The Great Hunt

The women emerge from the Waygate right into a waiting group of Seanchan soldiers led by the High Lady Suroth. Immediately, Liandrin introduces Egwene and Nynaeve as “the two of whom you were told” (564). Two Seanchan women and a male soldier approach carrying a’dam. The soldier grabs Min and Elayne, but Nynaeve triggers a gale force wind and summons lightning, allowing herself and Elayne to escape. One of the women then fastens the a’dam around Egwene’s neck. When she cannot get it loose, she punches the woman in the face only to feel an even harder blow herself. The woman calmly informs Egwene that she is now a damane, a Leashed One, and any injury the master of the a’dam feels, the Leashed One will feel twice over. Egwene, noticing that Elayne and Nynaeve are gone, beseeches Liandrin for help, but the Aes Sedai ignores her. Seeing flashes of lightning in the distance gives her hope that Nynaeve can rescue her.

Suroth approaches Liandrin, claiming, “’You were to bring me two’” (567) to which Liandrin replies she has brought three, and if Suroth and her minions cannot hold them, it is not her problem. They bicker, making references to their mutual “Master” and what the future holds for them if he is displeased.