A question re Verin...Warning Spoilers Book 12

[Figs and Mice]

As one who read all the books years ago but only joined this site during the TV show , I do not know whether this was discussed in the past ; but I am curious to know if there is anything in the companion literature or discussions that throws more light on the exact circumstances of Verin's joining the Black Ajah ?

 

As she recounts to Egwene in TGS , she was right from the start dedicated to working within as a sort of double agent ; but that she actually took the oaths to the Great Lord as the alternative would have been death at the hands of a posse of Blacks. (Also that Tomas "was a Darkfriend who wanted out" ) All clear enough in a way.

 

But what puzzles me a little is exactly how she got into that position ?  It would seem odd that the Blacks would be going around grabbing random Brown sisters and saying "sign up or die " ; because recruiting someone who has no desire to serve your cause is surely unlikely to get you a useful asset - and in any case there seems to be no shortage of willing aspirants to the cause of The Dark , judging by the number Verin ultimately exposes in the list she hands to Egwene.  Also the timing re Tomas : did she only discover his commitment to the dark side when she bonded him ? (I'd imagine it would be impossible not to at that point)  Or was taking him on as Warder the way in which she offered to give him an (eventual) way out ?

 

All rather fussy details perhaps but as she is one of my favourite characters I would love to hear if anyone can provide any clarification ...

 

Veterans of the site , any comments ?

[HeavyHalfMoonBlade]

I think it was not a "sign up or die" but more Verin was poking somewhere because of her curiosity and then would have been killed when caught except she convinced them she wanted to join, which was why she was poking about. 

 

About Tomás, not sure. That always seemed a little convenient to me, too, unless Tomás became her Warder after her oaths, but then how would she know he wanted out? Or did she meet a Darkfriend with regrets and was so curious that she bonded him to study his predicament further. I guess that would be in character. 

 

Sorry for an answer so lacking in details or insight 🙂