The Gathering Storm

;Ah, good," Elaida said, noticing Egwene. "You've finally arrived. Come here, child."

Egwene did so, walking through the room, the last few Sitters catching notice of her. Some seemed confused, others made curious, by her presence. As she walked, Egwene realized something.

This one evening could easily undo all that she'd worked for.

If the Aes Sedai here saw her subserviently waiting on Elaida, Egwene would lose integrity in their eyes. Elaida had declared that Egwene was cowed—but Egwene had proven otherwise. If she bent to Elaida's will here, even a little, it would be seen as proof.

Light burn the woman! Why had she invited so many of the women that Egwene had been working to influence? Was it simple happenstance? Egwene joined the false Amyrlin at the head of the table, and a servant handed her a crystal pitcher of glistening red wine. "You are to keep my cup full," Elaida said. "Wait there, but don't come too close. I'd rather not have to smell the soot on you from your punishments this afternoon."

Egwene clenched her jaw. Smell the soot? After an hour of scrubbing? Doubtful. From the side, she could see the satisfaction in Elaida's eyes as she sipped her wine. Then Elaida turned to Shevan, who sat in the chair to Elaida's right. The Brown was a lanky woman, with knobbed arms and an angular face, like a person made of gnarled sticks. Her eyes were thoughtful as she studied her hostess.

"Tell me, Shevan," Elaida said. "Do you still insist on those foolish talks with the rebels?"

Shevan responded. "The sisters must be given a chance to reconcile."

"They've had their chance," Elaida said. "Honestly, I expected more of a Brown. You're behaving doggedly, without a whit of understanding how the real world works. Why, even Meidani agrees with me, and she's a Gray! You know how they are."

Shevan turned away, seeming more disturbed than before. Why did Elaida invite them to dinner, if only to insult them and their Ajahs? As Egwene watched, the Red turned her attention to Ferane, and complained to her about Rubinde, a Sitter from the Green who also resisted Elaida's efforts to end the talks. As she spoke, she raised her cup to Egwene, tapping it. Elaida had barely taken a few sips.

Egwene ground her teeth, filling the cup. The others had seen her do labor before—why, she'd cracked walnuts for Ferane. This wouldn't ruin her reputation, not unless Elaida forced her to abase herself somehow.

But what was the point of this dinner? Elaida didn't seem to be making any attempt to bring the Ajahs together. If anything, she was prying those rifts wider, the way she was dismissing those who disagreed with her. Occasionally, she would have Egwene refill her cup, but it never had room for more than a sip or two.

Slowly, Egwene began to understand. This dinner wasn't about working with the Ajahs. It was about bullying the Sitters into doing as Elaida felt they should. And Egwene was simply there to be shown off! This was all about proving to the others how much power Elaida had—she could take someone that others had named Amyrlin, put a novice dress on her and send her to penance every day.

Egwene felt herself grow angry again. Why could Elaida always stir her emotions? Soup bowls were removed and plates of steamed, buttered carrots were brought, a hint of cinnamon striking the air. Egwene had not been given dinner, but she felt too sick to care about eating.

No, she thought, steeling herself. / will not end this early, like last time. I will endure. I am stronger than Elaida. I'm stronger than her madness.

The conversation continued, Elaida making insulting comments to the others, sometimes with intent, sometimes with apparent unawareness. The others steered the talk away from the rebels and toward the strangely overcast skies. Eventually, Shevan mentioned a rumor about the Seanchan working with Aiel far to the south.

"The Seanchan again?" Elaida said with a sigh. "You needn't worry about them."

"My sources say otherwise, Mother," Shevan said stiffly. "I think we need to pay close attention to what they are doing. I have had some sisters ask this child about her experience with them, which has been extensive. You should hear the things they do to Aes Sedai."

Elaida laughed a tinkling, melodic laugh. "Surely you know how the child is prone to exaggerate!" She glanced at Egwene. "Have you been spreading lies for your friend, the fool al'Thor? What did he tell you to say about these invaders? They are working for him, are they not?"

Egwene didn't respond.

"Speak," Elaida said, gesturing with her cup. "Tell these women you have been speaking lies. Confess or I'll have you in penance again, girl."

The penance she would take for not speaking would be better than suffering Elaida's rage at contradicting her. Silence was the path to victory.

And yet, as Egwene glanced down the long mahogany table, set with bright white Sea Folk porcelain and flickering red candles, she saw five pairs of eyes studying her. She could see their questions. Egwene had spoken boldly to them when alone, but would she hold to her assertions now, faced by the most powerful woman in the world? A woman who held Egwene's life in her hands?

Was Egwene the Amyrlin? Or was she just a girl who liked to pretend?

Light hum you, Elaida, she thought, gritting her teeth, seeing that she had been wrong. Silence wouldn't lead to victory, not in front of these women. You are not going to like how this proceeds.

"The Seanchan are not working for Rand," Egwene said. "And they are a severe danger to the White Tower. I have spread no lies. To say otherwise would be to betray the Three Oaths."

"You haven't taken the Three Oaths," Elaida said sternly, turning toward her.

"I have," Egwene said. "I've held no Oath Rod, but it isn't the Rod that makes my words true. I have spoken the words of the oaths in my heart, and to me they are more dear, for I have nothing forcing me to hold to them. And by that oath holding me, I tell you again. I am a Dreamer, and I have Dreamed that the Seanchan will attack the White Tower."

Elaida's eyes flared for a moment, and she gripped her fork until her knuckles whitened. Egwene held her eyes, and finally Elaida laughed again. "Ah, stubborn as ever, I see. I shall have to tell Katerine that she was right. You'll have penance for your exaggerations, child."

"These women know I don't speak lies," Egwene said calmly. "And each time you insist that I do, you lower yourself in their eyes. Even if you disbelieve my Dream, you must admit that the Seanchan are a threat. They leash women who can channel, using them as weapons with a kind of twisted ter'angreal. I have felt the collar on my neck. I still feel it, sometimes. In my dreams. My nightmares."