Elaida's Embassy To Rand

By Linda and BobH

This article summarises what we know of the Aes Sedai comprising Elaida’s embassy to Rand. The embassy consisted of thirty-nine Aes Sedai:

Elaida did not hear. Twelve returned...Twelve out of thirty-nine.

- A Crown of Swords, Sealed to the Flame

However, in Lord of Chaos, The Feast of Lights, Galina thinks:

Thirty-three Aes Sedai with their servants—and Warders; nine were Green, only thirteen Red, and the rest [eleven] White, Alviarin's former Ajah—made a considerable encampment even without counting Gawyn and his soldiers.

Why only thirty-three, not thirty-nine, in the encampment? Where are the other six? Well, the breakdown of the Ajahs listed for the thirty-three gives us a clue. Only Green, Red, and White are mentioned. Yet, we know two of the thirty-nine were not members of those Ajahs, Coiren (Grey) and Nesune (Brown), both of whom were members of the six members of Elaida's embassy to arrive in Cairhien and initiate discussions with Rand. Therefore, the six official ambassadors camped separately from the rest, due to their elevated status, and were consequently not included in the count of the main encampment.

The Ajah breakdown of all thirty-nine members of the Tower’s expedition to Rand is thirteen Red, nine Green, seven White, five Brown, two Yellow, and three Gray according to Robert Jordan’s Aes Sedai notes and is consistent with the Companion. However, this is not consistent with Galina’s thoughts, which leave out the Brown, Yellow and Grey, and probably reflect her arrogance and political biases in ignoring less populous Ajahs unless they are essential allies of the Red.

Of these Aes Sedai, five were raised Aes Sedai too recently to have developed the ageless look yet:

Some of those faces looked young, but the others…They were all Aes Sedai, he was sure, the five young women only new enough that they had not yet assumed the agelessness, five to look at him and lull his suspicions while the others hid their faces.

- Lord of Chaos, The Taking

The young Aes Sedai were important in capturing Rand, because he wouldn’t recognise them as Aes Sedai and think that fewer Aes Sedai were present than was actually the case. He was, of course, watching out for the magic number thirteen, and was lulled into thinking that there were fewer than this meeting him. He was then shielded by thirteen Aes Sedai, bound by the remaining two and taken. The names of three of these young Aes Sedai are mentioned in the books: Beldeine Nyram, Marith Riven and Janine Pavlara. The other two are listed in Robert Jordan’s Aes Sedai notes as Lusonia Cole and Valene Sural.

Aims and Strategy

The embassy aimed to not only convince Rand to go to the Tower, or force him if need be, but also to arrange for an alternate leadership in Cairhien.

Katerine spoke about Rand’s imminent departure and the need for a replacement to Colavaere, who responded positively (Lord of Chaos, Like Lightning and Rain). At the same time, Nesune made the same speech to Meilan, who also responded positively. Maringil would also have been a logical target.

Sarene found Berelain unresponsive to her suggestions to leave Cairhien (Lord of Chaos, Like Lightning and Rain). It was important that Berelain cooperate, though, so the Aes Sedai persisted:

”I [Berelain] received no fewer than ten visits from various sisters, advising me on what I should do when he returned to the Tower with them. They seemed very certain." She hesitated, and though she did not look at Faile, Perrin got the impression she was considering whether to say something in front of her. In front of Dobraine as well, but more Faile. The hunter smell returned. "I received the strong impression that I should return to Mayene, and that if I did not, I might well be escorted there."...
"Ten?" Dobraine said. "I had only one visit. I thought she was disappointed when I made it clear I had sworn fealty to the Lord Dragon.”

- Lord of Chaos, The Feast of Lights

Sarene was supposed to see Aracome but she put this off, concentrating on Berelain instead. Perhaps another sister saw him.


The fate of Elaida's Embassy:

Many of the Aes Sedai in Elaida’s embassy suffered unpleasant fates such as death or captivity (by the Shaido or Rand), but some managed to return to a Tar Valon controlled area. The Aes Sedai of the embassy are listed under their respective fates along with other relevant information about them.

