I propose (and this may be a bit shaky, but here I go, proposing it anyways) that the Amayar on Tremalking are not peaceful, Water-way-following happy folk - this is The Illusion.

Instead, they are a hidden colony of Dreadlords, ready to rise up and lead the armies of the Dark One in the Last Battle. The peaceful stuff is an Illusion; the reality is about to be revealed.

Wait, it gets better.

First, let's examine the nature of the Amayar. They are peaceful, and follow the Water Way, which is analagous to the Way of the Leaf:

"The Water Way, while not as pacifistic as the Way of the Leaf, still prizes acceptance of what is rather than what might be wished for. There is a strong strain of belief among them that what we call ‘reality' is not truly real, but only a waypost on the path to another existence. Violence is frowned upon. While young men might get into a fistfight or wrestling match, they would be held up to public shame for it."

--The Big White Book

The premise that reality isn't quite what it seems to be, and that this is only a waypost on the way to a different life...this makes it fairly easy to dismiss any 'suspicious' comments from any Amayar. One might think, "Of course they don't make sense - they think life is an illusion." Well, it is - but the jokes on everyone else!

Also, what better way to disguise a group of bloodthirsty future Dreadlords than to hide them on a peace-loving island that is rarely visited, but close enough to the action to be available on demand?

"A great stone hand stuck out of the ground clasping a clear sphere as large as a house. And that sphere was shining like a glorious summer sun. All thoughts of the Atha'an Miere gone, Timna gathered her cloak and sat down on the ground, smiling to think that she might see the fulfillment of prophecy and the end of Illusion."

--Winter's Heart, With the Choedan Kal

"And on distant Tremalking, the word began to spread that the Time of Illusions was at an end."

--Winter's Heart, With the Choedan Kal

Hmm. Some prophecy seems to be triggered by the activation of the Choedan Kal statue on Tremalking. There is no evidence that this is a Dark Prophecy - but there is no evidence that this is NOT a Dark Prophecy, either. Or even not a prophecy - perhaps the idea was planted by Ishamael in one of his sojourns out of the Bore.

Additionally, the Amayar are "governed" by a rotation of Sea Folk governors, who are so unhappy about being away from the water that they don't focus much on their governed masses, but instead on how to get away from the job. In fact, in Winter's Heart we learn that "even the Sea Folk governors have left Tremalking to search for the Coramoor". Rather conveniently, the End of Illusions is near, leaving the Amayar free to do whatever they wish without anyone noticing.

Another point that emphasizes the shadiness of the Amayar - they are the true source of the Sea Folk porcelain! It's a big lie! Any group of people who contributes to such a scheme is implicated by their cooperation. Also, how do they make such wonderful pottery? Perhaps by using the One Power, which would make sense if Tremalking was full of Porcelain-making Dreadlords!

Finally - and this is the most damning - Alviarin returns from Tremalking in Crossroads of Twilight, not concerned, not worried, and after a significant chunk of time. What was she doing there? And if the End of Illusions is a "good" thing (meaning it benefits the Forces of the Light), why is she not extremely concerned? She is even amused when she considers how the Sea Folk Sister will react to the news from Tremalking.

I expect it would be amusing for Alviarin to observe the reaction of a Sister to the idea that peaceful Tremalking was, in fact, a Dreadlord training camp! If something was stirring that would help the Light, she might be a little more concerned. Also, why else might Mesaana send her as "her message girl" unless there is a Dark Plot afoot on the island?

Have at it!