This week’s installment of "Reading The Wheel of Time" delves into chapters 43 and 44, spotlighting significant developments for key characters. Egwene navigates treacherous political waters, confronts difficult choices, and faces the ramifications of past actions. Meanwhile, Rand’s journey to meet the Borderlanders takes an unexpected and somber turn, forcing him to confront both past trauma and the present dangers of his path. Nynaeve emerges as a critical protector, striving to shield innocents from Rand’s increasingly volatile power and seeking vital information about Perrin’s whereabouts.
Egwene’s Ascendancy: A New Amyrlin’s Resolve
Within the rebel camp, Egwene grapples with the aftermath of her confrontation with Elaida, a confrontation that ended not with victory but with a stark realization of her own limitations and the unpredictable nature of the Pattern. Her tent becomes a crucible for introspection, where she acknowledges the complex web of her leadership, questioning whether her inherent secrecy, even with trusted advisors like Siuan, may have hindered her progress. This introspection leads to a profound understanding of leadership: the Amyrlin, like any ruler, is subject to the whims of fate, yet possesses the unique capacity to project an aura of control, using their knowledge and power to influence the world’s trajectory.
Driven by the escalating threats of the Seanchan and the impending Last Battle, Egwene concludes that negotiation is no longer a viable option. With her army invigorated and the White Tower’s forces depleted and demoralized, she recognizes this as the opportune moment to strike. This decision, fraught with the weight of historical judgment, marks a pivotal shift in her leadership, emphasizing proactive action over passive waiting.
The unexpected arrival of Gawyn outside her tent introduces a personal dimension to her strategic considerations. His plea for clarity on their standing and her feelings is met with Egwene’s stern rebuke, highlighting his perceived disobedience and the distrust it signifies. She articulates the painful truth that while "Egwene the woman" may understand, "Egwene the Amyrlin" is deeply angered by his actions, revealing a crucial disconnect in his perception of her. This interaction underscores the challenge of maintaining personal relationships amidst the demands of leadership, a challenge Egwene agrees to address later.
The White Tower’s Secret Conclave: A Failed Gambit and a New Direction
Concurrently, within the White Tower, a clandestine meeting of five Ajah heads – Jesse Bilal (Brown), Adelorna Bastine (Green), Ferane Neheran (White), Suana Dragand (Yellow), and Serancha Colvine (Gray) – reveals the depth of their failed attempts to consolidate power. Excluded from this council is Tsutama, the current Highest of the Red Ajah, due to her recent ascension. Their initial scheme involved manipulating Elaida to heal the Tower’s divisions and establish their collective rule. This plan, which involved sending young, impressionable Sitters to influence the rebels, unraveled due to Elaida’s instability and the surprising effectiveness of the rebel leadership. Jesse Bilal privately acknowledges the critical error of allowing Elaida to disband the Blue Ajah, a move that galvanized the rebels and prevented a swifter reconciliation.
With their ambition of direct control thwarted and Elaida beyond salvage, the Ajah heads turn their attention to electing a new Amyrlin. The discussion quickly devolves into self-serving proposals, with each leader advocating for a candidate from their own Ajah. However, Adelorna Bastine’s suggestion of Egwene shifts the dynamic. Initially met with resistance, the collective consideration of Egwene’s resilience against Elaida, her competence during the Seanchan attack, and her potential to reunite the White Tower leads them to a unanimous conclusion: Egwene is the only viable candidate. This realization also signals the end of their aspirations for personal dominion, as they accept the necessity of installing a strong, unifying Amyrlin. Adelorna’s declaration, "I, for one, think that’s a splendid idea. It’s been too long," encapsulates the newfound consensus.
Siuan and Bryne: A Glimpse of Hope and Future Promises
Meanwhile, outside the meeting hall, Siuan and Bryne engage in a poignant conversation. Bryne inquires about the potential consequences of Egwene’s actions towards Siuan, who defends her past decisions by emphasizing the critical need for decisive action over prolonged deliberation. Bryne, recognizing Siuan’s profound sense of responsibility, acknowledges her unwavering honor, even in defying oaths and orders when necessary. He reveals his intention to ask for her hand in marriage, but only after the conclusion of the Last Battle, a testament to his hope that she will find personal peace after her immense sacrifices.