A. One Aes Sedai was captured by the Shaido after the Battle of Dumai's Wells.

1. Galina Casban Ajah: Red/Black

One of the six official ambassadors, she took charge of the embassy once Rand was captured (Lord of Chaos, The Taking). At the end of the battle at Dumai’s Wells, she was captured by the Shaido and taken, eventually, to Malden. The Shaido Wise Ones forced her to swear a fourth Oath on an Oath Rod/binder to obey Sevanna’s Wise One advisors in all things, and first among them, Therava and Sevanna (The Path of Daggers, Questions and an Oath).

In Knife of Dreams, Galina escaped briefly with the Oath Rod (betraying both Faile and Perrin in the process), in hopes of having the fourth oath removed. However, Therava recaptured her during Perrin's attack on the city, and she, Therava, and a few hundred other Aiel are now on their way back to the Aiel Waste, where Galina seems destined to live out her life as Therava's slave. She is named as Black Ajah in Verin’s report (The Gathering Storm, A Visit From Verin Sedai).

B. Twenty-three Aes Sedai were captured by Rand and his allies during the Battle of Dumai's Wells.

"Your place is with them," Rand said, pointing to the Aes Sedai shielded and under guard. Twenty-three, he saw, and Galina not among them.

- Lord of Chaos, Dumai's Wells

Rand handed these Aes Sedai into the charge of the Wise Ones. Verin arranged to question, and secretly Compel, all the captured Aes Sedai and presumably did so, except for Katerine Alruddin, who escaped (The Path of Daggers, Deceptive Appearances). All these Aes Sedai, except Katerine, subsequently swore fealty to Rand.

Cadsuane made a vexed sound. … Nineteen sisters had been prisoner in the Aiel camp, nineteen sisters sent by that fool Elaida to kidnap the boy, and now they all had sworn to follow him! These last were the worst. "What could make Red sisters swear fealty to a man who can channel?"

The nineteen Cadsuane mentions does not include Katerine (who had escaped by then), nor the three Aes Sedai who had been stilled. So, the number is correct. And Verin’s Compulsion seems to have been the crucial factor in them swearing fealty. Later, the stilled Aes Sedai also swore fealty to Rand once they had been Healed:

"Rand, Damer has discovered a way to Heal being stilled! He Healed Irgain and Ronaille and Sashalle. They've sworn fealty to you, too, just like all the others…I mean all the sisters the Aiel were holding. Even the Reds."

So every sister captured, except Katerine, swore fealty to Rand.

1. Coiren Saeldain Ajah: Grey

Coiren was one of the six official ambassadors and led Elaida's embassy until Rand was captured (Lord of Chaos, Prologue). She has sworn fealty to Rand and remains in Cairhien. Coiren does not have a Warder:

Coiren set out to escort the Aiel women as far as the foot of the hill, along with Erian, a Green, and Nesune, a Brown, and the five Warders they had between them.

- Lord of Chaos, Prologue

We know Nesune has one Warder, and Erian had four at this time, therefore, Coiren has none.

2. Katerine Alruddin Ajah: Red/Black

Katerine was one of the six official ambassadors. She escaped from the Wise Ones’ custody in Cairhien before Verin could Compel her and did not swear fealty to Rand:

"Katerine Alruddin escaped last night," Tialin nearly spat, and Verin gasped. … "It was not discovered until this morning," one of the Maidens growled. … "A Wise One and two Cor Darei were poisoned, and the gai'shain who brought them drink was found with his throat cut."

- The Path of Daggers, Deceptive Appearances

In Crossroads of Twilight, Katerine had joined the twelve Aes Sedai of the embassy who returned earlier in Dorlan and was urgently trying to cross the river to Tar Valon. Katerine returned to Tar Valon and played a key role in the Egwene's capture at Northharbor and subsequent punishment. By sucking up to Elaida after Tarna left, she was even made Mistress of the Novices for a short time (The Gathering Storm, News in Tel’aran’rhiod). Katerine Travelled briefly back to Dorlan to show the senior (and strongest) sisters there the Travelling weave, passing on instructions that they were to use Travelling to make the raids on the rebel army more effective. A known Black sister, she fled the White Tower after the Seanchan raid and prior to Egwene’s arrival and was killed by Egwene in Tel'aran'rhiod.

