Black Ajah? Big deal.

[GrandpaG]

Who cares if some sisters are black ajah?  What is there to be afraid of?  What harm can they do?  Are they worse than trollocs of halfmen?  Just because they can channel?  Because we can't tell the normal sisters from the darkfriends?

 

The black ajah has existed for quite a while.  They have to do everything clandestine which makes them inefficient.  They will be far more effective when they can work in the open (TG).  For the time being, their only real threat is the fact that they exist (and the occasional murder).

 

Are you "afraid" of them?  What impact will they have on TG?  Will things be different if the efforts in the White Tower (witch hunt) are successful?  If all of the black ajah sisters were eliminated, would the Shadow make up for it someplace else?  ENJOY!

 

So...

 

If the black sisters can do what their other black sisters already did before and make off with some of the AoL treasure hidden in the White Tower they can add to the fire power at TG.  If they can get their hands on the Horn of Valere (which they already have), maybe they can summon dead heros if Matt is out of the picture or at least keep Matt from calling them.  Since shadowspawn supposedly can't use gateways, the sisters won't be able to help move the troops the way the Ashamen will.  They'll kick but with their toys wherever they stand and for a mile or two in all directions.  If they can use the horn they can defeat a force the size of the Seanchan at Falme.  Even though the AS swear that the black ajah does not exist, it does.  And it has for a long time.  It's effect is not strong.  They are gophers living in holes.  Or better yet, Prairie Dogs.  You can break an ankle if you happen to step in their hole.  Otherwise, you sit a ways off and wait for them to make a mistake so you can pop their head off with a .222 slug.  They dare not expose themselves because they become instant targets.  Did the black sister and the forsaken living among the Salidar AS stand up and fight when things got warm?  No.  They boogied.  Did the sisters in Caemlyn try to storm the Royal Palace to get to Elayne and friends?  Did they even try to undermine her efforts by supporting her enemies?  No.  They hid.  She had to seek THEM out.  They got lucky and caught her by surprise or her raid would have been a success.

 

Black ajah?  BBBAAAHHH...Humbug!!!

[RobertAlexWillis]

Now if Mat could blow the horn all the time, why not get it back and then blow it every time a major battle occurs, to defeat the Seanchan again, or conquer some territory, etc.

 

Because then the Shadow would know exactly where it is all the time and could send lots of people to steal it.

 

And they will need it for the Last Battle.

 

But hey, I guess we'll find out, won't we?  If AMoL comes and goes without the Horn of Valere being blown, and the Heroes coming to save the day, give me your address and I'll mail you a hundred bucks.

[cloglord]

I'll take your money when the horn ends up in Illian.....

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Not if I grab it first(the money)... ;)

[GrandpaG]

The real question is, did Verin ever give the horn to her Amyrlin in the first place?  Or did she give it to Alviarin?  Or is it tucked under her mattress?  I didn't read a POV for her that said "There.  I gave the Horn of Valere to Siuan for safe keeping."  How many AS besides Verin actually knew that Matt blew the horn (first hand eye witness at Falme)?  How many even could have caught wind of it as rumor?  Do we have a guarantee that Siuan knows?  Moraine probably told her.  Unless some of the AS that were captured by the Seanchan got word out to their eyes and ears before the collar was put on?  I'm sure this has been hashed over on a thousand different posts over the years.  Truth is, like RAW has observed before, we'll have to wait and see how it turns out.  Personally, I hope RJ lives for many more years into a full recovery so he doesn't have to hurry through AMoL and can write the Matt/Tuon sequel so DM will continue to be a place for me to twist unsuspecting minds.  8)

 

edit:

OOOppss...never mind.

I just remembered.  It's fuzzy but kinda there.  I sorta remember Siuan and Verin talking about what would happen if Matt didn't survive.  Shoots down that possibility.  :(

 

[Luckers]

She did indeed give the Horn to Suine, and together they arranged for it to be hidden somewhere in the Tower. You find this out in Suine's meeting with Verin during the early chapters of the Dragon Reborn.

 

 

[RobertAlexWillis]

In case anyone wants to read it, its in The Dragon Reborn, chapter 12, The Amyrlin Seat.

[GrandpaG]

Thanks, guys.

 

I know...I know...

 

Someday I'll just have to accept that Siuan and Verin walk in the Light.  Well, maybe someday.  But for now my gut is still telling me to be VERY careful around those two.  And Alanna.  And Cadsuane.  And Moraine.

 

Could I maybe be developing a complex about Aes Sedai?  :o

[Siemba]

Someday I'll just have to accept that Siuan and Verin walk in the Light

Verin might not walk in the light. Theres too many sparrow references. Sparrows are a symbol of freedom because of some old story where they were free to come and go in a temple where people couldnt. Maybe that temple is the DOs and Verins been evil all along... ;D

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

I dont know though...I know she isnt like many of the traditionalist Aes Sedai, but that doesnt mean she is Darkfriend.