Egwene’s Trial by Oath: Unmasking the Black Ajah
Inside the Hall, Egwene confronts a dozen Sitters, each Ajah represented by a single member, as others are away on missions. Sheriam, bearing an unexplained injury she refuses to have healed, stands by Egwene’s side. After establishing a ward against eavesdropping, Egwene invokes the One Power and produces the Oath Rod. She swears the Three Oaths, unequivocally declaring her full standing as an Aes Sedai and refuting any claims of deceit. She then announces her intent to root out Darkfriends within their ranks, revealing that a Sitter had confessed her allegiance to the Shadow to Egwene while she was imprisoned in the White Tower. Each Sitter is subsequently required to remove and re-swear their Oaths, publicly declaring their allegiance to the Light.
Sheriam attempts to channel but is shielded by Egwene. Through a series of rapid questions, Egwene exposes Sheriam’s deception, referencing Verin’s confession and her own clever circumvention of the Oaths through poison. Sheriam’s admission of admiration for Verin’s ingenuity underscores the effectiveness of such tactics. When Egwene mentions Verin’s list, containing numerous names, including those of Sitters, Moria attempts to flee but is immediately apprehended. One by one, the remaining Sitters swear their oaths, purged of any shadow allegiance. Egwene then outlines her strategy: to gather the remaining Aes Sedai in groups, ostensibly for private discussions, and to use Verin’s list to identify and apprehend all Darkfriends, as well as any others who might be revealed during the oath-swearing process. The assembly unanimously votes to adopt Egwene’s plan, which includes a decisive assault on the White Tower following the purge.
Rand’s Confrontation: A Borderlander Stand-off and a Dark Omen
Meanwhile, Nynaeve and Rand, accompanied by Aiel, Narishma, and Naeff, journey to meet with the Borderlanders. The discussion centers on the strategic placement of Rand’s final stand in the Last Battle. Nynaeve advocates for Tarwin’s Gap, a position she believes is ideal for Rand’s defense. Rand, however, proposes a bolder, more perilous strategy: using Lan’s anticipated stand at Tarwin’s Gap as a diversion to draw the Shadow’s forces, allowing him to Travel directly to Shayol Ghul. Nynaeve’s reasoned arguments fail to sway him, and his chilling pragmatism, stating, "Then who am I to deny him that? We all deserve the chance to find peace," reveals a disturbing detachment from the value of individual lives in service of his grand design.
The rendezvous point is empty, save for Hurin, a figure from Rand’s past. After Rand confirms Hurin’s identity, he learns the Borderlanders intend to meet him in Far Madding, under the protection of the Guardian. Rand, cutting off further explanation, opens a Gateway to a location near Far Madding. He observes the army encircling the city, within the effective range of the ter’angreal that nullifies channeling. Rand perceives this as a deliberate attempt to trap him, but asserts his own defiance: "The city is a box… Nobody controls me. Not anymore."
Rand retrieves the access key to the Choedan Kal, and its globe begins to glow, signaling his intent to unleash its power. His words betray the lingering trauma of his previous imprisonment and torture in Far Madding. Nynaeve’s plea to spare the innocent city is met with Rand’s grim resolve to punish the army, not the city, with destructive force. He acknowledges that there is no turning back, his path set from birth, yet Nynaeve persists, urging him to choose a less destructive course.
Ultimately, Rand halts his channeling, dispatching Hurin with a message: the Dragon Reborn is heading to Shayol Ghul. He offers the Borderlanders a gateway to return to their duties and serve with honor, or remain in hiding and face the judgment of history. They return to Tear, and Rand, acknowledging a debt to Nynaeve for her continued concern, reveals Perrin’s location: camped near an enormous statue resembling a sword thrust into the earth.
Nynaeve’s Plea and Cadsuane’s Counsel: The Fate of the Pattern
Nynaeve seeks out Cadsuane, finding her in the company of other Aes Sedai, including Min. Nynaeve, using the information about Perrin as leverage, attempts to extract Cadsuane’s plan. She recounts the Borderlander meeting and her near-failure to prevent Rand from unleashing destructive power, expressing concern about the irrevocability of his hardening. Cadsuane reiterates her determination to restore Rand’s humanity, to make him "laugh again."
