the Mask of Mirrors aka Mirror of Mists (let's just say MOM) could maybe explain giving a televised broadcast of the battle to more people - but who is using the ability? I doubt either combatant would have energy to spare for it... Maybe someone like Moiraine to help fulfill the prophecy, like how in the TV she does the fake dragon w/ her fire?

The flow was under the water though, I think Moiraine did that to camouflage the incoming attack so by the time they perceived it (if at all) it'd be too late to react? I got the sense all their energy was focused on shielding Rand, which was especially difficult given how far away he was from the ships (I think like thousands of feet away, hundreds of feet up?) plus Moiraine seemed to be in their blind spot attacking them from behind or at least from the side. I don't think the 3rd oath prevents you from attacking if there's a risk of collateral damage. Otherwise an Aes Sedai couldn't throw a fireball at a Trolloc for fear of some elderly person getting trapped in a fire by a wandering spark.