Credit: Tor Books
Path of Daggers: “The Law”
"“I call a question before the Hall,” she said in a loud, firm voice. “Who will stand to declare war against the usurper Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan?”"
In the chapter, Egwene has gathered all of the Sitters for a formal meeting of the Hall. The suspense is palpable, and two Aes Sedai troublemakers — Romanda and Leane — disapprove of Egwene’s swift rise to power. They view her as a puppet, but the Amyrlin Seat is about to prove them wrong.
The meeting begins with a question that seems innocent enough, although the implications are massive. Then there’s a debate and finally a vote that ends in a formal declaration of war against Elaida. And then she reveals the move she has made:
"“The Law…” she began, then took a deep breath and sat up straight. “The Law of War states, ‘As one set of hands must guide a sword, so the Amyrlin Seat shall direct and prosecute the war by decree. She shall seek the advice of the Hall of the Tower, but the Hall shall carry out her decrees with all possible speed, and for the sake of unity, they shall…” She faltered, and had to visibly force herself to go on. “…they shall and must approve any decree of the Amyrlin Seat regarding prosecution of the war with the greater consensus.’”"
Egwene al’Vere, with one fell swoop, solidifies her power in the White Tower.
I’m hoping fans of the series will agree that this is one of the better chapters from the book. The Aes Sedai have a tendency to be conniving and condescending. It’s satisfying to see Egwene put them in their place and surprise them all.
To this point in the series, Egwene has become a powerful political figure. There are still those who look at her as a pawn, but she’s becoming a master of the game. With a little push from former Amyrlin, Siuan Sanche, she’s really coming into her own.