The next day, Merean forces Moiraine and Siuan to stay in the White Tower and recopy names of potential Dragon mothers rolling in from the field. Siuan points out that they are in a unique position to create their own list of Women Who Just Might Be the Mother of the Dragon.
The next morning, everyone is hustling to go back out for another fine day of interviewing entitled new mothers.
SHERIAM: OMG you guys, listen to this: my best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who’s going with this girl who saw the Aiel retreating. I guess it’s– what are you two grinning about?
SIUAN: Oh, nothing. [Smirks.]
Sheriam walks away.
MOIRAINE: Can you believe our luck, Siuan? With the Aiel retreating, now we can go to Dragonmount. Guess who’s gonna find the Dragon. We’re gonna find the Dragon. Who’s gonna find the Dragon? We’re gonna find the Dragon. C’mon, let’s go!
Moiraine collides with Merean, the Mistress of Novices, on the way out.
MEREAN: Not so fast, child. I know you said you did not care for your uncles, but clearly you are not in your right mind, so you will remain at the tower today and do busywork.
SIUAN: What a brilliant idea, Merean. [Dancing behind Merean’s back, whispering, “I’m gonna find the Dragon, I’m gonna find the Dragon!”]
MEREAN: And you can keep her company, Siuan.
SIUAN: Awwww!
Merean leaves the room.
MOIRAINE: What the actual fuck, bitch?
SIUAN: Calm down. This is better than going out and taking names ourselves! We can just stay here and copy everyone’s work!
It quickly becomes apparent that the power vacuum in Cairhien created by the Three Assholes Damodred dying has taken the notice of the Aes Sedai. Members of each Ajah come by to gauge, with varying levels of subtlety, how easily Moiraine could be groomed into pursuing a position of power in Cairhienan politics, and Moiraine wants no part of it. After all, how could she find the Dragon if she were playing the Game of Houses? Suddenly she can’t wait to undergo the Aes Sedai test so she can flee the White Tower.