3. Sarene Nemdahl Ajah: White

Sarene was one of the official six ambassadors and was in the first group of captive Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. Min told Rand that Sarene would serve him in her fashion and also had a viewing that she would have a tempestuous love affair with a man (The Path of Daggers, A Cup of Sleep). The Taraboner White was at the cleansing of saidin in a circle with Corele Hovian (one of Cadsuane's group) and Damer Flinn. Flinn controlled the circle and they patrolled the area and fought and drove off Demandred. Sarene was seriously injured.

Sarene was with Aviendha’s group at Thakandar. Graendal killed her Warder and Compelled Sarene. She used Sarene’s channelling strength until she burned out (A Memory of Light, Impossibilities).

4. Nesune Bihara Ajah: Brown

Nesune was one of the six official ambassadors and was in the first group of captive Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. Min saw that Nesune is destined for honours and fame and will found a library. She told Rand that Nesune would serve Rand in her fashion (The Path of Daggers, A Cup of Sleep). Nesune was at the cleansing of saidin and linked with Beldeine Nyram, Daigian Moseneillin (one of Cadsuane's group) and Eben Hopwil. Daigian controlled the circle and they patrolled the surrounding area and fought and drove off Aran'gar. Eben was killed and Beldeine injured.

Nesune was with Rand’s group. The Kandori Brown has a Warder, as yet unnamed:

Nesune and her Warder conferred; then the dark-haired Brown sister peered down the street, first one way then the other.

- Lord of Chaos, Like Lightning and Rain

He probably followed her to Tear, since Elza implies that all the Warders of the captive Aes Sedai with Cadsuane did so:

"You did the right thing, Fearil. It would have been taken as odd if you were the only one to refuse to find your Aes Sedai."

- Crossroads of Twilight, Ornaments

Perhaps Nesune did not report his approach to Cadsuane because she was busy talking to Verin.

Nesune fought in Aviendha’s group at Thakan’dar.

5. Erian Boroleos Ajah: Green

Erian was one of the official six ambassadors and was in the first group of captive Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. Min told Rand that Erian would serve him in her fashion (The Path of Daggers, A Cup of Sleep). Erian was not mentioned in the cleansing of saidin scene, but later Jordan admitted that he inadvertently omitted her:

Erian Boroleos was not meant to disappear. In my notes, she is placed guarding those with Cadsuane who cannot channel and not too pleased about it (there are reasons why she was chosen out for this, which I won't go into here), and there is even a note (under CHECKS AND CORRECTIONS, a category I use to make sure that I haven't blinked at the wrong time) to make sure of mentioning her in passing. It didn't happen, for which, mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. I was so certain that I had done it, that I didn't find out I hadn't until the paperback came out, but a correction will be made.

Since Erian had lost two Warders recently, she may have been considered too emotionally unstable to link with and likely to distract the others in the circle. For quite some time the Illianer Green was annoyed at Cadsuane for being relegated to a guard for non-channellers at the Cleansing. Her two remaining Warders, Bartol and Rashan, joined her in Tear in Crossroads of Twilight. Her other two, unnamed, Warders were killed by Rand during his captivity (Lord of Chaos, The Feast of Lights). She was last seen with Rand’s group (The Gathering Storm, Reading the Commentary).

6. Beldeine Nyram Ajah: Green

Aes Sedai for only three years and without the ageless look, Beldeine was in the first group of captive Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. In Knife of Dreams Beldeine fulfilled Min's viewing in The Path of Daggers, A Cup of Sleep that the Saldaean Green would bond an Asha'man as Warder, when she bonded the Asha'man Karldin Manfor. Min also told Rand that Beldeine will serve Rand in her fashion. Beldeine was at the Cleansing of saidin and linked with Nesune Bihara, Daigian Moseneillin (one of Cadsuane's group) and Eben Hopwil. Daigian controlled the circle (much to Beldeine’s annoyance); they patrolled the surrounding area and fought and drove off Aran'gar. Eben was killed and Beldeine injured.

