Lord of Chaos/Chapter 40

Mat is trying to enlist Thom's help in getting Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve to see things his way. After telling Mat a story, Thom concludes that Mat may not know the whole story needed to make a decision. Also, Elayne and Nynaeve are off to Ebou Dar in a couple of days, with Thom and Juilin going with them. Thom talks Mat in to helping the women with their plans instead of trying to make them go along with his. Elayne will go with Mat back to Caemlyn when she is ready.
Elayne starts looking for Aviendha but hears many rumors about Mat, the ta'veren, and the Aiel woman who can channel. Aes Sedai are working to convice Aviendha to stay and train as a novice. Birgitte meets her and tells her two Aes Sedai, Vandene and Adeleas, will be going to Ebou Dar with them. Elayne again tries to talk Birgitte into letting her tell Egwene who she really is. Birgitte says that she can't because the expectations people will have for what an actual Hero of the Horn can or should do is more than she can bear.
Elayne finds Aviendha and takes her away from the Aes Sedai. Aviendha wants to meet in Elayne's room and grabs a branch of wood to use as a switch. Once in the room, Aviendha strips and presents Elayne with the switch and the knife she's been sharpening for the last three days. Then she admits to loving Rand and to sleeping with him. Elayne can choose the knife or the switch, and use them as she wishes. Elayne realizes that Aviendha is the third woman from Min's vision. Elayne tells Aviendha that she has no toh.
==Characters==
* Mat
* Thom
* Nynaeve
* Vanin
* Pips
* Mar
* Ladwin
* Verdin
* Aviendha
* Akarrin
* Birgitte
* Areina
* Shana
===Referenced===
* Rand
* Laritha acquaintance of Thom's
* Elayne
* Juilin
* Nalesean
* Egwene
* Elaida
* Basel Gill
* Talmanes
* Vandene
* Adeleas
* Merilille
* Tylin
* Maerion
* Joana
* Sheriam
* Myrelle
* Min
* Berelain
==Places==
* Salidar
===Referenced===
* Pit of Doom
* Ebou Dar
* Andor
* Caemlyn
* Aiel Waste
* Tel'aran'rhiod
* Tovan conclave from Birgitte's memories
* Stone of Tear