2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos

[Aduiavas Ida]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Yes, I am not a big fan of early Egwene, but Egwene post-Aiel and Egwene the Amyrlin are not so bad

And Egwene the captive novice is made of AWESOME!

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Hear, hear!

Just read the first chapter or two for this week. Oh gosh the Salidar embassy is nutty. What in the world were they thinking, confronting Rand like that? What did they think was going to happen? Merana's thoughts afterward about Verin subtly instigating the whole thing were very interesting, knowing what we do about Verin now.

 

[Ryu Shadowborn]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

What in the world were they thinking, confronting Rand like that? What did they think was going to happen?

They weren't, and they thought he was gonna bow and scrape like most people do when an Aes Sedai looks in their general direction.

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

:tug

 

[Imzadi Hopewind]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Yeah, I wonder if Verin did this at the order of Black Ajah and/or Forsaken ones? So Rand moves on to Cairhien?

 

[Ryu Shadowborn]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Yeah, I wonder if Verin did this at the order of Black Ajah and/or Forsaken ones? So Rand moves on to Cairhien?

I don't think so, unless Verin knew that the other two Aes Sedai were coming from Cairhien/the waste, since it was Min showing up with the news of "two more, making 13 in total" is what made Rand leave.

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

She could have just been trying to sabotage the embassy's efforts, to sow chaos by preventing/delaying Rand from choosing a Tower side. Or making him more distrustful of Aes Sedai in general, since that wasn't exactly the best way to approach him. :facepalm

 

[Rhed al'Tere]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Verin is basically playing at three sides. Aes Sedai, Black Ajah, and her own personal motives. She has to weigh which is more important at every juncture. I just can't imagine trying to juggle all that -- keeping Aes Sedai from knowing she's "Black", and keeping Black from knowing she's not really. I think my head would explode.

 

[Kassina Tendar]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

So... this has been bugging me. Nynaeve and Elayne are having trouble finding the right house in Ebou Dar. Why don't they just d the 'search by need' thing to find it again and then fly high above the buildings to get a birds' eye view and see where the house is generally? That seems like it'd be so much easier! Or do they try this and I'm just forgetting?

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

It's mentioned in one of this week's chapter that that method only works once. Even the Wise Ones don't know why.

Also, coincidence or clever planning by Mother that this week we have a chapter called Feast of Lights.

 

[Kassina Tendar]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Oh, thank you! I must have forgotten that.

 

[Rhed al'Tere]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

I'm going to claim I'm that clever.

Chapter 31
To Valda, it doesn't matter that Rand is the Dragon -- he can channel and needs killed.
Valda killed anyone on the road, Prophet's men or not.
Tol Valda, proof of guilt is merely an icety.
Valda possibly scheming to overthrow Niall.
But Asunawa is already overthrowing.
What's happening to Whitecloak patrols in Tarabon?
Seanchan are in Tanchico.
Morgase is afraid the Tower will make Elayne their puppet -- that's what pushes her to sign the treaty.
Playing stones is WoT's version of Netflix & chill.

Chapter 32
All the bits and pieces of other cultures' channelers are coming together in Egwene.
Egwene recognizes that a part of her life is over -- her Aiel life.
Is part of what's wrong with Rand that he went too often into Tel'aran'rhiod in the flesh?

Chapter 33
Mat makes the connection between Snakes & Foxes and the A/Eelfinn, though he discounts the connection.
Rand shows no emotion.
Rand insistent that Mat doesn't leave Elayne's side till they're in Caemlyn. Why?
Rand and Mat both think to "save" Egwene.
Mat sees Moiraine's letter to Thom for the first time.
Toh does not exist once met.
Sorilea: "We are always more afraid that we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expected. Hold on to your heart, and the Aes Sedai cannot harm what is really you, your heart."
Egwnee: "She had done what she had to do here; she had been Aiel."

Chapter 34
Egwene doesn't expect Bela to run like the wind.
What else are the Yellows doing, building off of Nynaeve's Healing stilling?

Chapter 35
In the Hall ceremony, do they line up by strength?

Chapter 36
Anaiya is very sterotypically girly: Lace and frills.
The Aes Sedai around Egwene are already showing that they expect to be the power behind her -- discounting and ignoring her questions.
They also believe that with Egwene as Amyrlin, things will be easier?
Here, the Hall lines up by age.
Egwene knows that the Aes Sedai intend to "lead" her.