Beldeine and her Warder also accompanied Rand from Tear (where they had gathered to recuperate after the Cleansing) to northern Altara, for his meeting with the fake Daughter of the Nine Moons (i.e. Semirhage), although neither was part of the party that approached the meeting house initially (Knife of Dreams, A Plain Wooden Box). She was annoyed at being rebuked for bad manners by Cadsuane and left abruptly with her Warder (The Gathering Storm, Reading the Commentary). Beldeine and Karldin fought in the Last Battle until Karldin dropped from exhaustion, then Sharans stabbed them both (A Memory of Light, The Last Battle).

7. Elza Penfell Ajah: Green/Black

Elza was in the first group of captive Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. Min saw that Elza would serve Rand in her fashion (The Path of Daggers, A Cup of Sleep). The Andoran Green was particularly adamant that Rand must be kept alive until the Last Battle. Verin’s ‘suggestions phrased as commands’ which she gave to those she questioned and Compelled seem to have had an unusual effect on her. Each woman so Compelled had to find a reason to follow Verin’s suggestions. Elza decided that Rand must live to the Last Battle so that the Dark One could defeat him. She was suspicious of Cadsuane’s advisory role to Rand (Crossroads of Twilight, Ornaments).

Elza was at the Cleansing of saidin and linked with Merise and Jahar Narishma (with Callandor). Elza controlled the circle, which stayed at the top of the hill with Rand, Nynaeve and Cadsuane. They fought and drove off Forsaken who got close to the hill and killed Osan'gar.

Elza had one Warder, named Fearil, a Darkfriend, who joined her in Tear (Crossroads of Twilight, A Strengthening Storm). She pretended that she was married to him to explain the fact that she had only one Warder.

Elza and her Warder also accompanied Rand from Tear (where they had gathered to recuperate after the Cleansing) to northern Altara, for his meeting with the fake Daughter of the Nine Moons (i.e. Semirhage), although neither was part of the party that approached the meeting house initially (Knife of Dreams, A Plain Wooden Box). In Arad Doman she got the Domination Band out of Cadsuane’s box for Shaidar Haran and presented it to Semirhage. Semirhage removed Verin’s Compulsion from Elza. Both women used the Domination Band on Rand until he broke free using the True Power and balefired them (The Gathering Storm, The Last That Could Be Done).

8. Irgain Fatamed Ajah: Green

Irgain was one of three Aes Sedai Rand stilled when he broke through the shield (Lord of Chaos, Dumai’s Wells). She had two Warders; one died from the shock of her stilling and the other made a suicidal attack on the Aiel at the battle at Dumai’s Wells (The Path of Daggers, Deceptive Appearances). (This leaves four unknown Warders who died during the battle). She was not declared da’tsang because the Wise Ones thought being stilled enough punishment (Winter’s Heart, Wonderful News). She was in Cairhien and swore fealty to Rand after Damer Flinn Healed her (Winter’s Heart, Bonds).

9. Sashalle Anderly Ajah: Red

Sashalle was one of three Aes Sedai Rand stilled when he broke through the shield (Lord of Chaos, Dumai’s Wells). She was not declared da’tsang because the Wise Ones thought being stilled enough punishment (Winter’s Heart, Wonderful News). Sashalle was in Cairhien and swore fealty to Rand after Damer Flinn Healed her (Winter’s Heart, Bonds). She took charge at Cairhien with the Wise Ones’ approval and over the head of Samitsu, Cadsuane’s appointed representative. Her letter to the Red Ajah Head was a crucial factor in the decision that the Reds should Bond Asha’man (Knife of Dreams, Prologue). Graendal captured and Compelled her in the Last Battle, and used her channelling strength until it gave out (A Memory of Light, Impossibilities).

10. Ronaille Vevianos Ajah: White

Ronaille was one of three Aes Sedai Rand stilled when he broke through the shield (Lord of Chaos, Dumai’s Wells). She was not declared da’tsang because the Wise Ones thought being stilled enough punishment (Winter’s Heart, Wonderful News). She was in Cairhien and swore fealty to Rand after Damer Flinn Healed her (Winter’s Heart, Bonds).

