When Elayna finds the Amyrlin, she tells her of the Black Ajah. The Amyrlin then tells Elayna of the importance of the odd "ter’angreal": Elayna, a weak channeller, has the potential to be the most powerful being on earth. Since her childhood, the Amyrlin has shielded Elayna from the One Power for her own protection, and the odd "ter’angreal" is able to unlock that power. Just as the Amyrlin is about to use the "ter’angreal" on Elayna, the assassin and Sephraem break in, kill the Amyrlin, and take the "ter’angreal" as well as the Amyrlin's seal.