You know, if she actually served a purpose other than as an advisor, I'd see why Rand would take her into a possible battlefield. It just seems like forcing it to include her in this scene.

In fact, I'd rather she didn't have throwing knives or pretensions to philosophy, and was simply an artist who wanted to revolutionize fashion. I don't know - it seems somewhat like RJ had to give her something to do, and added these extra interests, but she really is somewhat more of a concubine or a courtier-type, and I would find her less of an appendage if she occupied such a role with no embroidery from the author. Heck, the whole concept of throwing knives is somewhat questionable tactically - it would be a bit more down-to-earth and useful if she learned the rudiments of knife fighting. It would actually be funny to have a Forsaken killed by her backstabbing them with a knife.