11. Janine Pavlara Ajah: Red

Janine is a newly raised Aes Sedai and does not have the ageless look yet. She was one of the last four da’tsang Aes Sedai to swear to Rand, and was in Cairhien prior to the Last Battle.

12. Chisaine Nurbaya Ajah: Red

Chisaine was one of the last four da’tsang Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand. Prior to the Last Battle she was in Cairhien.

13. Innina Darenhold Ajah: Red

Innina was one of the last four da’tsang Aes Sedai to swear to Rand. The Taraboner Red was in Cairhien prior to the Last Battle.

14. Vayelle Kamsa Ajah: Red

Vayelle was the last da’tsang prisoner to swear fealty to Rand:

"Late last night," Sorilea said … "Chisaine Nurbaya asked to serve the Car'a'carn." … "Before first light, Janine Pavlara asked, then Innina Darenhold, then Vayelle Kamsa. They had not been allowed to speak to one another. There could be no collusion. I accepted their pleas.

- Winter’s Heart, Wonderful News

We can probably assume that Verin's compulsion was a, if not the, contributing factor in the Reds swearing fealty. The fact that the Reds took so long to swear shows how hard they had to search within themselves to find a reason to obey Verin's instructions (a limitation of Verin's compulsion). Vayelle was in Cairhien prior to the Last Battle.

15. Turanna Norill Ajah: White

Turanna does not have a Warder (The Path of Daggers, Deceptive Appearances). Prior to the Last Battle she was in Cairhien.

16. Marith Riven Ajah: Brown

Marith is newly raised Aes Sedai and does not yet have the ageless look (A Crown of Swords, High Chasaline). The Murandian Brown was in Cairhien prior to the Last Battle.

17. Fera Sormen Ajah: White/Black

Fera is in not in Elza’s heart and Elza wanted to sound her out to find out why she swore fealty. Prior to the Last Battle she was in Cairhien. Fera had no Warder (Robert Jordan’s Rand notes).

18. Nalaene Forrell Ajah: Yellow/Black

Named in The Wheel of Time Companion and in Robert Jordan’s Rand notes as being of the Yellow Ajah even though Galina thought that the main body of the embassy was composed of only Green, Red and White sisters. She swore fealty to Rand and prior to the Last Battle was still in Cairhien. Nalaene was named as Black in Verin’s report and Egwene knew she had sworn to Rand (The Gathering Storm, A Visit From Verin Sedai).

19. Nelavaire Demasiellin Ajah: Green

Brandon Sanderson answered a question on her in March 2011:

Nelavaire is one of the 23 Aes Sedai who were captured at Dumai's Wells and later swore fealty to Rand.

The Cairhienin Green bonded the Asha'man Naeff and was with him for at least some of the Last Battle.

20. Cairlyn Nesolle Ajah: Yellow

Named in The Wheel of Time Companion and in Robert Jordan’s Rand notes as being in Elaida’s embassy to Rand, and to be of the Yellow. She swore fealty to Rand while under Verin’s Compulsion.

21. Elaiva Walfor Ajah: Grey

Named in The Wheel of Time Companion as being in Elaida’s Embassy to Rand, and to be of the Grey Ajah even though Galina thought that the main body of the embassy was composed of only Green, Red and White sisters. The Murandian Grey swore fealty to Rand while under Verin’s Compulsion.

22. Razina Hazzan Ajah: Brown

Named in The Wheel of Time Companion as being in Elaida’s Embassy to Rand, and to be of the Brown Ajah. The Saldaean sister swore fealty to Rand while under Verin’s Compulsion.

23. Mayam Colona Ajah: White

Named in Robert Jordan’s Rand notes and Egwene notes as an Aes Sedai in Elaida's embassy. The Tairen White has no Warder. She swore fealty to Rand while under Verin’s Compulsion.

C. Twelve Aes Sedai escaped the Battle of Dumai's Wells.

Covarla reported to Elaida when she returned to the Tower:

"I—brought eleven other sisters with me, Mother.”

