The building Rand is staying in was soon taken over by the Maidens, who insist on being his personal guards. He’s visited at night by Aviendha, who made a dragon belt buckle out of her former weapons to get them on even ground again. Isendre, now only allowed to wear jewelry after she was caught stealing, breaks in at the same time, and Aviendha reveals she’s tried seven times before. Finally they both leave and Rand gets some sleep, which he’s now even learned how to protect from outside influence.
One more chapter largely devoted to recapping, but we also get a good bit of new information. Rand’s quandary with the merchants actually makes them interesting for once, and though Aviendha remains annoying, she’s now allowed to have more than just the one note about Elayne when they talk, which helps a lot.
