Chapter 36: Among the Elders

Juin leads the group into the Elders' hall at Stedding Tsofu while Loial waits outside, unnerved by watching Ogier women. The Eldest, Alar, warns that the Ways risk death, madness, and the soul itself. She has Trayal brought in—an Ogier who came out of the Ways hollowed out, no mind and no soul left. Verin lays hands on him and confirms it.

Alar feels how strongly ta'veren Rand is and makes him promise to see Loial safely home to Stedding Shangtai. Outside, Loial admits Erith gave him a trueheart blossom and called him handsome.

At the Waygate, Verin plucks the Avendesora leaf, but the opening reveals only pitch blackness. Machin Shin is waiting. She reseals the gate. Alar has never heard of the Black Wind lying in wait at a gate. Verin wonders at finding it first in Cairhien and now here, and gives Rand a sidelong look that seems to tie him to it.

Ingtar declares he will ride back to Cairhien and force Barthanes to give up where the Darkfriends went. Hurin suggests a Portal Stone to cross to Toman Head through another world. Verin knows how to work them. Alar says there is a Stone standing not far from the stedding.