More accurately, violent disgust.

So, Elaida is a power-obsessed despot. That's nothing new. But she used to be a formidable power-obsessed despot. Where is your knitting or your ivory figurines, Elaida? When she sent Alviarin crying to Mesaana in Crossroads of Twilight (and some people say nothing happened in that book...) I figured, 'this is what happens when you mess with this power-obsessed despot'. Elaida was a tyrannical egotist, but she got things done. Shrieking like a caricature over spilled soup on her carpet? Not impressive.

Sigh. Good old Pedron Niall. At least he died before we learned that he was a pedophile with erectile dysfunction or something equally character ruining. He died figuring out that the Seanchan were a threat, without having to meet them first, which I think is unique in the series thus far, isn't it?

I guess if you can't make Egwene impressive, you can make her enemies so ridiculous one can't help but side with her. Also, I reckon this puts an end to any possibility that Elaida will finish this series in a position above that of scullery maid, unfortunately.

Which brings me to my second point. In the last few years, and with Knife of Dreams leaving me not especially resentful towards the girl (don't get me wrong, the whole 'You do not break when you are spanked? Surely you must be our Amyrlin!' thing was ridiculous enough, but not directly Egwene's fault) I thought I was over this Egwene-hate thing, but this chapter just brought it back in spades.

Were we the ones who pulled down a sitting Amyrlin?

I don't really know what to say. What is your purpose here, Egwene? Are you saying you support Elaida's continued reign?

Were we the ones who turned Warder against Warder?

I'll assume one of the sides was yours? The one that was leading an attack to rescue the Stilled Amyrlin and therefore initiated the hostilities?

Were we the ones who failed to contain the Dragon Reborn?

Can someone remind me what Siuan was accused of that resulted in her being deposed and Stilled?

The false Amyrlin just turned back to her soup, smiling to herself, no doubt contemplating a fourth Oath to demand obedience. Couldn't she see how that would undermine the Tower itself? It would transform the Amyrlin from a leader to a despot.

Go on.

Explain to us how using magical compulsion to enforce obedience in your subjects is wrong.

No morning of victory for Elaida, I take it?

It has been a while since I last felt this particular bewildered frustration.