Traveling east in their coach, Nynaeve gets pissy over having to play the role of Elayne’s servant. They meet Master Luca, the ringmaster of a traveling circus, by the side of the road. He has fallen on hard times, and begs to perform for them. Elayne declines, but insists on giving him money. Still feeling out of sorts, Nynaeve stiffs him with a silver penny. When they reach the town of Sienda, all they can find is a single cramped room, but Nynaeve needs to meet Egwene in the World of Dreams, so they take it.
Meanwhile, in Amadicia, Elayne sits in the newly-acquired coach and endures Nynaeve’s caustic attitude.
NYNAEVE: Is my Lady bored? The way my Lady is staring at the countryside — down my Lady’s nose — I think my Lady must want to travel faster.
She yells at Thom to pick up the pace.
NYNAEVE: Is my Lady uncomfortable? I know ladies are used to comfort, the sort of thing a poor maid wouldn’t know about, but surely my Lady wants to make the next town before dark? So my Lady’s maid can serve my Lady’s supper and turn down my Lady’s bed?
This isn’t my first time observing what an oppressive bitch Nynaeve can be, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. She’s acting like someone nominated her for Most Likable Woman in the Westlands and she’s horrified she might win.
ELAYNE: I have been thinking, Nynaeve. I want to reach Tar Valon and find out what is going on, but–
NYNAEVE: Oh, no! My Lady has been thinking? My Lady must have a headache from all that effort.
Just when you get the feeling that you want to strangle Nynaeve, the coach screeches to a halt. On the side of the road is a “traveling menagerie” — or in modern terms, a circus. Master Luca introduces himself and begs permission for his troupe to perform for the Lady. Alas, she declines, but tells Nynaeve to give him some money, and they ride off.
ELAYNE: How much did you give him?
NYNAEVE: A silver penny.
ELAYNE: What?!?
She may as well have called out, “Get a real job, you damn hippies!” Hey Nynaeve, I heard there are some homeless people who sleep down by the docks in Illian. Maybe you should go shove some of them into the drink for sport!
And so, they arrive at the village of Sienda. The town only has two inns, and one of them is undergoing repairs after Master Luca’s circus destroyed its front door. The only room left in the other inn is barely big enough for Elayne, Nynaeve, and their belongings to spend the night. Thom and Juilin have to sleep in the stable. That suits Nynaeve fine, because she’s going to bed early. She’s meeting Egwene in the World of Dreams tonight, and she doesn’t want to be late.