Tell me about it; why do you think it took me 2+ years to post that theory? I'd hoped to get up in the original wotmania Theory Post, but between chasing 20k, shirts (be sure to order one or let me know your size, once they're finalized) and all the stuff at wotmanias end, plus wrecking my car and having my wisdom teeth removed after a month of vacation with and proposing to my fiancee... yeah, not a lot of time to re-read WoT to get all the quotes I wanted to support my theory....

You may be right, I honestly can't recall and suffer the kneejerk tendency to see all Reds monolithically. On one level it doesn't matter whether she cares for HIM or not; she's Bonded to him now, so her survival is inextricably linked to his (and thereby hangs a lot of the theory. )


As a cooperative body, sure, but in terms of discipline and authorization I can see large potential problems. Like, say, the leader of the male Aes Sedai haring off with 100 of the most powerful other males over the objections of the leader of the women (or, conversely, the leader of the women refusing to give or allow any other women to give assistance in that. ) I'm not saying you're wrong, mind, but it seems to me there's a reason there are 21 Sitters but only one Amyrlin.

That's (part) of theory. It's not like all the Usurper Towers Aes Sedai are Black Ajah; Egwene still has to bring them back into the fold AND deal with the Asha'man, just as Rand, Logain or SOMEONE has to deal with Taim in addition to the 51 Aes Sedai Logain and Co. bonded, the 51 Asha'man and the Usurper Tower Aes Sedai who Bonded them, and the 51 Asha'man and the Tower in Exile Aes Sedai who Bonded them. Bearing in mind that makes 102 Asha'man Bonded to 51 women on opposite sides of the Towers conflict. And what happens to those men if their Bondholder is killed or stilled.

It could get VERY messy. Especially considering the fact Taim's a Dreadlord at best and a Forsaken at worst, while Tar Valon is rife with Black Ajah of its own, in addition to whatever presence the Black Ajah has with Egwenes group. The Black Ajahs only concern about murder with the Power is "will I get caught...?" and of course the Asha'man aren't bound by the Three Oaths at all. Taim's not going to just say, "Nah, I guess my followers don't need to be able to link at will" and in a pitched battle between his followers and Rands (or Logains) not only Black Sisters but ANY Bonded Aes Sedai is at liberty to use the Power as a weapon in defense of her Warder, and highly motivated to defend a man who's Bonded THEM.

I think you'll find this one interesting, even if it suggests more questions than it answers.

Well, he's got to do SOMETHING, but I don't see him abandoning them either; I see him, if he lives, building a life with them INSTEAD of running the worlds channelers. Which means someone else gets that job, if there's still a need for it.


I don't think Jordan would do that to us simply because it would not only enrage those who love Rand, but those who love those who Love Rand. Maybe Elayne and Min don't have a huge fan base, but Aviendha does. And, of course, there's the Arthurian motif running through it all in addition to Rand as Christ Figure.

I saw; thanks, excellent!