The Seanchan and the White Tower

Tim Bruening

2010-04-01 01:37:13 UTC

Spoilers For tGS:

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Post by Matthew Kuhl
This is my little theory about what the Seanchan are up to, or will
be, in MOL.
There were rumblings in the recent books that the Seanchan were
knocking on Illian's door, so to speak. Colonists and units of
soldiers were crossing the western Illian border. Gregorin den
Lushenos, Rand's Steward in Illian, was supposedly raising troops to
counter the Seanchan. So, to all intents and purposes, it looks like
the Seanchan are aiming at Illian as their next conquest.
But, come on, give me a break. That's too obvious. These are the
people who took Amador so quickly that there wasn't even a rumor of
their coming before they were there. The only warning when they
attacked Ebou Dar was a bad feeling in Mat's stomach. If the Seanchan
want to be quiet, they can be pretty damn quiet. So they obviously
aren't aiming at Illian.
What would be an even better target for the Seanchan than Illian? The
White Tower, perhaps?
1. The White Tower controls most of the trade from the Borderlands.
Certainly, you get people like Bayle Domon, who was coming down from
Saldaea in EOTW. But most people come down the Erinin.
2. It gives them a vise, so to speak, to squeeze Andor and Murandy,
from Altara and Tar Valon, should the attack on Tar Valon be
successful.
3. We know the Seanchan are planning to attack Tar Valon- Karede
mentioned it in COT, connecting the planning for it with "Captain
Yulan." As in "Air Captain Yulan"? The man who is in charge of the
Seanchan Air Force?

Indeed. He made it a purely air attack. He might repeat his air tactics
at Tarmon Gai'don.

Post by Matthew Kuhl
4. Western Andor is sparsely populated, and the area north of it even
more so.
5. An attack on Tar Valon would give them lots of damane. Lots and
lots, considering the AS, Accepted, and novices that both the rebels
and the TAS have.
6. Egwene saw what was probably a raken in COT right before she was
captured. A scout, perhaps?
All of these add up to point in the direction of an imminent attack on
Tar Valon. Here's how it might work.
The Seanchan use raken and to'raken to transport their army across
western Andor. There aren't too many people there, but why take a
chance with being spotted and news getting out. We know that to'raken
are pretty good at transporting things. Once the whole army is
assembled and ready to go, the Seanchan move east and attack Tar
Valon.

You were almost spot on, except that the Seanchan attack was an air attack
and just a raid, not an attempt to hold territory.

Post by Matthew Kuhl
Of course, it has the potential for so many complications. Will they
attack right as Egwene begins the revolt to take down Elaida? Might
they take sides with one faction or another? Something to watch for
when MOL comes out, certainly.

I was disappointed that the Salidar AS didn't come to the aid of the White
Tower (except for a small force led by Gareth Bryne, Siuan, and Gawyn, who
came to rescue Egwene, not help the WT).