- A Crown of Swords, Sealed to the Flame

The total number of those who escaped back to Tar Valon (including Covarla): three Reds, four Greens, two Whites, two Brown, and one Gray (Robert Jordan’s Aes Sedai notes). They also brought the Younglings back with them (see below). Elaida ordered them to stay in the village of Dorlan as punishment and to give her time to lessen the political effect of the disaster.

1. Covarla Baldene Ajah: Red

Covarla ranked highest of the twelve Aes Sedai who returned in A Crown of Swords. They were told by Elaida to stay in Dorlan.

2. Caren Endelle Ajah: Red

Caren returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown.

3. Chai Rugan Ajah: Brown/Black

Kandori sister Chai is listed in Robert Jordan’s Aes Sedai notes as having been a part of Elaida’s expedition that escaped Dumai’s Wells and stayed in Dorlan until allowed to return to the Tower.

4. Hattori Gatano Ajah: Green

An Illianer Aes Sedai of low strength who went on the embassy because she didn’t like the way things were in the White Tower: hostility between Ajahs, Elaida’s tyrannical behaviour, etc (The Gathering Storm, An Oath and a Departure). She was keen to return to Tar Valon to tell the Greens of what the intentions of the Embassy really were and how Rand was treated. She was joined at Dorlan later by her Warder Sleete when he recovered his injuries. In Towers of Midnight, Hattori and Sleete had returned to the White Tower. As would be expected, Sleete was with the Aes Sedai forces at the Last Battle.

5. Lusonia Cole Ajah: Green (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes)

A newly-raised Andoran sister who does not have the ageless look yet (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes), Lusonia was in Dorlan (Crossroads of Twilight, Prologue). She has one Warder (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes).

6. Nubei Peldovni Ajah: White

Nubei returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown. Like many Whites, the Arafellin sister does not have a Warder (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes).

7. Sanaiye Asaheen Ajah: Green

Sanaiye returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown. The Domani sister has two Warders (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes).

8. Serafelle Tanisloe Ajah: Brown
Serafelle is listed in Robert Jordan’s Aes Sedai notes as having been a part of Elaida’s expedition that escaped Dumai’s Wells and stayed in Dorlan until allowed to return to the Tower.

9. Teire Alentaine Ajah: Grey

Teire returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown. She has one Warder (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes).

10. Valene Sural Ajah: Red

Valene returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown. She does not yet have the ageless look and helped to capture Rand.

11. Vasha Ajah: Green

Vasha was in Dorlan with her Warder Marlesh (The Gathering Storm, An Oath and a Departure). She is not mentioned in Robert Jordan’s notes on those Aes Sedai who escaped back to Tar Valon. Instead, a Red named Dolera Meith is listed.

12. Wynera Ovan Ajah: White

Wyndera returned with Covarla (The Wheel of Time Companion) but her present whereabouts is unknown. Like many Whites, she has no Warder (Robert Jordan, Aes Sedai notes).


All these Aes Sedai were in Dorlan, a tiny village near Tar Valon. Katerine Alruddin had joined them there by Crossroads of Twilight for a short time, but then returned to Tar Valon. She dropped by in The Gathering Storm, to teach them the Travelling weave and to tell them to use it to strike at the rebel army. Many of the group could not Travel without linking however.

Once the rebel and the White Tower Aes Sedai united, the Younglings and the non-Black sisters among this group returned to the White Tower.

D. Three Aes Sedai died during the Battle of Dumai's Wells.

Three Aes Sedai corpses had been found, their channeling unable to save them from spears and arrows in the madness of battle, and half a dozen dead Warders, too.

- A Crown of Swords, The Butcher’s Yard

In Knife of Dreams, Embers Falling on Dry Grass we learn from Tsutama Rath that two of the three dead sisters were Red. (Note: In the passage in question, Tsutama thinks three of the four dead sisters were Red, but she mistakenly includes Galina as one of the dead sisters, so her count is off by one.)

1. Laigin Arnault Ajah: Red

2. Amira Moselle Ajah: Red

Formerly the Mistress of Novices under Sierin Vayu, and more recently a Sitter for the Red Ajah, Amira stepped down as Sitter and was replaced by Elaida shortly before Suian Sanche was deposed and Elaida was raised as Amyrlin Seat.

