Nynaeve and Elayne completely botch the “stealth” part of “stealth mission” and invite Egeanin over for tea. Egeanin’s world view is shattered when she realizes channelers are people after all. Later, a female Forsaken drops in on Nynaeve and Elayne, hypnotizing them into spilling all their secrets.
Finally, a break from Perrito and the Two Rivers bumpkins.
Egeanin is tailing Gelb and his associates through the streets of Tanchico. She expects he’ll attempt to kidnap yet another woman from Egeanin’s list, which irks her because he always fucks it up and makes a mess. Nynaeve and Elayne walk by, and Gelb’s crew makes a grab for them. Both women are armed with barrel staves — using the One Power could blow their cover and is an absolute last resort — so they start clubbing their attackers over the head. Egeanin joins them in the fight and takes out some of the men. Unfortunately, Elayne has to surreptitiously channel to save Egeanin’s life. Oopsies — hopefully nobody saw that!
When all the goons are laid flat, Nynaeve introduces herself and Elayne. Gallingly, she uses their true first and last names, then invites Egeanin back to their inn for tea. Jesus, Nynaeve — I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, but you’re coming off like a schoolgirl with a “kidnap me” sign taped to her back. Go ahead, talk to strangers. Give them your full name. Show them your house. Tell them what your mommy does for a living. Oh, she sounds suspiciously similar to the Seanchan, who tried to enslave you in Falme? Not to worry, pure coincidence. Hey, maybe if you’re extra nice to her, she’ll give you some candy!
Just as gallingly, Egeanin — who has been using a pseudonym with Gelb — introduces herself by her true name. To strangers who can channel — and Egeanin did notice Elayne channel. Yet she doesn’t try to disguise her Seanchan accent. Assuming Egeanin wants to capture these channelers like the uncivilized animals they are, this is a horrible strategy. Lucky for Egeanin, neither Elayne nor Nynaeve seems to catch on. Clearly this is a game of Dumb vs. Dumber, and I honestly cannot tell which is which.
On the way to the inn, Elayne confronts the fact that Egeanin saw her channel. She and Nynaeve still don’t realize they’re in the company of a Seanchan, and they try to reassure Egeanin that Aes Sedai are not to be feared. God, I get it that Jordan loves him some dramatic irony, but this just feels forced. The payoff here had better be good.
On reaching the inn, Juilin is waiting. He boldly declares that he “found them,” then sees Egeanin and becomes circumspect. Choosing his words carefully, he tells them about the house where the Thirteen were staying until just recently. Nynaeve seemingly gains self-awareness for the first time in this chapter and asks for a private room where they can have tea. But there, the naive, childlike openness continues unabated as they chat about their parentage like gossiping high-school students in a cafeteria.
Thom interrupts, bringing news that the Lady Amathera is to be raised as Panarch. He says it’s odd because the public believes the politicians rejected her. What will happen? Rioting in the streets, he says. But aside from being a dramatic gleeman, Thom is also a gentleman, so he took the liberty of procuring bodyguards from Captain Domon. Nynaeve banishes him with a glare, but the “girl talk” moment has fizzled, and Egeanin excuses herself as well. Nynaeve is sure Egeanin acted surprised when she heard Domon’s name.
As Nynaeve and Elayne strategize, the innkeeper interrupts. Someone is here to see them. The visitor is a woman who doesn’t know their names, but can describe exactly what they look like. Mysterious!
Do we:
(A) Pretend we’re not here.
(B) Sneak out the back way.
(C) Panic.
(D) Invite her up for tea and cake.
Of course Nynaeve goes with D, and a woman in a shimmering black dress walks in, instantly charming Nynaeve and Elayne into compliance. Suddenly, they will do anything to please this woman. Clearly they are victims of a compulsion weave, and this woman must be one of the Forsaken. The mystery woman listens as they spill everything about their business in Tanchico, including their search for an artifact that is dangerous to Rand. Satisfied she has learned all she can, the mystery woman leaves, programming Elayne’s and Nynaeve’s minds to forget she was ever there.
Meanwhile, Egeanin is reeling from the revelation that channeling can be taught. And she is disturbed that Elayne and Nynaeve seemed so likeable and… and human? Oh, the cognitive dissonance!