoC, Ch. 35). As the youngest Salidar Sitter, it falls to her to speak many of the ritual words when the Hall convenes (LoC, Ch. 35; TPoD, Ch. 19; CoT, Ch. 19).

Kwamesa is from Arafel. She is dark and slender, with a sharp nose. Although she is not tall, she tries to appear as if she is (LoC, Ch. 35; CoT, Ch. 19).

Timeline

  • Kwamesa is present when Egwene appears before the Hall to become the Salidar Amyrlin. She asks the ritual question of whether there are any in the room save women, and strips to the waist, proclaiming herself a woman. After the others do the same, she walks around the room and gives everyone a direct stare, and then proclaims that there are none present but women. This is a tradition that dates back to the Breaking of the World (LoC, Ch. 35).
  • She is the second Sitter to stand for Egwene on the first vote (LoC, Ch. 35).
  • At the Hall meeting to determine whether war will be declared on Elaida, Kwamesa speaks the ritual words claiming that what is heard in the Hall of the Tower is only for the Hall, and that whoever intrudes, she will bind according to the law (TPoD, Ch. 19).
  • When Egwene proposes that they declare war on Elaida, Kwamesa is the seventh Sitter to stand in favor of it. When Delana becomes sick after Egwene has Takima recite Law of War, stating that the Amyrlin can choose to go to war and the Hall must carry out her decrees, Kwamesa and Salita move as if to help her, but she waves them back (TPoD, Ch. 19).
  • Kwamesa is one of the first Sitters to arrive to hear Akarrin's report about the large use of saidar felt at Shadar Logoth. When the Hall convenes, Romanda states that she does not think the discussion of Akarrin's report needs to be discussed formally, and Kwamesa is left uncertain as to whether she should speak the ritual words or not. She finally sits down (CoT, Ch. 19).
  • At the same meeting, when Egwene asks who stands for an agreement with the Black Tower, Kwamesa is the ninth to stand, only a second behind Salita, Berana and Aledrin, who rise in a rush (CoT, Ch. 19).
  • Kwamesa insists that they must negotiate a treaty with the Black Tower, and therefore thinks that the Gray Ajah should be in charge of the mission (CoT, Ch. 20).
  • The Salidar Hall meets to hear and discuss Rand’s offer to allow them to bond forty-seven Asha'man. Kwamesa hurries to arrive and looks chagrined that she is not the first one there. She stands in support of the bonding (KoD, Ch. 23).
  • She weaves the ward against Eavesdropping when Egwene returns ({[tgs|48}}).
  • After reunification, Kwamesa steps down from her position as a Sitter (ToM, Ch. 27).

Miscellaneous

Quotes

"Kwamesa walked slowly around the room, pausing before each woman for an almost insultingly direct stare, then halted in front of her own chair again and announced that there were none present but women. The Aes Sedai sat and most began pulling up their bodices. Not in haste, exactly, but few wasting any time either. Egwene almost shook her head. She could not cover until later in the ceremony. Long ago, Kwamesa's question would have required more proof; in those days, formal ceremonies were held "clad in the Light," which was to say in nothing but your own skin. What would these women make of an Aiel sweat tent or a Shienaran bath?" (Egwene; Lord of Chaos, Chapter 35)

"Egwene started slowly across the carpets, between the two rows, with Sheriam close behind, and Kwamesa stood. The light of saidar suddenly shone around the dark slender woman, youngest of the Sitters. Tonight there would be no skimping of the formalities. "What is brought before the Hall of the Tower is for the Hall alone to consider," Kwamesa announced. "Whosoever intrudes unbidden, woman or man, initiate or outsider, whether they come in peace or in anger, I will bind according to the law, to face the law. Know that what I speak is true; it will and shall be done." (Egwene; The Path of Daggers, Chapter 19)