The Dragon Reborn: Chapter 15

Chapter 15: The Gray Man

Val a'Shain

Characters: Egwene, Nynaeve, a Gray Man, Sheriam.

Setting: the White Tower

Point of view: Egwene

Egwene and Nynaeve hurry to the Novice Quarters after their talk with the Amyrlin. They discuss ways to defend themselves in case they run into a Black sister and wonder how they can do so without breaking the Three Oaths. When they arrive at Elyane's room they notice she hasn't returned from her visit with the Mistress of Novices yet. At that moment, a crossbow bolt sreaks past Egwene, nicking her ear. Nynaeve drags her down to the floor.

Both embrace the Saidar and look around for the assassin. They can't see anyone at first but after a moment Nynaeve spots a man and ties him up with Air. A trick she learned from the Amyrlin. When they reach the man they find he has been killed with a dagger. The crossbow is missing.

At that moment Sheriam finds them and wants to know what happened. Nynaeve tells the Mistress of Novices they found the man like this. Sheriam checks if he is dead an recoils when she realizes it is a Gray Man. Egwene and Nynaeve haven't been taught about Gray Men yet so Sheriam quickly explains. Gray Men give their soul to the shadow to become the Dark One's assassins. They are almost impossible to spot before it's too late.

Sheriam thinks it's better Nynaeve and Egwene don't become involved in this considering the trouble they are already in. She sends them to their rooms. Egwene suddenly remembers the crossbow bolt and makes an excuse to go get it. When she gets there the bolt is already gone though. There is only one possibility: an other Gray Man took it. When Egwene and Nynaeve leave the site of the murder Nynaeve notes Sheriam never wondered who stabbed the Gray Man.

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