I thought that, too, Arella. Or they may blend Valda with Carradin and make him a darkfriend. If that's the case, it's possible she's shielded. But that's just a theory without any basis.
Double-posting because I really love how intact they kept Aridhol. It speaks to its Ogier masonry and lays a good foundation for that tidbit later. It's a tiny detail, but if I didn't love tiny details, WoT wouldn't be my favorite :lol
I had a comparable reaction to the mention of the "blind Aes Sedai". While the visually impaired could certainly channel, it seems unlikely the White Tower would have the patience to teach someone the dexterity needed to pass the Accepted test. That's not to say it's impossible, but it's...