Corele interjects, citing Min’s visions of post-Last Battle events as proof of their victory, suggesting that intervention with Rand may be ultimately inconsequential. Min, however, corrects Corele, asserting that if the Dark One wins, the Pattern itself will cease to exist, rendering all prophecies moot. Cadsuane, surprised by Min’s insight, confirms its accuracy, emphasizing that the visions are merely "weavings in the Pattern from a time still distant" and that their victory is far from assured.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Nynaeve reveals Perrin’s location, describing the sword-like statue. Cadsuane immediately recognizes the description and understands Perrin’s significance, hinting that her plan hinges on a specific individual accompanying him.
Analysis and Implications
Thematic Resonance and Character Development:
Chapters 43 and 44 underscore the recurring themes of fate versus free will, the burdens of leadership, and the corrupting influence of trauma. Egwene’s journey showcases a leader grappling with immense responsibility, learning to balance decisiveness with strategic foresight. Her ascension to the Amyrlin Seat, though seemingly inevitable, is hard-won, marked by a deep understanding of the forces that shape the world and her place within them.
Rand’s narrative arc, conversely, plunges into darkness. His descent into paranoia and hardness, fueled by the taint of the One Power and past traumas, presents a stark contrast to Egwene’s growing resolve. His detachment from the value of life, particularly evident in his dismissal of Lan’s potential sacrifice, raises grave concerns about his capacity for empathy and the future of his leadership. The parallel drawn between Rand’s self-imposed emotional prison and the Dark One’s imprisonment outside of time highlights the destructive nature of his current state.
Min’s role as a philosopher of the Pattern gains prominence. Her ability to interpret visions not as passive foretellings but as active threads within the fabric of existence positions her as a crucial voice in understanding the stakes of the conflict. Her correction of Corele emphasizes that even established Aes Sedai can err in their understanding of the Pattern’s intricate workings, and that Min’s insight is a vital, active contribution.
Political Machinations and Strategic Shifts:
Egwene’s strategic acumen is on full display as she orchestrates the purge of Darkfriends within the White Tower and solidifies her claim to the Amyrlin Seat. The clandestine meeting of the Ajah heads highlights the complex political landscape of the Aes Sedai, where power struggles and failed ambitions are commonplace. The irony of their plan to control Egwene ultimately leading to her empowerment serves as a testament to her formidable will.
The Borderlanders’ approach, characterized by a seemingly rigid adherence to protocol and a grand but potentially impractical mobilization, raises questions about their understanding of the current global crisis. Their insistence on meeting Rand in Far Madding, a location already associated with his trauma, seems strategically unsound, suggesting either a lack of awareness or a deliberate attempt to provoke him. Rand’s reaction, while extreme, stems from deep-seated pain and a desire to assert his autonomy.
Chronology and Key Events:
- Egwene’s Introspection and Decision: Egwene reflects on past failures, recognizes the nature of leadership, and resolves to attack the White Tower.
- Gawyn’s Confrontation: Gawyn seeks clarity from Egwene, leading to a tense discussion about trust and leadership.
- White Tower Conclave: Ajah heads discuss their failed plans and ultimately agree to support Egwene as the new Amyrlin.
- Siuan and Bryne’s Exchange: Siuan and Bryne discuss their past and future, hinting at a potential marriage.
- Egwene’s Oath Ceremony: Egwene swears the Three Oaths, exposes Darkfriends, and outlines her plan for the White Tower.
- Rand’s Meeting with Borderlanders: Rand encounters Hurin and the Borderlanders’ proposal, leading to a confrontation near Far Madding.
- Rand’s Near-Destruction: Rand nearly unleashes the Choedan Kal on the Borderlander army but is dissuaded by Nynaeve.
- Perrin’s Location Revealed: Rand informs Nynaeve of Perrin’s whereabouts.
- Nynaeve Consults Cadsuane: Nynaeve seeks Cadsuane’s help, revealing information about Perrin and Rand’s mental state.
Broader Impact and Future Outlook:
The events of these chapters set the stage for a critical turning point in the War of the Shadow. Egwene’s consolidation of power within the White Tower promises to unify the Aes Sedai and provide a formidable force against the Dark One. However, Rand’s increasing detachment and reliance on destructive power present a grave threat, not only to his enemies but potentially to the very fabric of the Pattern. The question of whether he can be redeemed from his current state looms large, with Cadsuane’s determination to restore his lost humanity offering a glimmer of hope. The Borderlanders’ role remains uncertain, their actions potentially influenced by Rand’s ta’veren nature or other unseen forces within the Pattern. The coming weeks will undoubtedly reveal the full consequences of these dramatic developments as the final confrontation with the Dark One draws nearer.
