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 17: Out On the Ice
NOTE: The following chapter summary comes from wot.fandom.com
Point of view: Egwene al’Vere
Egwene is traveling to the meeting with the Andoran nobles, accompanied by Sheriam, Siuan, Gareth Bryne and all of the sitters from the Hall of the Tower. A large escort of soldiers scout and guard the party which pleases Egwene since there will be more witnesses to what she attempts today. As they near the meeting site Byrne lets Egwene, Romanda and Lelaine know that Lord Talmanes will also be present.
The Andoran nobles state that they will not let the Aes Sedai into Andor because they do not want a battle between the Black Tower and the White Tower to devastate Andor. Egwene tells the nobles her battle is with Elaida, the usurper and that she is the true Amyrlin Seat. Egwene promises to not enter Andor at all. Instead the Aes Sedai will rest for a month and then leave Murandy. She also announces that the Novice book is open to any who have the ability to channel regardless of age.
REACTION:
Should I put together a Wheel of Time Feast Day calendar? And start celebrating on appropriate days? I’m tempted. Honeycakes with hidden prizes baked inside sounds delightful. The current feast getting a mention in the text is The Feast of Abram – which is celebrated with the eating of honey cakes that have prizes baked inside of them. Abram is obviously a reference to the Bible’s Abram / Abraham. If you do a dig outside of the series story (The World of Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time), you’ll learn that this holiday was a feast for travelers and visitors. And that fits because the Hebrews were travelers and visitors.
The implication of this being a Wheel of Time holiday is that either *our* Age’s Abraham continues to be remembered in some fashion, or that he was reborn and lived a life of wandering at some point after the Breaking that is now being remembered.
Eggy meets the Andoran and Murandian nobles. For some context, the Andorans in this group at one point were closely allied with Morgase, but who now hate Morgase due to bad actions the former Queen took when she was under Rahvin’s Compulsion. The big thing we learn here is that Egwene plans to camp in place and then Travel to Tar Valon in one month. That conflict is IMMINENT. Excellent. I hope we get Egwene offering to duel Elaida, one on one, to avoid a larger fight.
(We won’t get that, but it would be awesome.)
Would it be helpful to Elayne if Eggy tells them that Gaebril had actually been Rahvin in disguise? Probably. Did that happen? No. Will it happen in the next chapter? Hopefully.
Halima accompanies Delana to the meeting and everyone just kind of accepts that. So we know one of the Forsaken is aware of the plans. I think she was aware beforehand anyway (she’s been using the One Power on Eggy), but I guess this helps her to void being surprised by any changes at the last minute.
Egwene thinks multiple times about how much she wants to speak with Talmanes. I’m not certain about why, but that should be a fun conversation when it happens, too.
Somehow all of this is supposed to guarantee Egwene finally gets control over the Hall of the Tower (Romanda and Lelaine in particular.) We don’t know how yet, though, so I suppose that’s another secret for chapter 18.
I’ll see you when we get there.
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