Even the name of the land is in doubt. The natives have been known to call it many different names, including Shamara, Co’dansin, Tomaka, Kigali, and Shibouya.

Sben an Calhar: In the Old Tongue, “the Band of the Red Hand.” (1) A legendary group of heroes who had many exploits, finally dying in the defense of Manetheren when that land was destroyed during the Trolloc Wars. (2) A military formation put together almost by accident by Mat Cauthon and organized along the lines of military forces during what is considered the height of the military arts, the days of Artur Hawkwing and the centuries immediately preceding. See also Redarms.

Sisnera, Darlin: A High Lord in Tear, he was formerly in rebellion against the Dragon Reborn, but now serves as Steward for the Dragon Reborn in Tear.

so’jhin: The closest translation from the Old Tongue would be “a height among lowness,” though some translate it as meaning “both sky and val­ley” among several other possibilities. So’jhin is the term applied by the Seanchan to hereditary upper servants They are da’covale, property, yet occupy positions of considerable authority and often power Even the Blood step carefully around so’jhin of the Imperial family, and speak to so’jhin of the Empress herself as to equals See also Blood, the, da’covale.

Stump: A public meeting among the Ogier The meeting can be within or betweenstedding It is presided over by the Council of Elders of a stud­ding, but any adult Ogier may speak, or may choose an advocate to speak for him A Stump is often held at the largest tree stump in a sled­ding, and may last for several years. When a question arises that affects all Ogier, a Great Stump is held, and Ogier from all sledding meet to address the question The various stedding take turns hosting a Great Stump.

Sword-Captain: See Lance-Captain.

Taborwin, Breane: Once a bored noblewoman in Cairhien, she lost her wealth and status and is now not only a servant, but in a serious roman­tic relationship with a man whom she once would have scorned

Taborwin, Dobraine: A lord in Cairhien He currently serves as Steward for the Dragon Reborn in Cairhien

Tarabon: A nation on the Aryth Ocean. Once a great trading nation, a source of rugs, dyes and the Guild of Illuminators’ fireworks among other things, Tarabon has fallen on hard times Racked by anarchy and civil war compounded by simultaneous wars against Arad Doman and the Dragonsworn, it was ripe for the picking when the Seanchan arrived. It is now firmly under Seanchan control, the chapter house of the Guild of Illuminators has been destroyed and most Illuminators themselves made da’covale Most Taraboners appear grateful that the Seanchan have restored order, and since the Seanchan allow them to continue living their lives with minimal interference, they have no desire to bring on more warfare by trying to chase the Seanchan out There are, however, some lords and soldiers who remain outside the Seanchan sphere of influence and hope to reclaim their land

wasp-jelly: A small aquatic creature that appears to be made of jelly but stings severely when touched.

weight, units of: 10 ounces = 1 pound, 10 pounds « 1 stone, 10 stone = 1 hundredweight, 10 hundredweight = 1 ton.

Wild Hunt, the: It is believed by many that the Dark One (often called Grim, or Old Grim, in Tear, Ilhan, Murandy, Altara and Ghealdan) rides out in the night with the “black dogs,” or the Darkhounds, hunt­ing souls This is the Wild Hunt It is believed by many that merely seeing the Wild Hunt pass means imminent death, either for the viewer or for someone dear to the viewer It is held to be especially dangerous to meet the Wild Hunt at a crossroads, just before sunrise or just after sunset See also Darkhounds

Winged Guards, the: The personal bodyguards of the First of Mayene, and the elite military formation of Mayene Members of the Winged Guards wear red-painted breastplates and red helmets shaped like rimmed pots that come down to the napes of their necks in the back, and carry red-streamered lances Officers have wings worked on the sides of their hel­mets, and rank is denoted by slender plumes

Wise Woman: Honorific used in Ebou Dar for women famed for their incredible abilities at healing almost any injury. A Wise Woman is tra­ditionally marked by a red belt While some have noted that many, indeed most, Ebou Dan Wise Women were not even from Altara, much less Ebou Dar, what was not known until recently, and still is known only to a few, is that all Wise Women are in fact Kinswomen and use various versions of Healing, giving out herbs and poultices only as a cover With the flight of the Km from Ebou Dar after the Seanchan took the city, no Wise Women remain there See also Kin, the

Younglings, the: The first Younglings were young men studying under the Warders at the White Tower. They fought against their teachers who attempted to free Siuan Sanche after she was deposed from the Amyrlm Seat Led by Gawyn Trakand, the Younglings remained loyal to the White Tower, and fought skirmishes against Whitecloaks under Eamon Valda They accompanied Elaida’s embassy to the Dragon Reborn in Cairhien and saw action against the Aiel and Asha’man at Dumai’s Wells On their return to Tar Valon, they found themselves barred from the city. The Younglings wear green cloaks with Gawyn’s White Boar, those who fought against their teachers in Tar Valon wear a small silver tower on their collars They accept recruits wherever they go, but they do not take veterans or older men. One requirement is that the recruit must be willing to put aside all loyalties except to the Younglings. Older members teach the new recruits Warder techniques since they have given over accepting instruction from Warders, and several have refused offers of bonding from Aes Sedai. In many ways they hardly seem attached to the Tower and Aes Sedai at all. This is a result in part of their suspicion that they were not meant to survive the expedition to Cairhien.