# Character Notes from Crossroads of Twilight

## Chapter 8

- Perrin had  a dream about something bad. He is going more and more crazy on the hunt to save Faile. When he woke up, the first thing he had to face was one the of the Aiel imitators (that follow Faile) reporting that they found something up in Masema's camp. Then it waa something else about the snealy clerk gut suggesting something related to the Aes Sedai.


What a bummer that the fancy editor is broken. Oh well at least this one works. 

## Chapter 9: Traps (Faile)

Faile is still a prisoner (gai'shain) to the Shaido, who have settled for the last few days in the town of Malden, which they conquered. Faile witnesses several Wise Ones being distracted by Rand and Nynaeve's work on saidin, then talks with Chiad about how Bain and Chiad successfully helped Lucile and Arrela (Aiel imitators) escape, then Faile tried again, unsuccessfully, to talk Chiad into going with her when she tries to escape. 

Faile continues by going to do Sevanna's laundry, but is stopped by a random Aiel man, a Brotherless named Nadric, who intends to rape her. Nadric is stopped by Rolan, the Brotherless Aiel who made Faile gai'shain. Nadric then walks with her to pick up the spilled laundry, then carries the laundry for her while expressing that he wants her as a lover.

Reaching the table for doing laundry, Faile finds Alliandre and together they talk about how Maighdin (aka Queen Morgase) set out that morning to steal something from Therava's tent, and should be back by now. Then the two of them are approached by Galina, who begins to pressure them about getting a move on with the taks she gave them, when Maighdin walks up, having been caught trying to steal and punished for it. 

Just when Galina is about to tear into Maighdin, another gai'shain, Aravine, walks up and interrupts them to take Faile to Sevanna. On their way, Aravine takes them on a detour to show Faile that Arrela and Lacile had been captured, brought back, and punished extremely. Aravine takes this opportunity to swear fealty to Faile, because she overheard that Faile is planning to escape and wants to be taken with them.

From there Aravine actually takes Faile to Sevanna, and when Faile walks in Sevanna is in the middle of a not quite argument with Therava about whether to stay in this city, or go east (to get away from the massive source of saidar the Wise Ones can feel which is Rand cleansing saidin). Sevanna does not give in and insists that they will be staying here while they wait for as many as ten other septs to join her. 

Sevanna then moves on to reveal that the reason she called for Faile was that Faile's hidden knife had been found. Therava says that Faile should be punished by leaving her out overnight in the cold, hogtied and naked. Faile takes this punishment as she must, and fights extremely hard not to scream against the pain and cramps and cold, when Rolan appears with two braziers, placing them underneath the table she is on and begins massaging away the cramps. Faile laughs at what her life has become in just two short weeks of 22 days (huh?).

## Chapter 10: A Blazing Beacon (Elayne)

We open with Elayne getting ready in the morning inside House Matherin, while she recounts why she is out on a tour of Andor gathering men to defend Caemlyn in her support. Elayne's mood swings from being pregnant are very prominent in this chapter. Elayne grows frustrated at how slow the maid provided to her is being, until on the way out the maid screams in horror, explaining that she thought she saw the ghost of the late Lady of this house. Elayne meets Aviendha in the entry hall, and while talking about Rand, the servant of the house walks in explaining that preparations for Elayne and her party to leave are nearly ready. There's also a minor note between Elayne and Aviendha about the true reasoning behind this tour is not to gain men (because all the men fit for battle have already departed for Caemlyn when wind of trouble first started), but to spread news that Elayne is alive, and cares for her people and kingdom, to gain support for her to actually take the throne in the near future.

Aviendha is about to open a gateway to Travel back to Caemlyn when they feel Rand begin his work on cleansing saidar. Elayne wishes to go to him and help fight, assuming that this is trouble. Aviendha convinces her that this is a horrible idea, and they instead continue the plan of returning to Caemlyn.

