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- Aviendha
- Egwene
- Elayne
- Lan
- Loial

- Matrim
- Min
- Moiraine
- Nynaeve
- Perrin
- Rand
- Thom

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- Book 1

- Book 2

- Book 3

- Book 4

- Book 5

- Book 6

- Book 7

- Book 8

- Book 9

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The Wheel of Time : Book 4

The Shadow Raising

Chapters

The Summary

Chapter 1 -- Seeds of the Shadow

Min has been traveling from Falme for months and has finally arrived in Tar Valon. She has been sent by Moiraine to deliver a message to the Amyrlin Seat and wants to be out of the city as soon as it is delivered. She is wearing a dress and is using her real name, Elmindreda, so that she will not be recognized. Inside the Tower everyone she looks at has a violent image around them. Many will die and many more will be injured -- all on the same day. Min is very frightened by these revelations.

Outside the Amyrlin's study she talks to Gawyn who is concerned about Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve. Around him she sees his sigil of the White Boar on a green background rather than a red one. Leane, the Keeper, recognizes Min, despite the disguise.

Around the Amyrlin Min sees a vision of the women naked, accompanied by the feeling that something else is wrong -- yet is unexplainable. Min relays Moiraine's message that Rand is traveling to Tear. Siuan comments that it is too soon for him. Min tells Siuan that she is in love with Rand and that she wants to go to Tear to be with him. The Amyrlin intends her to stay as bait for the Black Ajah. She will have Leane make it look like Elmindreda is a young women fleeing two suitor.

While talking to Gawyn, Elaida recognizes Min. She knows that Moiraine and Siuan are friends and are plotting to manipulate Rand. The Red sister intends to stop them as she believes that Rand will destroy the Royal Line of Andor and she will not let that happen. In a moment of realization she considers the possibility that Rand might be able to channel. She comes across Alviarin of the White Ajah while walking in the hall, and they begin plans to stop Siuan Sanche.

Child Byar is with Dain Bornhald just outside of the Two Rivers. Bornhald has been ordered to meet the man named Ordeith who is acting as his advisor. Ordeith is an insane little man. "We'll scour the Two Rivers. We will flog them and flay them and seer their souls! I promised him! He will come to me now! He will come!" Bornhald thinks Ordeith is a madman but ignores him for he is intent on seeking revenge for his father. He is seeking Perrin Aybara of the Two Rivers.

Lady Suroth is on the isles of Cantorin and has taken over as ruler. She has taken most of the Sea Folk and other sea-faring people hostage so they aren't able to report the Seanchan's presence. She has gathered a small legion of Seanchan that fled Falme six months ago and she is planning to lead the Return. She is waiting until she can be sure that the mainland has forgotten about the Seanchan and does not suspect that she is there.

Suroth is questioning Pura, a captured Aes Sedai who has been made damane, about how the Aes Sedai control the Dragon Reborn. The two sul'dam present are Taisa and Alwhin who is so'jhin, a servant of the Blood. When Alwhin and Pura have been dismissed, Suroth talks of a secret that only three others know. One of them is Alwhin. Suroth is determined to lead the Return.

Chapter 2 -- Whirlpools in the Pattern

Perrin and Faile are still in the Stone. It has been two weeks since Rand has taken the Stone. Perrin has since grown a beard and him and Faile have become quite close. Faile wants Perrin to leave with her, but he says that he is tied to Rand and cannot go. All of a sudden, Perrin's axe begins flying around the room trying to kill the two of them. Perrin struggles to throw Faile out of the room with one hand while grasping the axe in the other. When she is safely out he lets the axe fly at his head, moving out of the way just in time allowing it to stick in the door. It stopped only a couple of inches from Faile's nose on the other side. Perrin believes that Rand caused this but that he is not doing it on purpose.

Mat has had a fine red Andoran coat made for himself. He is gambling with a group of young lordlings who have been drinking and are throwing around large amounts of gold. He reflects on how Thom has settled into the Stone and how he will travel alone if he has to, but he will be leaving soon. He tells the lordlings how he asked Bain and Chiad to play Maiden's Kiss on Rhuarc's insistence. The two women had never before heard of a man asking to play. They put their spears to Mat's throat and each took a kiss.

One of the lordlings tells of a rumour that Rand will be starting a war with Illian. Mat doesn't believe it. He is dealt the five highest cards mutters in disbelief; it is in the Old Tongue and it is not the first time the lordlings have heard him speak it. Mat has no idea that he is using the Old Tongue. Three of the cards attack Mat, one of them stabbing his hand. When the fight with them is over, each of the cards are just cards again and are pinned to the wall with one of his knives. "Burn you Rand. If you have to go mad, leave me out of it!"

