Re: I agree with why you dismiss the idea .. - Edit 1
Before modification by Artsapat at 28/10/2010 07:43:19 AM
Plus, we learned in KoD that Tinkers are gathering in / migrating to Seanchan-held lands in the south (and especially around Ebou Dar) due to the safety Seanchan law provides them.
The clue we need to see I think is the fact that the fire has been there long enough to appear in TAR. I think Egwene is supposed to figure out from this that:
1) These Tinkers have been in one place for a long time, which means
2) they feel save enough to stay within Seanchan borders, which means
3) the Seanchan might not be the Dark One incarnate,
4) might in fact be strong allies (which would make me itch all over I must say, with their slavery views and will make Egwene itch all over for their treatment of channelers (I don't have the feeling she minds the slaves so much, does she?)),
5) so go over there and make peace, as the Last Battle is approaching.
It would nicely parallel Rand's observations right before he got sick in Ebou Dar.
This makes me think that maybe Egwene's future contact with the Seanchan (we know a Seanchan woman will save her, from one of her Dreams) will include Tinkers as well (maybe as peace brokers?), and THAT is why Need took her there (and why it was mentioned in TGS). At the time she was using Need, she was thinking about how to reconcile the WT, make it whole and strong again, etc., and I can see how needing to make some sort of resolution with the Seanchan plays into that.
I don't remember that viewing, will have to look it up. It will make the line of reasoning a bit more specific then just "make peace with the Seanchan".