## Chapter 11: Talk of Debts (Elayne)

Elayne and her entourage have arrived back at the palace in Caemlyn, by way of traveling. They are greeted by a very quiet palace, with not a single person channeling between all of the Aes Sedai, Windfinders, and Kin who are there. Elayne becomes frustrated and embarrassed when Birgitte appears in the stable yard and makes a bee line straight for Aviendha to check if Elayne has done all the things she is supposed to. 

Upon entering the palace, Elayne, Birgitte, and Aviendha are found by a group of Aes Sedai (Vandene, Merillile, Sareitha, and Careane). They are extremely worried about the massive use of the One Power they can all feel, and want to run in the opposite direction. Elayne refuses. The Aes Sedai also complain about Vandene not doing her fair share of working with the Kin or Windfinders, but Elayne insists she has freedom to take the time to mourn her sister. In reality, Vandene is hunting the Dark friend who killed her sister.

The whole group is then approached by Doilan Mellar, captain of Elayne's bodyguard. He is proud of how he went out of the gates to rescue a group of men from House Luan. However, House Luan is not yet sworn behind Elayne, so instead Elayne punishes Mellar by making him in charge of making sure the men he 'saved' are not here for nefarious reasons. 

## Chapter 12: A Bargain (Elayne)

Elayne takes a bath and discusses with Birgitte and Aviendha how efforts to keep Caemlyn stocked via Gateways (mainly opened by Windfinders) is going. Elayne also thinks about how she wishes Galad and Gawyn could make it back to Caemlyn. The bath is ended abruptly when the Wavemistress Zaida barges in with two Windfinders. She announces that the previous Wavemistress of the Seafolk has died, and she must go to meet with the other Wavemistresses to decide the next Wavemistress of the Seafolk. Zaida also announces her intent to fulfill their bargain by taking as many Aes Sedai with her as she can as instructors. This would leave Caemlyn severely hamstrung in their ability to get supplies, so Elayne negotiates it down to the Seafolk only taking one Aes Sedai, and leaving 8 Windfinders

## Chapter 13: High Seats (Elayne)

Elayne and Aviendha are nearly done dressing after the bath, when Birgitte walks in to tell Elayne that Dyelin has returned with the heads of 4 major houses. They proceed to the fancy meeting room to find that the reason Birgitte as confused is that the House Seats which have been sent are all teenagers! Specifically, Perival Mantear, Catalyn Haevin, Branlet Gilyard, Conail Northan. They go on to each proudly say that their House stands for Trakand, and make some or other mistake or twitch that reveals how new they are to being a High Seat. After the High Seats leave, Elayne, Aviendha, Birgitte, and Dyelin discuss for a moment how much this situation sucks, but is not untennable. The chapter ends with a servant announcing that the head maid and finance guy are ready to see Elayne.

## Chapter 14: What Wise Ones Know (Elayne)

Reene Harfor, the First Maid, and Halwin Norry, the First Clerk give reports to Elayne, Aviendha, Birgitte, and Dyelin about latest efforts to find a feed false information to spies, to block sabotage from people (including mercenaries in the guard) bribed by Arymilla, and to improve relations with bankers. It's not great. After dismissing the two of them, the 4 ladies turn to discussing the Borderlander armies that Elayne made a deal with in the last book. That's not looking great either.

They are interrupted when Monaelle, a Wise One, and Sumeko Karistovan, a Kinswoman, enter to use a weaving to check on Elayne and her baby. Monaelle announces that Elayne will have twins. The chapter concludes with a guard entering and sharing the news that Merilille and a Sea Folk apprentice are trying to leave the city.