 

She's just rather unconventional in her methods. Plus, she seems to know things that she should not. She is a mystery, certainly. And I doubt RJ will ever come out and explain who she really is, so we'll have to figure that out for ourselves...

[algspkr]

Are you certain of that? I mean, is there any evidence for your view?

 

Yeah, blowing it more than once would seem to be possible, but we've never heard of someone finding and blowing the horn aside from Mat, so I don't think there is anything to suggest other than what I said. Or anything to suggest against what you said, either...

 

What sense would it make to have the horn bound to Mat as long as he lives if it can't be used again?

 

In TDR and TSR didn't we have a few people tell Mat that only he could sound the horn?

 

And didn't High Lord Turak (I think that was his name) in TGH tell Fain that if he sounded the horn he would be the only one able to sound it again?

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Im not sure, I'll have to look it up.

 

Just seems to me it would make too powerful of a plot device...

[lou]

the heroes of the horn....minus the ones already spun out, or in birgitte's case, torn out. how much of an impact will they really make? matt certainly doesnt seem to be in any hurry to even have the horn in his possesion. the battle at falme is going to seem like two girls pulling hair on the playground in comparison to TG.

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Actually, now that I recall, the horn didn't allow Rand and co. to overwhelm the Seanchan. Rand had to lead them to victory by defeating Ishy. However, it is still an incredibly powerful device.

[GrandpaG]

the heroes of the horn....minus the ones already spun out, or in birgitte's case, torn out. how much of an impact will they really make? matt certainly doesnt seem to be in any hurry to even have the horn in his possesion. the battle at falme is going to seem like two girls pulling hair on the playground in comparison to TG.

 

Maybe the heroes were holding back...having a little fun...stretching their muscles...showing a little mercy at Falme?  If that was a walk in the park for them, they could be formidible if they actually worked at TG, maybe?  The Aes Sedai seem to want them fighting for the Light not against it.  I think Mat would still prefer to not be entangled in any of it if he could get away from it.  Now that he's a married man, I think he'd prefer to take Olver and Tuon to some nice quiet Sea Folk island with a beach and an inn (for an occasional game of dice or cards and maybe a cool beverage) and leave saving the world up to the Band or Rand or anybody but Mat, Tuon, and Olver.  Will Mat get to be a dad for real in AMoL?  :-\

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Heres a better question: Once Tuon and co. realize that she is now the Empress, what would that make Mat? King of Ravens? Or Emperor?

 

I have assumed that the Seanchan empire was somewhat like Andor, in that there has always been a female ruler. However, I think according to the BWB (I'll have to check) Seanchan has had an Emperor before.

[Majsju]

Mat will not, and can not be emperor. While it is perfectly possible for a man in Seanchan to becoe emperor (they just haven't had one for a thousand years), Mat lacks the minor detail that is an absolute requirement, the right blood. He is not a descendant of Luthair Hawkwing, and can therefore not be emperor. I would not be too surprised to see that he keeps his current title.

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Well, here is a thought:

 

If someone can be raised to the blood, then we must assume, even though they are not true descendants, if everyone else dies around them, they could succeed. Maybe Tuon is rightful heir, but if she died...

[GrandpaG]

Well, here is a thought:

 

If someone can be raised to the blood, then we must assume, even though they are not true descendants, if everyone else dies around them, they could succeed. Maybe Tuon is rightful heir, but if she died...

 

 

:o

:o

WHAT???

OMG, NO!!!

:o

:o

UUuumm...she won't need that georgious body guard anymore, right?  Is she for sale?  How much?  Not that I need a head shave or anything.  Although, I could use a little help getting dressed.  ::)

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

One word: gholam.

 

Okay, maybe three...or six...or eight...or twelve.

[algspkr]

Mat will not, and can not be emperor. While it is perfectly possible for a man in Seanchan to becoe emperor (they just haven't had one for a thousand years), Mat lacks the minor detail that is an absolute requirement, the right blood. He is not a descendant of Luthair Hawkwing, and can therefore not be emperor. I would not be too surprised to see that he keeps his current title.

I think he will have a new title, I would guess that the Prince of the Ravens is defined as the husband of the Daughter of the Nine Moons.  Maybe he will be Prince of the Nine Moons...  though that one does seem somewhat outlandish.

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

or how about Son of the Nine Moons?

 

No, that should/would probably refer to Tuon's brother, if she had one.

 

No, Prince of the Nine Moons makes enough sense to me. Or maybe Lord of the Ravens, Lord of the Nine Moons.

[algspkr]

or how about Son of the Nine Moons?

 

No, that should/would probably refer to Tuon's brother, if she had one.

 

No, Prince of the Nine Moons makes enough sense to me. Or maybe Lord of the Ravens, Lord of the Nine Moons.

Son the the Nine Moons would refer to a declared heir to the throne who is male.  And he would not be given a title of lord after being called prince.

[Ealdur Tinuviel]

Well it sure wouldn't be king, either.

 

No, its either Prince of the Nine Moons, or it probably hasn't changed at all.

[GrandpaG]

He's gonna be Mat the one eye'd gambler.