Chapter 38: Practice

In her novice room at the White Tower, Egwene secretly practices channeling while Min watches and Nynaeve paces, still furious after being called up to the Mistress of Novices for striking an Accepted. Min reads Galad: he would hurt someone without noticing, so intent on serving the greater good that the cost would not register.

Elayne arrives with word that King Galldrian of Cairhien is dead, and mentions seeing Logain weeping in the Inner Court. The thought of Rand gentled like Logain chills Egwene. Nynaeve's temper slips and she channels a gust that topples Min from her stool, then has to apologise.

Min, watching the three women, suddenly sees danger gathering around them. Liandrin of the Red Ajah steps in and sends Min and Elayne out. She tells Egwene and Nynaeve that Moiraine has written to the Tower about the boys from their village, that the boys are hunted by the Shadow, and that the two of them can help.

Liandrin orders them to meet her at the Ogier grove an hour before sunset with horses, bound for Toman Head. She warns that the Black Ajah walks the halls of the Tower itself and that they must tell no one. After she leaves, Min and Elayne admit they eavesdropped through a hole in the wall and insist on coming. Min says all four of them are bound to the boys' fate.