Rand is dreaming of Moiraine and the Amyrlin trying to put a leash on him while Forsaken and Darkfriends lurk in the surrounding darkness. Moiraine is afraid. Rand tells them that he has to leave and is in the Waterwood where Min and Elayne are undressing, wanting him to go swimming with them. Egwene appears and stomps away mad at him for being with her two friends. Min and Elayne call to him and he looks down at his hand -- it is wasting away. He wakes up in his room, in the Heart of the Stone, sweating profusely. Trying to go back to sleep he hears someone in his room. He jumps out of his bed with a sword of fire in his hand, but it is only Berelain. She tries incessantly to seduce him but he continually dissuades her although he finds her incredibly attractive. When she puts her arms around him he pushes her away with saidin and ties the flows off.

Without any warning, his reflections are coming out of all of the mirrors in the room. Three get out before he can destroy the mirrors. Each one has a sword of fire just like his. They are beating him badly when small reflections of himself appear out of silver around the room. He picks one up and absorbs it, restoring some of his vitality. When he lets his sword disappear, his opponents' do to. They all tackle him at once and he absorbs them; it is a sickening feeling.

Bleeding from sword and glass cuts he releases Berelain. She has become quite humble, calling him Lord Dragon instead of Rand and says that she will never bother him again. All that Rand wants to do is sit on his bed and remember a shepherd named Rand al'Thor. He thinks this might have been him going crazy, but suspects that it might have been one the Forsaken.

Chapter 3 -- Reflection

Perrin and Faile are walking through the Stone arm in arm. Perrin is bothered by the fact that people are scared of him and his eyes. It is revealed that Faile's father is a rich merchant in Saldaea. Up many sets of stairs they run into a High Lord and his two guards. The High Lord makes eyes for Faile making Perrin jealous. Perrin can smell fear from the man but it is nothing compared to what he smells form Berelain who walks right by them and has a word with the High Lord.

In front of Rand's chambers Faile has left Perrin to visit Rand by himself. Bain and Chiad put their spears to his neck but he just picks Bain up and says that he has to talk to Rand. They ask him if he would ever like to play Maiden's Kiss. At the sight of Rand, Perrin yells for Moiraine and they wonder if Mat is all right. Rhuarc comes in followed by Lan and Moiraine. Rhuarc and Lan share a smile when they joke about Rand not being able to shave. Moiraine heals him and tells him to get a new room but he refuses to be forced to move. Moiraine explains the incident as bubbles floating through the Pattern as the seal on the Dark One's prison weakens. She urges him to decide what to do, but he will not be pushed to a decision. Rand says to Perrin that he must catch everyone by surprise. Bain and Chiad bring in some wash-water and Rand asks everyone to leave. Outside, Rhuarc tells Perrin that Rand has yet to prove that he is their He Who Comes With The Dawn.

Chapter 4 -- Strings

Thom is in his room and is forging a note to the wife of the High Lord Carleon. Thom means Lord Carleon to find it where she might have carelessly left it. Be wary. Your husband suspects.' Thom is annoyed by his limp when he gets up to answer the door. Mat wants to know if anything strange happened to Thom and Mat tells him his story. Mat says he hasn't left Tear yet, although he wants to, because there are always reasons for him to stay another day. Ta'veren. Thom realizes it is ta'veren and easily convinces Mat to stay yet another day instead of leaving right then and there.

Chapter 5 -- Questioners

Egwene, Nynaeve and Aviendha are together. It is extremely hot and Nynaeve has been wearing colours that she knows Lan likes on women. Egwene and Nynaeve have been questioning Amico and Joiya individually. Amico has been stilled. She tells them that they must go to Tanchico. Liandrin said that there was something there that is dangerous to Rand. She claims ignorance of the Black Ajah that are still in the Tower saying that when they left the Tower they didn't know more that two or three others. Aviendha notices that the agelessness from Amico's face has disappeared.

Joiya says that she has repented her sins and walks once again in the Light. She is quite confident while being questioned where Amico was almost cowering. She claims that Liandrin plans to have Mazrim Taim, who is in Saldaea, proclaim that he is Rand al'Thor and then go about destroying the World. Taim is almost as strong as Rand is.

Moiraine comes storming into the room with Elayne right behind here. The Aes Sedai in rage.

Chapter 6 -- Doorways

Moiraine is very frustrated with Rand. He is not taking any action as the ruler of Tear. Moiraine orders for the Black Ajah to be taken back to the dungeons. Elayne is in tears because Berelain was in Rand's chambers. Egwene tells her friend that she loves Rand like a brother and wishes her well. Elayne asks Moiraine if she has ever been in love. She gives an ambiguous answer, but says to Nynaeve that if it ever happens, that it won't be Lan.

Moiraine tells the other women what happened to Rand in his room. She says that he must do something soon before he is seen as weak and indecisive. She wants him to start a war with Illian so that the world can see how powerful he is. She tells the others how he has been reading the prophecies. She also says that she is desperate with regard to figuring out what is going to happen in Rand's future. She is considering using the doorway ter'angreal in the Great Holding in the sub-basement of the Stone. When you walk through the doorway the people there will answer three questions; one about your past, one about your present, and one about your future. You can only go through once, and you cannot ask any questions that touch the Shadow. There is no need to channel to use it.

Moiraine leaves and Nynaeve and Egwene console Elayne with regards to her feelings for Rand. She has decided that she will continue their quest to find the Black Ajah even if Rand does love her and wants her.

