Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve encounter an Aiel woman named Aviendha. She has an injured companion, whom Nynaeve Heals.
The unexpected visitor is an Aiel woman who introduces herself as Aviendha. She is accompanied by other Maidens of the Spear, probably searching for He Who Comes With the Dawn, like all the other Aiel who crossed the Spine. Far from being a threat to Egwene, Elayne, and Nynaeve, Aviendha begs for their help to Heal an injured Maiden. Without waiting for anyone else’s input, Nynaeve promises to attempt Healing.
As they walk to the injured woman, they learn about Aiel women. Bain, one of Aviendha’s companions, asks if Elayne and Egwene are first-sisters. This leads to a detailed explanation of how Aiel women can become sisters through ceremony, and she calls special attention to the fact that first-sisters “guard each other’s backs” and won’t “let a man come to her without the other.” In other words, every sisterhood is just a threesome waiting to happen. Careful, Bain — keep talking about Aiel sexy times, and you’re going to make our heroic ladies from conservative Andor faint before they can Heal your friend.
When they arrive at the injured Aiel woman, Nynaeve is the only one who can possibly do it, as she has a photographic memory when it comes to channeling. So she works herself into a frenzy of anger over how senseless the injury was, and Heals the wound effortlessly once she is able to touch saidar.