The way Sheriam referred to Mesaana's incredible strength twice in a short scene (first saying someone of great strength in the Power was outside her tent, and then again exlaiming over "such strength!" was reminiscent of the references we've seen to Alivia's "incredible strength in the Power".

Anyway, as you and Fionwe say, there is of course no conclusive evidence either way. At least, not in this book.

But I maintain that the entire argument used to put Graendal above Semirhage is based on the single comment, made by Graendal HERSELF, about it being very rare indeed to find a woman stronger than herself in the Age of Legends.

There has been nothing to indicate that Semirhage might not be one such woman. In fact, is Semirhage's not by default someone of "very rare strength indeed?"

My point is, we cannot at this point definitively prove that Semirhage is stronger than Graendal. But there is even less of a basis to suggest that Graendal is stronger than Semirhage.

So I have a problem with the fact that the current 21 level list - which is now sitting on 13th depository I think - places Graendal a level higher than Semirhage.

I repeat: There is NO evidence for this whatsoever.