I anticipate a generally intact monolithic body of channelers like the Age of Legends Aes Sedai by the Last Battle; this theory seeks to demonstrate how, as well as potential consequences.

The title is simple but the theory complex; counting the third of Aes Sedai waiting for a clear winner between Elaida and Egwene, and the Kin, at least five or six channeling groups exist just within the White and Black Towers, before considering the Wise Ones or Windfinders. Most of those aren’t directly relevant to this theorys purpose, however, which is to forecast the manner and ramifications of resolving conflicts between

1) Shadow and Light loyalists within the White and Black Tower and

2) The artificial division between male and female channelers represented by those Towers themselves.

Above all, it’s obvious there are large factions inside both Towers loyal to the Dark One. The Black Ajah is known among Aes Sedai, and Taims adoption of Moridins livery, plus his quotation of the Dark Ones command to “Let the Lord of Chaos rule” at the end of Knife of Dreams makes it clear he and those receiving his “private lessons” are an equivalent fifth column in the Black Tower. The whole purpose of both groups is to sabotage efforts by channelers serving the Light, and the only need for secrecy is to preserve their effectiveness for the future, increasingly moot with the imminence of Tarmon Gaidon. As the Seals weaken and shatter the Dark Ones agents are already taking more direct and overt roles; it’s a given that will erupt into open confrontation at or just before Tarmon Gaidon itself.

If the traitors don’t reveal themselves, Logains allegations and the Black Ajah Hunters investigation will uncover them soon, setting the stage for the same confrontations. Two people involved in those efforts, however, make the potential for mayhem even greater: Logain and Pevara.

Logain has his own group of loyalists, 49 members of the Black Tower who have each Bonded an Aes Sedai, in addition to the two he himself has Bonded. They are, of course, loyal to Elaida, being sent by her, “But she [Alviarin] would still see that no Black sisters went with Toveine." (A Crown of Swords, Prologue : Lightnings) We know the Bond causes those wearing it to feel injuries to those holding it, so that the death of the latter can drive the former to self destructive acts, and that injuries to a channeler sudden and severe enough can kill a Warder outright, as when Rand stilling several Aes Sedai when he shatters the shield on him in LoC kills several Warders. We further know that while the Three Oaths generally prohibit Aes Sedai using the Power as a weapon, that restriction does not apply when their life or their Warders is in danger. Combined with Pevaras plans, sanctioned by Elaida, to Bond men from the Black Tower (which is largely Taims creature in the absence of both Rand and Logain) this makes the unthinkable likely: Aes Sedai in mortal combat with each other using the One Power.

In some ways this would be a neat resolution, though it’s unlikely the execution would prove entirely so seamless. Alviarins Black Ajah within Elaidas Tower uniting with Taims future Dreadlords in the Black, while Logain and his group follow Rands lead in at least favoring Egwenes Tower in Exile, means exposing either Taim or the Black Ajah immediately sets up an epic showdown between the four groups not equaled since the War of the Power. Regardless of personal preference or even Aes Sedai friendships lasting in some cases centuries, few Warders who can channel will sit idly by and watch their Bondholder be killed or seriously injured knowing the consequences to themselves. A Sister attacking Logain can expect a swift response from Gabrelle and Toveine, and once aware of the stakes (which the Reds will no doubt ensure at the outset) Bonded member of the Black Tower would respond similarly to an attack on their Aes Sedai by anyone from a Whitecloak squire to the Dragon Reborn himself. This squares with Foretellings we’ve already heard about, albeit second hand, from Nicola in CoT: “battles with the Seanchan or the Ashaman, an Amyrlin imprisoned, the Dragon Reborn doing nine impossible things, visions that might be Tarmon Gai'don or bilious stomach” (Chapter 17: Secrets, and thanks to the “Nine Impossible Things” threadstarter for the quote. )

Several nuances here are particularly fascinating, foremost being Elaida loyalists who, like Pevara, are very much RED rather than BLACK Ajah. Mazrim Taim has his personal experience to argue for Darkfriends in the senior ranks of channeling groups; while compromising the White Tower itself is no doubt one of his chief goals, seeking out members of the Black Ajah is almost certainly a key part of that. Not only does it serve his plans, but combined with the unexpected aid of Aes Sedai it offers him an asset without which he would be at a great disadvantage in confronting Rand: Linking. Given the intimacy of Links, however, as well as the use to which Taims cadre would put it, choosing Sisters whom they can trust (as much as any Darkfriend can trust anyone, especially each other) will be critical. This in turn means truly Red Sisters like Pevara are expendable (Bonding doesn’t change this; Taim ends derision of former foes by knocking people unconscious, so killing a few minor Soldiers to be rid of a troublesome Aes Sedai won’t trouble him at all. ) Or, alternatively, it means they must be turned to the Shadow, something access to Links (and Myrddraal) make possible for Taim.

The devastation this could wreak is hard to overestimate. Pevara is a founding member of the Black Ajah Hunters, and as such has already sworn on the Oath Rod that she is not herself Black Ajah, so turning her would immediately provide full access to all the Hunters plans as well as poise a very dangerous but totally unexpected weapon above each of their hearts. What’s more, Taim has every reason to turn her at his first safe opportunity; her role as a Red Sitter and part of the envoy to Taim, as well as having conceived the plan to Bond male channelers, marks her as someone with great influence inside the Tower. Further, her position as and in the company of other Sitters, along with Elaidas Keeper of the Chronicles, give Taim every reason to think the Bonding has Elaidas blessing despite her actual ignorance of it. Turning any or all of those women would be vital to a major coup that access to women channelers (and Links) will make irresistible to Taim: Turning Elaida herself. It’s entirely possible such developments could culminate in Gawyns desperate last minute mission to rescue Egwene from a fate worse than death.

Perhaps this isn’t the clearest indication of a restored Hall of Servants featuring both genders, but Rands attempts in the first chapter of The Gathering Storm to cross exam Lews Therin about why no women assisted the Strike at Shayol Ghul combine with another well known quote repeated there to argue for it:

“The north and the east must be as one. The west and the south must be as one. The two must be as one. ”

Rand himself has told us this is the key to victory, yet it’s always seemed an odd statement. It would be logical for the north and south to be made one, or the east and west; this would be clear argument he should seek the kind of absolute unity he has, but the unity of cardinal directions not in opposition, and the silence on unifying those that are, imply something else. Yet if “the ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai” is to no longer be so ancient, the north and east will be one in the Black Fangs location on the top right, and the west and south one in the White Tears on the lower left, and the two will be one again after eons in a single Tower, neither White nor Black, but Gray. Such is life.

In the end, however, there can only be one realistic outcome unless Jordan intends the series to be a bleak apocalypse in which the villain wins the day. The Last Battle cannot be won without the Dragon Reborn, so he must in the end triumph over Taims subversion to triumph over the Dark One. The Tower in Exile and Usurpers choosing sides in that only means that one of them will be annihilated along with Taims followers, and a single body of male and female channelers, many Bonded to each other, emerge as an integral force to face the Dark One at Tarmon Gaidon. Which, coincidentally, squares with what Elaida has already told us:

“The White Tower will be whole again, except for 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, Prologue : Lightnings)