## Chapter 15: Gathering Darkness (Elenia ?? & Daved Hanlon/Doilan Mellar)

The chapter starts with a very long and dry POV from Elenia, wife of a High Seat who is in Arymilla's camp, where we see her try to make a deal with a High Lady for fealty in a separate attempt for the crown. It sure is a lot of politics involving a lot of houses

Halfway through the chapter we switch to the POV of Doilan Mellar, a significant member of the army in Caemlyn (who we already knew was a Darkfriend, and is actually named Daved Hanlon), as he sneaks about Caemlyn in the night. He is being stalked, and pulls around a corner in order to catch his stalker and murder them, leaving the body in an alley and trying to make it look like a cutpurse did it. Hanlon is unable to identify the body, though, and he worries about who he might have angered or aroused suspicion in inside the palace that would set a tail on him. He then proceeds to the house of Shiaine Avarhin, a very minor house that some assume has died out. While waiting to meet with the Lady, we see Danlon talk to Falion, an Aes Sedai of the Black Ajah who must have angered the Dark One to be condemned to being a servant. The chapter concludes with Hanlon meeting with Shiaine, who gives him orders to do more to cause chaos in Caemlyn.

## Chapter 16: The Subject of Negotiations (Egwene)

> It's finally the next day! Only took 400 pages

We go to Egwene, on the river bank opposite Tar Valon, as she watches another group of boats full of soldiers arrive in Tar Valon. Gareth Bryne tries to convince her (repeatedly) that continuing to wait before attacking Tar Valon only increases the possible death toll, but Egwene still refuses and wishes to find another way. We also learn that since Egwene manipulated the Hall into declaring war on Elaida, they have set a group of "advisors" to effectively spy on Egwene. Fortunately for Egwene, she already has a sister from each Ajah who has sworn fealty directly to her, and each of them are able to worm their way into this position so that there is less spying and more intentional leaking of informatino going on.

The whole party of Egwene, her advisors, Bryne, and the collection of soldiers begin heading back to camp when Delana Sedia, a Sitter, approaches, and desires to talk privately with Egwene. Delana reveals that she has heard talk from several sisters, including other Sitters, of trying to open negotiations with Elaida. Egwene reacts by calling her advisors close to hear the information themselves, and they all react with incredulity. With the exception of Beonin, who thinks it might be worth it to try healing the Tower. The chapter concludes with Egwene giving permission to Beonin to take the sisters the Delana and try to have negotiations, on the condition that Elaida resign and is exiled.

## Chapter 17: Secrets (Egwene)

Upon dismissing Delana, Egwene's advisors continue to discuss how insane the idea of trying to talk to Elaida is. Egwene is not swayed. Upon returning to camp, they all go separate directions, as Egwene realizes that she is unusually camouflaged and unlikely to be recognized, so she decides to go on a walk to observe things in camp. She witnesses Phaedrine and Shemari, two Brown sisters, emerging from a Traveling gateway, and wonders what they are up to. Egwene continues and finds another tent that she decides to enter to check on the goings on. Turns out, this is the tent where they are making cuendillar. With a few hints from Moghedien before she got away, Egwene was able to figure out the weave, although it is very difficult and most sisters take at least an hour to transform a cup from iron to cuendillar. There's a lot of cryptic sentences about how to other sisters, the purpose of this is to eventually start selling it to finance the seige on Tar Valon, but not yet, and actually there's another purpose behind this, but it's not revealed yet.

There's also a lot of Aes Sedia politicking, between new novices that are actually the age of a grandma, and people not liking a couple specific novices. There's too many names thrown around for me to take note of here yet. Egwene then moves on to finally take a break.

## Chapter 18: A Chat with Siuan (Egwene)

After making it back to the Amyrlin's Study (which is just another tent), Egwene is surprised to find Halima waiting for her there. Halima, in barely veiled tones, really wants to stay and get Egwene to talk to her and accidentally reveal things. Egwene insists that she has work to do, and *just so happens* to start getting a headache while insisting Halima leave. 

The rest of the chapter is Egwene and Siuan reviewing the reports from various eyes-and-ears that Siuan gathered. There's a lot of various topics, from rumors of Gareth Bryne planning on just appearing in the streets of Tar Valon with his army, to some leaders in the west are dead, to a new seige happening in Tear but a sister that was sent to Rand was seen there, which leads to Egwene worrying about what has Rand done to get Aes Sedai to appearedly follow orders from him. The chapter concludes with several sisters coming in to announce that Akarrin has returned and called for the Hall to meet and receive a report.

