A couple of things, right off hand.

Yes, I agree, this isn't RJ's voice -- I'm quite relieved about that, because RJ is the only one who can write like RJ. The only thing that Sanderson wrote that really stuck out (apart from the bit about Cadsuane comparing torture to artwork), was the words "alabaster spire." That was...strange, like something I'd expect from a message board role-player. Still, it doesn't change my opinion about the book - I'm very excited to read tGS, and I have high expectations for it. As far as I'm concerned, this chapter was an excellent read.

There's also something that comes immediately to mind regarding Semirhage, Cadsuane and Nynaeve, albeit a very vague something. When the Wondergirls capture one of the original thirteen Black Ajah that they were sent against (I think in Book seven, maybe Book eight), and Adeleas and Vandene are put in charge of her questioning, Robert Jordan listed a laundry list of things that they didn't do. I remember thinking that the restrictions were so numerous that they couldn't possibly get any information out of her, but she became more compliant each and every day. Whatever it was, I guess it was well too far beneath Semirhage.

Still, does anybody have that quote from PoD? About the method for interrogation used by Aes Sedai to get compliance out of prisoners during interrogation?

Speaking of Semirhage, I can't get over the idea that she must have deliberately placed herself in Rand's hands. The 13th Depository had a blog about the tactics of the forsaken who'd gone against Rand, and one of Dom's blogs discussed the ease of her capture and how absolutely horrible her attack against Rand was launched. I can't help but think, "it was all part of the plan." The first thing she does is get into Rand's head - and expose his dirty little secret about LTT. Who's to say she didn't plan on getting captured in order to put herself into a more strategically sound position? Remember, she's plotting with Demandred AND Mesaana.

I think that the blurring of Rand's vision is relevant to the title of the Chapter. I think that Rand's vision is blurry because tears are welling up inside of him and are barely being held at bay (did anyone else notice that the statement about his vision was described just after he was thinking about his lost hand?) I would like to think that Cadsuane's "lesson" may be that no man is made of steel - but that's a tough statement to back, and I haven't reread enough to support it.

Final thoughts? Let's see. I believe that the references to "the box" and Lord of Chaos were deliberate. Sanderson is reminding us about an important lesson that Rand learned the hard way. Everytime he was beat by Galina and her cronies, he reminded himself: "This is what comes of trusting Aes Sedai." While Rand has made serious concessions for Cadsuane, Nynaeve, and Elayne, thinking of Egwene as the Amyrlin Seat is very much like thinking of Egwene as Siuan Sanche - a woman who made it her life's work to tie strings to him. The Amyrlin is Aes Sedai to her core, and Rand has suffered a great deal at Aes Sedai hands.

This statement could also have been made because Rand fears that Egwene, being Aes Sedai to her core, would have Semirhage summarily tried, stilled and executed. I see no way for him to have been aware of Moghedien's previous capture (nor the technique that was used for HER interrogation). It could have been made strictly to throw the others off, with the intention of preventing this outcome.

It's also worth noting that we haven't read the prologue. For all we know, Egwene has confronted Rand (likely through Tel'aran'rhiod) before the chapter begins. Unlikely (since Rand shields his dreams), but not entirely impossible. Do you guys really think Egwene would hesitate to break that ward if she believed she could? For that matter, does anyone believe she's ever given up on it entirely?

Ironically enough, Egwene's anger at Rand al'Thor for compulsing the Aes Sedai who follow Elaida brings to light one of Elaida's foretellings, and a very straightforward interpretation.

"The White Tower will be whole again, except for the remnants cast out and scorned, whole and stronger than ever. Rand al'Thor will face the Amyrlin Seat and know her anger. The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds. This, I foretell!"

-A Crown of Swords, page 18
Elaida do Ahvriny a'Roihan

The only uncertainty, in my opinion, lies in the "rent in fire and blood" line, concerning the Black Tower. That may be a reference to the battle hardened students who wear the black, or an allusion to an upcoming battle (perhaps between Taim and Logain, or Taim and Rand - who can say?) Everything else clearly states that Egwene will unite the Tower, Rand will know her anger, Elaida and her "remnants" will be cast out and scorned, and Aes Sedai (who are bonded to the Asha'man) will walk th grounds of the Black Tower. Or, it could be referring to the Aes Sedai who came to bond the Asha'man in the first place? Either way, a very neatly unfolded prophecy.

Thanks!