title: Tracing the Shadow (The Alchymist's Legacy)
author:  Sarah Ash 
description: &#8220;This challenging, complex fantasy will appeal to readers of George R. R. Martin&#8217;s A Song of Ice and Fire series and Lois McMaster Bujold&#8217;s Chalion books; that is, to a tidy fantasy readership, indeed.&#8221;&#8212;<i>Booklist</i>, starred review<br><br><br>&#8220;A new series set in a land of warring nations and conflicting beliefs [with] graceful prose and well-drawn characters.&#8221; &#8212;<i>Library Journal<br><br></i>
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  ## Chapter 24
  
  ![Flame of Tar Valon](../Graphics/white_flame.gif)
  
  #### _An Embassy_
  
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  Turning away from the musicians on the street corner, a perspiring woman
  puffing at a long flute and a red-faced man plucking a nine-string bittern,
  Egwene threaded her way through the crowd with a light heart. The sun stood
  high in the sky, molten gold, and the paving stones were hot enough to burn
  through the soles of her soft boots. Sweat dripped from her nose, her shawl
  felt like a heavy blanket even looped loosely over her elbows, and there was
  enough dust in the air that she already wanted to wash, yet she smiled. Some
  people eyed her askance, when they thought she was not looking, which almost
  made her laugh. That was how they looked at Aiel. People saw what they
  expected to see, and they saw a woman in Aiel garb, never noticing her eyes or
  her height.
  
  Hawkers and peddlers cried 