## Chapter 19: Surprises (Egwene)

The report that is to be given in the Hall is from a delegation of sisters who went to investigate the enourmous surge of power after it was gone. They testified that saidin and saidar were used, in amounts that should have been impossible, and that where the city of Shadar Logoth used to stand, is now only a massive hole, 1.5 miles deep and 3 miles around. Then tensions grow even more as the Hall barely is able to agree that they must send a delegation to the Black Tower.

## Chapter 20: In The Night (Egwene)

After talks of who and how to send to the Black Tower ended late in the night with literally nothing decided, Egwene finally retires to bed. (and notices along the way that her headache is completely gone). When she makes it to her tent, she finds Chesa there and not Halima, who shames her into finally eating a meal for today. Egwene retires to bed and asks Elayne to visit her in Tel'aran'rhiod. When Aviendha meets her instead, she grows worried until Aviendha says that Elayne tried, but the flows "kept slipping away because of the babies". Egwene warns Aviendha of the decision to send sisters to the Black Tower, concerned for how the extra sisters near Caemlyn could affect the things going on there.

Egwene says goodbye to Aviendha and begins dreaming her 'real dreams' that is minor future sight. She sees Matt, doing something that continually causes the death of many men who willingly go to their death. She then sees a dream that she will be saved by a Seanchan, and a third dream that the Seanchan will attack the White Tower. The chapter concludes with Egwene being woken very early morning with news from Nisao that in the night Anaiya and her Warder were killed with saidin, and Egwene setting her on a secret task to find the killer (who we know for sure by now is Halima, but they still haven't realized anything unusual about her).

## Chapter 21: A Mark (Alviarin)

Alviarin has returned to the White Tower after a month of absence. When she goes to talk to Elaida, she finds a worrying number of Sisters (and Sitters) meeting with Elaida and is told to stand and wait in the corner. This makes Alviarin furious. When the other sisters are dismissed, she is prepared to figuratively ran fire on Elaida, and instead Elaida threatens her, and uses words to hint that Elaida knows Alviarin is Black Ajah, and is nearly ready to officially charge her. This scares Alviarin to the bone, and she rushes to her rooms and uses a ter'angreal that summons her master, Mesaana the Forsaken. Mesaana is prepared to punish and discard Alviarin, when the special Myrdraal appears wearing illustrious armor and binds Mesaana. Alviarin is convinced that this is the Dark One himself wearing the body of a Mydraal, and he 'touches' her, marking her as his own, and banning Mesaana from doing any harm to her.

## Chapter 22: One Answer (Pevara)

This short chapter is from the POV of Pevara Sedai, leader of the Red Ajah in the White Tower. In her rooms, Tarna is meeting with her to discuss her attempt to visit the Aes Sedai in Salidar, as well as Tarna's unintentional chance avoided meeting with an Asha'man recruiting party. Tarna is now even more worried of what to do about the Asha'man, and suggests that the Red Ajah must bond them. Pevara decides that this is a good time to share a small note, which Tarna is only the third person to read, from Toveine (who I think is from Elaida's delegation to Rand, and is sworn to him). Context clues say that this note told of saidin being cleansed.

## Chapter 23: Ornaments (Cadsuane)

We open now from the POV of Cadsaune Sedai, who we last saw right after Rand finished cleansing saidin. Appearedly, Cadsuane convinced Rand to bring the whole party to rest/take shelter at a manor she is familiar with on the edge of Tear belonging to one Algarin. Cadsuane is in her room when Verin walks in and tells that she finished dropping of the Sea Folk of their party in Tear, where apparently the Sea Folk have the Stone of Tear under seige. Min also comes in to say that Rand has asked for Cadsuane, and is dismissed. Verin talks of some politics in Tear, and Cadsuane uses Rand's summons as an excuse to not have to respond.

On the way to Rand, Cadsuane stops on a walk overlooking a courtyard and talks with Merise Sedai while they watch some Warders train with swords (specifically, Merise's Warder Jahar the Asha'man and Lan). They discuss around the point of how much unknown ground there is related to Asha'man.