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| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TDR,Ch37'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/wheel_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Wheel Chapter Icon'}] ''[TDR|The Dragon Reborn]: Maidens of the Spear'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TDR,Ch39' align='right'}]
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! __Egwene__ POV

From her clothes and appearance [Egwene|Egwene alVere] recognizes the woman as [Aiel]. She feels an odd affinity for the woman.[1] The woman introduces herself to [Egwene|Egwene alVere], [Elayne|Elayne Trakand] and [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] as [Aviendha] of the [Nine Valleys][2] sept of the [Taardad] [Aiel]. She is a [Maiden of the Spear]. She asks if they are [Aes Sedai]. She says [Aes Sedai] are like their own [Wise Ones|Aiel]. [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] lets her think they are full [Aes Sedai]. [Aviendha] asks if they can [Heal|Weaves] a wounded friend and [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] agrees to help. Two more [Maidens|Maidens of the Spear] come out of hiding, [Chiad] of the [Stones River] [Goshien] and [Bain] of the [Black Rock] [Shaarad]. [Bain] and [Chiad] are bonded first-sisters.[3] The [Stones River] sept broke away from the [High Plain] sept many years ago. They travel further downstream and come upon another [Maiden|Maidens of the Spear], [Jolien] of the [Salt Flat] [Nakai], who stayed with [Dailin|Dailin (Maiden)]. She took a sword in the stomach when they were attacked by soldiers who thought they were bandits. [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] starts to use her medicines. They exchange some cultural information that leaves [Egwene|Egwene alVere] confused. The [Maidens|Maidens of the Spear] are overwhelmed by large bodies of water. The thought of swimming terrifies them. The [Aiel] once served the [Aes Sedai] so [Aiel] will never attack [Aes Sedai] even if they bring lightning or [balefire|Weaves] down on them. [Egwene|Egwene alVere] recalls thinking about [balefire|Weaves] in her trip through the [three arches
|Three Arches] but still does not know what it is. [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] finally gets angry enough to [Heal|Weaves] [Dailin|Dailin (Maiden)]. She uses a very complex weave that [Egwene|Egwene alVere] can barely follow.[4]
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More [Egwene POV]
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! Notes (Possible Spoilers)

[#1] Because [Aviendha] has the ability to [channel|True Source]. [Egwene|Egwene alVere] will recognize the affinity for what it is in [TSR,Ch23].\\
[#2] Early printings incorrectly give her sept as Bitter Water.\\
[#3] We learn exactly what is involved in the first-sister ceremony in [WH,Prologue].\\
[#4] [Nynaeve|Nynaeve alMeara] uses a much more complex form of [Healing|Weaves] than current day [Aes Sedai]. It is more akin to the [Healing|Weaves] used in the [Age of Legends].\\
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