Towers of Midnight/Chapter 3

==Summary==
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While dreaming, Egwene al'Vere calls Nynaeve al'Meara back to the White Tower and then she also has some true dreams. She infers from one that Mesaana is still in the tower, somehow being able to out-maneuver the Oath Rod. Her Keeper, Silviana Brehon, then informs her that the Dragon Reborn has come to the White Tower to bid an audience.
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Siuan Sanche is walking the halls of the White Tower with the Captain of the Tower Guard, Jimar Chubain, and the Brown, Saerin Asnobar, after hearing the former racing by with the news of Rand al'Thor's presence. She has already summoned her Warder, Gareth Bryne back by messenger as she feels she will need his steadying presence.
Chubain is worried that he'll be losing his captaincy to Gareth Bryne, and the fact that Rand al'Thor entered the White Tower freely could be a reason, but Siuan knows this won't happen as Gareth will be needed instead as a Field General at the Last Battle.
Though Rand al'Thor comes alone, accepting to be shielded and encircled by a hundred of warders, the sisters in Tower's corridors are almost panicking, suspecting that Rand is playing some game and wondering why he comes.
The three, while heading for the Hall of the Tower come across yet another section of the tower in which the Dark One's power has been made manifest, turning the floor stones a wet blood red. While walking, Siuan contemplates her changed role in managing Dragon Reborn and in the upcoming Last Battle.
Gareth joins the three and shortly he and Siuan are filing in to the large antechamber. When she spots Rand al'Thor, he turns and, ignoring the two full circles shielding him and the ring of Warders surrounding him, walks straight to Siuan and greets her by name. She is surprised by Rand's eyes looking like experiencing thousands lives and an ageless face, similar to those of Aes Sedai. Stunned warders let him pass. He also recognizes that Gareth became Siuan's warder and asks what kind of Amyrlin Egwene has become and notes that Siuan has changed since the last time they met. He mentions it will not be easy for him to meet the Amyrlin as she was his first love. Siuan is surprised that a male channeler is not afraid to be in the White Tower.
Tiana Noselle gives Rand a sealed letter she promised to deliver from someone else, most probably Verin, saying that she would never believe he really comes. Rand asks Siuan to appease Egwene after he finishes and enters the Hall of the Tower. Nobody seems able to stop him.
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Egwene meets with Rand, prepared to be hard, but she is surprised by his diplomacy and calmness. Rand explains that he was broken and reforged again, that the Dark One almost got him. He mentions that he hated Aes Sedai and was afraid of them. He also admits that he didn't want his deeds to be overcome by the acts of Aes Sedai, though he should rather be thankful for so many "culprits" to be blamed for his "crimes". Egwene is still considering his sanity, what he understands. However, he refuses to be tested as he has not enough time and too many things to do. He comes only to announce his plans to allow Aes Sedai to prepare. He plans to break the seals on the Dark One's Prison at Shayol Ghul in one month's time and needs the help of female channelers to seal him back in for good. Egwene is reluctant to accept this idea, but Rand simply asks her to meet him one day before he goes to Shayol Ghul to talk about his conditions. She asks herself if she could imprison him, but she is not finding this a good idea and feels that he could break the shields easily. When Rand leaves, she notices that his left hand is gone. Other sisters, overwhelmed by Rand's ta'veren nature, are asking her how she could think during this conversation. Then Egwene reconvenes the Hall in one hour's time to plan what to do with the month they have been given.
==Characters==
* Egwene al'Vere
* Silviana Brehon
* Barasine
* Siuan Sanche
* Captain Jimar Chubain
* Saerin Asnobar
* Gareth Bryne
* Rand al'Thor
* Gawyn Trakand
* Tiana Noselle
* Yukiri
* Hall of the Tower under Egwene al'Vere
===Referenced===
* Nynaeve al'Meara
* Elayne Trakand
* Mesaana
* Elaida a'Roihan
* Verin Mathwin
* Sheriam Bayanar
* Moiraine Damodred
* Morgase Trakand
* Cadsuane Melaidhrin
* Pevara Tazanovni
* Javindhra Doraille
* Duhara Basaheen
* Lews Therin
* Perrin Aybara
* Mat Cauthon
==Groups==
* Aes Sedai
* Tower Guard
==Places==
* Tar Valon
* White Tower
===Referenced===
* Shayol Ghul
* Field of Merrilor
* Two Rivers
* Aiel Waste
==Items==
===Referenced===
* Oath Rod
==Concepts==
===One Power===
* Linking
==Culture==
===Sayings===