Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne arrive at Tear. They find lodging with a Wise Woman, Mother Guenna, who then runs off to fetch a thief-taker that can locate Liandrin.
Unless Egwene is exaggerating, the journey from Jurene to Tear has been one prolonged puke-fest, and the captain of the Darter is eager to be rid of the women. The crew unceremoniously dumps their horses’ tack onto the ground, eliciting braid tug number twenty-three from Nynaeve. Welcome to Tear.
Nynaeve confesses that she has no idea how to locate Liandrin. Elayne says a thief-taker — basically a Wheel of Time P.I. — would be ideal. Unfortunately, in Elayne’s experience, they usually work for lords, so there is no low-profile way to hire one. They’ll need a place to stay, but Nynaeve insists on avoiding inns. Liandrin and her friends will be watching those, she says. I don’t know if she’s right, but based on what Mat overheard, it’s a fair bet that someone nefarious is actively looking for them. Instead, Nynaeve leads the way to the nearest Wise Woman — Mother Guenna.
Nynaeve asks Mother Guenna for something to soothe their upset stomachs. With barely a pause, the two women begin talking shop, oblivious to the very real possibility that Egwene and Elayne could perish from sheer boredom. Ladies, I know exactly how you feel.
Nynaeve finally cuts to the chase and asks Guenna if she has a room to let, but Guenna insists on knowing their business in Tear. Practicing adherence to the Three Oaths, Nynaeve tells her they are chasing after murderers and thieves — Darkfriends — who stole from her mother. Then Mother Guenna just happens to know a thief-taker — Juilin Sandar — who is available for them. Guenna hurries out of the house to fetch Juilin.
Once she is gone, Egwene knows exactly what to say.
EGWENE: You are learning how to be Aes Sedai, Maryim. You manipulate people as well as Moiraine.
The room goes silent. Elayne walks right up to Egwene and slaps her in the face! Yes! Elayne, our hero! We’ve all been wanting to do that for two and a half books! Egwene reacts audaciously, forcing Elayne to explain what a five year old would have known.
ELAYNE: Careless talk costs lives, bitch.