It could also serve, particularly in Egwenes case, to remove support among their followers. The Dragons different role in Seanchan prophecy and their indoctrination makes them more resistant (though the Ever Victorious Armys defeats have surely eroded the latter for witnesses), but a lot of Egwenes support also rests on an unbroken string of victories. She even turns major disasters like letting her presumptuous humility get her captured into stunning victories. If she or Tuon causes the Dragons apparent death (or are thought to do so) their followers may question loyalty to women whose admirably strong wills kill the ONE person indispensable to the Lights victory. A lot of my view of Egwene is colored by the belief her job is to put the pieces in place for Rand during TG and Logain afterward, but causing Rands apparent death could well reveal to Aes Sedai what many others have already noted: The difference between Egwene and Elaida isn't that the latter was overbearing, it's that the former is more subtle and successful while remaining just as obstinately patronizing.

I've always thought Moridins sha'rah game was meant to illustrate a strong WoT theme that intelligent, forceful, experienced and RIGHTEOUS leaders fall to disaster if they consider everyone else beneath them in ability, integrity or both. That's THE problem with how Egwene treats Rand (and everyone else); she cares about him, but TRUSTS him with nothing important unless he has her careful and vastly superior oversight. How many otherwise ideal leaders have we seen that destroy? Egwene, I believe, will and was always intended to drive that home in the person of a major character very well liked, undeniably on the Lights side and everything one could ask for in a leader except for one fatal flaw. I'd question the need, except the point seems to have been generally lost. Hopefully she won't be turned and give her acolytes and excuse for a fall into irretrievable ruin; probably the worst scenario would be that she's turned, does horrible things and is then miraculously "Healed" by Nynaeve or Flinn or someone (even though it could be argued that a turned channeler isn't really "injured", just evil). Regardless, in regards to the sha'rah board I expect Egwene to be (painfully) broken of that habit one way or the other. Telling people how it was supposed to be is EXACTLY what Rand did in trusting and RELYING on the discretion of others to do their part without his direct supervision; it fits neatly with the importance the WoT attaches to free will. The failure of leaders on both sides to respect others autonomy (it's almost anathema to the Shadow, yet subordinates still invariably seek their own path to some degree) is, IMHO, a big theme in the series.

I'm not sure Avi will tell him that, or convince him if she does. The Dragons Peace sucked for channelers within territory they already conquered, but the only reason it sucked for anyone else was because Avis granddaughter deceitfully presented a Seanchan contingency defense as a planned offensive, starting a war that led to the fall of many previously free and peaceful Westland kingdoms and the Seanchan hunting the Aiel to extinction, all because of false pride and lust for power based on her descent from Rand. That can be averted by simply teaching their kids to teach THEIR kids not be proud greedy liars, but if they don't do that preventing the Dragons Peace may not change much. I have a lot more hope for Tuon because I think Mat has real potential as a moderating force, as do his and Rands efforts with damane and captured Aes Sedai. Who's Egwenes comparable moderating force? Gawyn, the man who considers it a major compromise not to kill Rand until AFTER the Last Battle and apparently left his penis in Egwenes belt pouch? No, I don't expect Egwene to back down at Merrilor: I expect her to break like the oak because she won't bend like the willow.

The alliance between Egwene and Tuon makes sense but, mainly because I expect Egwene dogmatic obstinance to breaking the Seals will break her on the Pattern, I think Logains future glory will be leading the Aes Sedai as her successor, a consequence rather than a prerequisite of the Last Battle. The Pattern can't make anyone do anything, but it can run over those who refuse to do what it wants. Like my grandfather used to say, "I can't make you do it, but I can make you wish you had". There again I have more hope for Tuon than for Egwene; Tuon is has centuries of conditioning telling her that, as the Empress, all should, MUST, obey her without thought or question. Egwene has no such rationale to convince her of her infallible authority (indeed, just the opposite) yet she insists on it whether she's consciously aware of doing so or not. That's not to say she can't overcome something apparently in her nature rather than ingrained as with Tuon, but I don't expect it. I think it's at least as likely that she'll approach Tuon with something like "Look, I know you just attacked the Tower directly (twice) but the mean old Dragon is being an immature poopy head (i.e. not doing as he's told) and as a woman you should help me oppose him". Maybe one of the terms of the Dragons Peace will be that all Amyrlins must be released from adam. I do like the idea of the Dragons absence forcing the world to unify for survival on its own just as he attempted to do himself while present, and everyone learning for themselves what their concerted roles should be, I'm just not sure how large a role, if any, Egwene will have in that.