A couple of things, right off hand.

Yes, I agree, this isn't RJ's voice -- I never expected as much. The only thing that Sanderson wrote that really stuck out (apart from the bit about Cadsuane comparing torture to artwork), was the words "alabaster spire." That was...strange, like something I'd expect from a very good message board role-player. These are ultimately minor complaints. As far as I'm concerned, it was an excellent chapter.

There's also something that comes immediately to mind regarding Semirhage, Cadsuane and Nynaeve, albeit a very vague something. When the Wondergirls capture one of the original thirteen Black Ajah that they were sent against (I think in Book seven, maybe Book eight), and Adeleas and Vandene are put in charge of her questioning, Robert Jordan listed a laundry list of things that they didn't do. I remember thinking that the restrictions were so numerous that they couldn't possibly get any information out of her, but she became more compliant each and every day. Whatever it was, I guess it was well too far beneath Semirhage.

Speaking of Semirhage, I can't get over the idea that she must have deliberately placed herself in Rand's hands. Somebody was blogging about the ease of her capture and how absolutely horrible her attack against Rand was launched, and I can't help but thinking "she's strategizing." The first thing she does is get into Rand's head - and expose his dirty little secret about LTT. She could be putting herself into a position where she will do considerably more damage.

I think that the blurring of Rand's vision is relevant to the title of the Chapter. Rand is holding back tears. I think that Cadsuane needs to teach him to let those tears go, because otherwise, he will never be able to move forward. Rand is hung up on the women who have died for him - and he often goes through a ritual of remembering their faces to make himself hard as steel. I think he would do well to let the past be the past, and I think that if anybody can teach him to do this, it's Cadsuane.

Final thoughts? Let's see. I believe that the references to "the box" and Lord of Chaos were deliberate. Sanderson is reminding us of what came of things when Rand "trusted an Aes Sedai," and while he has made concessions for Cadsuane, Nynaeve, and Elayne, thinking of Egwene as the Amyrlin Seat is very much like thinking of Egwene as Siuan Sanche - the woman who tried to use him until there was nothing left.

Ironically enough, Egwene's anger at Rand al'Thor for compulsing the Aes Sedai who follow Elaida brings to light one of Elaida's foretellings, and a very straightforward interpretation.

"The White Tower will be whole again, except for the remnants cast out and scorned, whole and stronger than ever. Rand al'Thor will face the Amyrlin Seat and know her anger. The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds. This, I foretell!"

-A Crown of Swords, page 18
Elaida do Ahvriny a'Roihan

The only uncertainty, in my opinion, lies in the "rent in fire and blood" line, concerning the Black Tower. That may be a reference to the battle hardened students who wear the black, or an allusion to an upcoming battle (perhaps between Taim and Logain, or Taim and Rand - who can say?) Everything else clearly states that Egwene will unite the Tower, Rand will know her anger, Elaida and her "remnants" will be cast out and scorned, and Aes Sedai (who are bonded to the Asha'man) will walk th grounds of the Black Tower. Or, it could be referring to the Aes Sedai who came to bond the Asha'man in the first place? Either way, a very neatly unfolded prophecy.

Thanks!