Egwene’s arrival at the White Tower brings her into contact with old and new faces, including Elayne, Min, Gawyn, and a sinister Elaida, all of whom seem to have a vested interest in the boys from Emond’s Field.
An Accepted named Pedra shows Egwene to her room in the White Tower. Egwene sticks out her tongue at Pedra’s back — proving the novice quarters are exactly where she belongs.
Egwene’s roommate turns out to be Elayne, whom we have not seen since Chapter 40: The Web Tightens in The Eye of the World. Introductions are fast and easy because they both sort of know each other through Rand. Heading out of their room, Egwene and Elayne encounter Logain, who is a mere wisp of what he used to be. Egwene shares that Rand went off riding with Shienaran soldiers, but obviously keeps the whole channeling business to herself.
In the garden, Egwene meets Min again, who is here at Moiraine’s insistence. Gawyn shows up with Galad in tow, and immediately Egwene understands every bad decision ever made in the history of romance. Before things can escalate to marriage proposals, Elaida shows up and chases the men away. Ever since their encounter in Queen Morgase’s court, Elaida has developed a bit of an obsession with finding out everything she can about Rand. On the one hand, it’s understandable since she could tell he’ll be a force for change in the world. On the other, Elaida is a member of the Red Ajah, and that’s kind of like belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses — their members are extremely devout, and everyone else just wants them to stay the fuck away.
Unfortunately, it’s easy for an Aes Sedai to tell two novices to get lost. Uh oh, Min — you just got stuck with answering the front door.