Welcome back to my re-read, recap, and reaction to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. This post will only have spoilers through the current chapter.
You can find my previous chapter recaps HERE.
Chapter 18: A Hound of Darkness
NOTE: The following chapter summary comes from wot.fandom.com
Point of view: Liandrin
Liandrin is riding through Amador on her way to Jorin Arene‘s house, where she and the rest of the Black Sisters are staying. The group is awaiting orders from the White Tower, but they have not received any since Elaida deposed Siuan Sanche. Amellia Arene directs Liandrin upstairs to where the other sisters are. There is another woman there―a recent arrival, perhaps from Tar Valon. When Liandrin enters she finds nine sisters standing, rather than sitting and the tenth, Temaile Kinderode, handing tea to a woman, who is clearly not Aes Sedai. Suddenly she recognizes the woman as Gyldin, the servant from Tanchico. When she reaches for the source to discipline the woman, though, Gyldin channels first and shields her. She names herself Moghedien.
Moghedien has tested and disciplined all of the other sisters. Now Moghedien tells Liandrin to attempt to fight back so she can show her how futile it is. Liandrin tries to use Compulsion, but is blocked and punished with pain. Then Moghedien shows her what real Compulsion is like by using it on her. Moghedien uses air to bind the ears and mouth of all but those receiving her orders. Liandrin and four of the other sisters are to find Nynaeve al’Meara. Moghedien knows they were in Sienda[1], but does not know where they disappeared to.
REACTION:
Ah, at last! Moghedien! Nynaeve humiliated her at the end of the last book, so I assumed that the sneaky Forsaken would prioritize getting revenge. What took so long, though? Did Moggy get punished by the Dark One for how events in Tanchico went? She did not mention that, but it seems likely.
I am kind of reluctantly impressed by Liandrin’s bravery stupidity. Imagine being a Darkfriend and meeting one of the Forsaken and having the audacity to think you could fight her and win. Since I don’t think she’s learned her lesson yet, Moggy will probably have to dole out some more punishment down the road.
Other than setting the stage for an eventual rematch between the Spider and the Wisdom, the other thing we can kind of infer (it’s subtle) from some of what is said in this chapter is that another one of the Forsaken is in the White Tower. The Aes Sedai have picked up on the fact that they are getting conflicting orders. So… that might not bode well for Elaida who seems to be set on challenging the people who elevated her to the Amyrlin Seat. We might also be seeing, in their inability to work together, the thing that will ultimately prevent the Shadow from winning.
Aside: I wonder if this name is a carry over from an Age where Merlin the Wizard is a thing. A Merlin Seat?
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