Chapter 37
Egwene is starting to plan a wider association of channelers already, and she drops the age limit for joining the Tower.
Egwene: "My dream is for every woman who can channel to be connected to the Tower somehow."
Egwene knowing Traveling scares Moghedian more than anything else.
Nynaeve curses out loud. Is this the first time?
Suian sees Egwene won't be a puppet, and she immediately accepts and rolls with it.
Romana thinks it was Sheriam's idea to raise the almost-Aes Sedai to Aes Sedai.
Romanda and Lelaine's factions voted for Egwene to keep the other from being Amyrlin.
Delana is trying to support both Romanda and Lelaine.
Halima wants Logain unable to feel her power, so she avoids him and is truly panicked when he can channel again.
Suian is looking forward to teaching Egwene how to be Amyrlin.

Chapter 38
Why does Olver make Aviendha uneasy? Something from the rings? Or is it that she can feel his hate?
There are no flies in Salidar; the Blues' trick of attracting or repelling insects is probably at work.
Nicola can see ta'veren.

 

[Rhed al'Tere]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Alviarin is good at 'applying the question' and Siuan somehow knows this.

Wasn't Al one of the ones questioning Siuan in the Tower?

Egwene forcing Siuan into obedience which is a great accomplishment itself.

I actually don't think Egwene forced Siuan into obedience. Siuan merely recognized that Egwene was truly Amyrlin, and her 40 years of Tower training to be deferential toward those stronger or in a higher position than yourself kicked in

 

[Maibella ni Rhoiden t'al'Varrak]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

I actually don't think Egwene forced Siuan into obedience. Siuan merely recognized that Egwene was truly Amyrlin, and her 40 years of Tower training to be deferential toward those stronger or in a higher position than yourself kicked in

I agree with the first part - that Siuan recognized Egwene as truly being Amyrlin. But I think that Siuan followed her because 1) she saw the potential for Egwene to be a truly great Amyrlin, and 2) she recognized the opportunity to use her vast experience to train and educate - but not lead - Egwene. Siuan enjoys having power (I don't mean in an evil way) and her role with Egwene gives that to her whereas it is lacking in the rest of her life at present.

 

[Ellura DeLoir]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Is part of what's wrong with Rand that he went too often into Tel'aran'rhiod in the flesh?

I hadn't thought of that at all, but I like it as part of the reason why he's able to hear LTT in his head? If that makes sense Like being there in the flesh links him to his other life or something??

Rand insistent that Mat doesn't leave Elayne's side till they're in Caemlyn. Why?

I thought it had to do with a mindset of "needing a man to protect her" type of thing:rolleyes as well as acting as a sort of hurry up and get back to Caemlyn tactic?

Sorilea: "We are always more afraid that we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expected. Hold on to your heart, and the Aes Sedai cannot harm what is really you, your heart."

this may be one of my top 5 favourite quotes from the entire series

Why does Olver make Aviendha uneasy? Something from the rings? Or is it that she can feel his hate?

I think she saw something about having children in the rings? I don't remember if she's accepted her feelings for Rand at this point, so that may be part of it?

I agree with the first part - that Siuan recognized Egwene as truly being Amyrlin. But I think that Siuan followed her because 1) she saw the potential for Egwene to be a truly great Amyrlin, and 2) she recognized the opportunity to use her vast experience to train and educate - but not lead - Egwene. Siuan enjoys having power (I don't mean in an evil way) and her role with Egwene gives that to her whereas it is lacking in the rest of her life at present.

I agree - I think Siuan recognized right away that she wouldn't be able to manipulate Egwene so that she(Siuan) was in charge, and from that the best way for her to have the most power and influence would be for her to help Egwene become the best Amyrlin possible

 

[Megana Vallentin]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

I'm going to claim I'm that clever.

Some really great Perrin stuff this week too. Faile is being dumb again, but the scene where Perrin is chasing her around the table and Berelain is chasing Perrin is one that stands out very strong in my memories of the entire series. (Probably because I was all srsly wtf Faile???) Also, when Perrin tells the wolves that Rand has been captured...SO epic!

 

[Kassina Tendar]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Wasn't Al one of the ones questioning Siuan in the Tower?

Oh! That's interesting and definitely explains it. That makes a lot of sense since she's the Keeper. This is why I like reading with other people. You guys catch things that I don't.

 

[Ryu Shadowborn]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Playing stones is WoT's version of Netflix & chill

That puts the scene where Loial and Faile play stones all day while perrin watches in a way different context.

Sorilea: "We are always more afraid that we wish to be, but we can always be braver than we expected. Hold on to your heart, and the Aes Sedai cannot harm what is really you, your heart."

I love that quote.

 

[Imzadi Hopewind]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

Good that I know what Netflix & chill means now, after some newspaper explained it! :shifty

 

[Rhed al'Tere]

Re: 2015 Re-Readalong: Lord of Chaos, Chapters 49-54

That puts the scene where Loial and Faile play stones all day while perrin watches in a way different context.

It does.