The Gathering Storm/Chapter 2

==Summary==
Egwene receives her daily punishment from the Mistress of Novices, Silviana Brehon. After, the two women have a discussion as to Egwene's constant resilience to the beatings, before Silviana dismisses Egwene to dinner, but tells her to return for further discipline later. Egwene reveals eating will have to wait as she is to attend Elaida over dinner. Silviana expresses surprise at this and questions Egwene as to why she did not mention this beforehand. Egwene calmly replies that it would make no difference.
Egwene leaves the chamber where she is given a dose of forkroot by Katerine Alruddin and Barasine. She has a discussion with the two about the declining situation of the Tower. While one of the Aes Sedai scoffs at the notion, the other takes to heart what Egwene has said. Unexpectedly Alviarin Freidhen doesn't show up for punishment as she usually does at this time. As Egwene,heads to Elaida's apartment, she notices a mural of an ancient Amyrlin. For a moment she sees death and destruction on it, a ripple of the Dark One's work, and then it turns back to normal. As she continues, she notices Alviarin heading toward her punishment session and wonders what caused her delay.
Egwene resolves to hold her tongue while serving at Elaida's table, deciding that refusing to engage her is the best way to oppose her in this situation. She walks into Elaida's room only to be shocked by the presence of Meidani, one of her spies, being subservient to Elaida. Egwene knows she has to keep her emotions in check, but she is enraged time and time again as she is forced to her Elaida recount how she has treated to the other sisters and hear her gloat about thei reactions to the increasingly outrageous demands she has handed down. When Elaida begins discussing having Aes Sedai take a fourth oath, of obedience to the Amyrlin, Egwene can stomach no more outrage and pours out the bowl from which she has been serving soup to the two Aes Sedai. Elaida is beside herself over the damage to her expensive rug and orders Meidani to assist Egwene in trying to clean it with towels and cold water while she hollers from the door for servants. Egwene is then sent away with Elaida feeling confident about being in control of Egwene.
Egwene goes to the kitchens to eat before her visit with the Mistress of Novices. Once she is back with Silviana, Egwene has a revelation. The Tower did not need her help to depose Elaida, it was already heading that way. What she needed to do is to keep the Tower together. She begins to laugh as she is beaten, Silviana questions her as to why. Egwene calmly responds that it is foolish to beat her, the pain of it was insignificant to that of the pain of the Tower's situation. After the beating is over, she realizes there is a lot of work to do.
==Characters==
*Egwene al'Vere
*Silviana Brehon
*Elaida
*Katerine Alruddin
*Barasine
*Alviarin Freidhen
*Meidani
*Laras
===Referenced===
*Rand
*Shemerin
*Caraighan Maconar
*Siuan Sanche
*Nynaeve al'Meara
*Elayne Trakand
*Sheriam Bayanar
*Beonin Marinye
*Leane Sharif
==Places==
*White Tower
===Referenced===
*Tar Valon
*Mosadorin historical location
*Salidar
*Two Rivers
*Andor