The information on Amira dying at Dumai's Wells was revealed by Jordan at '05 ComicCon.

3. Mirlene Cornwell Ajah: Green

Listed in The Wheel of Time Companion.

In Sum

The number of Aes Sedai listed in sections A, B, C, and D totals thirty-nine, so all of the Aes Sedai in Elaida's embassy are accounted for.


Warders

Six Warders were killed in the battle of Dumai’s Wells. The number of warders captured was greater than the number of Aes Sedai captured:

The captive Aes Sedai's surviving Warders sat some distance off, under their own guard. … More Warders than there were Aes Sedai; a number of the prisoners were Green Ajah, apparently.

- A Crown of Swords High Chasaline

Perrin's observation is interesting. Of the twenty-three AS captives, six are known to be Red and therefore have no Warders. Of the remaining seventeen captives, eight of them (Nesune, Coiren, Sarene, Turanna, Erian, Elza, Beldeine, and Irgain) have a combined five living Warders between them. Which means that the remaining nine captives must have at least nineteen Warders between them. Of course, some of the captive Warders may be bonded to Aes Sedai who escaped to Dorlan, not to the captives.

Marlesh and Sleete escaped Dumai’s Wells. Sleete:

had lain wounded for hours before deliriously managing to grab his horse's reins and pull himself into the saddle. It had loyally carried him, near unconscious, for hours before arriving at a nearby village. The villagers there had been tempted to sell Sleete to a local band of bandits—their leader had visited earlier promising them safety as a reward for revealing any refugees from the nearby battle. However, the mayor's daughter had argued for Sleete's life, convincing them that the bandits must be Darkfriends if they were seeking wounded Warders. The villagers had chosen to hide Sleete instead, and the girl had nursed him to safety…Sleete had left in the night, after the girl and her family fell asleep—but in return for the village's mercy, he'd hunted down the bandits and seen to it that they would never plague the village again.

- The Gathering Storm, An Offer and a Departure

We also know the name of another Warder, but not his Aes Sedai or his fate:

Once outside, Galina snapped at the stocky Warder on guard. "Watch her [Min] properly, this time." Carilo had not been on guard during the incident last night [when Rand killed two of Erian's Warders, after learning that Min was in the camp], but there was too much mollycoddling of the Gaidin. If they had to exist at all, they should be treated as soldiers and no more.

- Lord of Chaos, The Feast of Lights

Younglings

The Younglings were commanded by Gawyn Trakand. They were sent with the Aes Sedai embassy to ‘provide an honour guard’ for Rand (Lord of Chaos, Like Lightning and Rain) and also because Elaida wanted them gone from Tar Valon. They numbered well over five hundred (due to new recruits joining them on the way) although only one hundred went into the city of Cairhien:

"They have apparently placed a hundred guards under that roof, [Lady Arilyn’s palace]" Bair said.
”A hundred!" Egwene exclaimed. "They brought a hundred men?"
Amys shook her hear. "More than five hundred. Timolan's scouts found most of them camped less than half a day north of the city."

- Lord of Chaos, Like Lightning and Rain.

Galina was supposed to 'lose' the Younglings somewhere; she had planned to have the Shaido attack them:

In a few days she would make use of them [the Shaido] again, in the second part of Sevanna's "bargain." The regrettable death of Gawyn Trakand, and the better part of his Younglings.

- Lord of Chaos, The Feast of Lights.

Gawyn was aware of this. The Younglings did suffer great losses at Dumai’s Wells:

He had brought five hundred and eighty-one Younglings south, almost every one who was far enough along in training to leave Tar Valon, but fewer than two hundred waited on their horses in the hollow.

- A Crown of Swords, Prologue

Elaida expelled those Younglings left behind from the city while Gawyn was gone and they joined him in Dorlan when he returned from Dumai’s Wells, bringing the total of the Younglings to 300 (The Gathering Storm, Nightfall). They conducted supply raids against the rebel army and killing scouts at Elaida’s orders but after reunification they returned to the Tower. Some became Warders, others chose to join the Tower Guard.
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Written by Linda and BobH, August, 2005 and updated September 2013 and August 2019