Chapter 7 -- Playing With Fire

It is the next morning and Egwene and Elayne are dressed up to visit Rand. Just outside his chambers, Gaul, one of the Aiel guard, says that Rand is not in a good mood; he physically threw Lord Torrean out of his chambers. Inside, Egwene and Rand remember some times when they were younger. One of the reasons the two women are there is to see if they can help Rand channel. They determine that he can feel a women channel; he gets goose bumps. He has a little fun with them when they ask him to try something. He pinches each of their bottoms and they return it tenfold. When Egwene feels Rand's wound with the Power, she is almost sick for it seems that all the darkness in the world is concentrated within it.

When they urge him to do something more serious, he picks them both up into the air, lights the fireplace and many other things so that he has about ten flows going. It is at this point that Egwene realizes that he is much stronger than her. After they discuss how they reach for their respective sources, Egwene realizes the similarities between them only emphasize the differences. She tells Rand that she cannot marry him and doesn't love him anymore. They are both surprised at how well the other takes the fact that they will never marry. Egwene leaves.

Chapter 8 -- Hard Heads

Elayne is still in Rand's room which surprises him since he was lost in thought. Very nervously, she tells him that she is very fond of him and he returns the sentiment. She asks him to kiss her and he does so. They both enjoy it very much. Rand apologizes for his earlier actions and Elayne is determined not to have to share him with Berelain. Gaul comes in announcing the arrival of the High Lords and Elayne leaves.

When Elayne has gone, Rand is still half thinking about her while he is talking to the High Lords. He likes Elayne and Min just as much but he is confused. He doesn't think that Elayne meant that she loved him. He notices some tension between Carleon and Tedosian as mentioned in a note that he received in a newly cleaned coat from Thom. The High Lords are arguing that there are too many farmers in Tear since Cairhien doesn't trade with them anymore. Once he stops thinking about women, Rand is very upset with the other men and tells them exactly what to do with regards to the farmers. He says that they will trade with Illian and Altara and will hire ships from Mayene.

Mat falls in behind Egwene who is walking down the corridor. They complain that they haven't seen each other lately. Sometime in the past two weeks, Egwene and Nynaeve had to suspend Mat with Air while they searched his room for the letter they gave to him from the Amyrlin. Mat asks her for advice about what is going to happen to them and tells her that he is thinking about leaving. She tells him about the doorway ter'angreal and its dangers. She makes him promise not to use it without Moiraine's permission. He agrees as long as she doesn't tell Moiraine that he was asking for advice. Neither of them regret leaving their village with Moiraine on that fateful day so long ago. Mat says that he loves cities.

Chapter 9 -- Decisions

It has been so hot for the last three days that Tear has slowed down to a crawl. All of the lordlings and servants are avoiding Mat because they think that it is dangerous to be near him. Thom has all but disappeared and Perrin has become lost in his thoughts. With Moiraine always around, Mat really wants to leave. He ventures down to the Great Store to look at the doorway ter'angreal but doesn't go into the room. "I'd have to be the biggest bloody fool in the whole bloody world." He goes out into the city for hours at a time but has to return because of the pull he can feel from Rand.

Perrin is also out in the taverns looking for rumours that might interest Faile and persuade her to leave Tear before he gets her killed.

Nynaeve and Egwene continue to question Joiya and Amico but learn nothing new. Egwene has become good friends with Aviendha. The Aiel woman thinks that Elayne should challenge Berelain to a fight with knives.

With the Aiel's help, Elayne has spent much time with Rand, giving him advice about ruling Tear and his dealings with the High Lords. She is very happy. Sunamon and Meilan show Rand a treaty that he throws back at them and tells them to talk to Berelain like he told them to earlier. He threatens to hang two High Lords a day, starting with them, until he gets the treaty he wants. Rand is disgusted, both with himself and the High Lords.

Out of the blue, Selene is in his chambers and tells him that her real name is Lanfear. He thinks she is joking with him until he realizes that she has shielded him from saidin. She shows him what she really looks like which is even more beautiful than Selene. When she is taunting him, he replies with a Lews Therin memory, "and you love power!" Lanfear warns Rand about Sammael, Rahvin and Moghedien, among the other Forsaken that are hunting him down. He refuses to be part of her offer to have Asmodean teach him about saidin, kill the other Forsaken and then challenge The Dark One and the Creator. She continues to tell him that you can hear the Dark One talk if you go to Shayol Ghul.

Without any warning there is a Gray Man sneaking into Rand's chambers. Rand's eyes go right over him before he realizes what he is and kills him. He can't figure out how he would have been able to get by the Aiel guard outside of his chambers. Lanfear warns him not to go outside but he doesn't listen to her.

Chapter 10 -- The Stone Stands

Six Aiel and three Gray Men are dead right at the door. In the antechamber there are Defenders fighting Fades and Trollocs. Leaving Lanfear behind, Rand rallies the defenders with the cries, "Rally to the Stone", and "The Stone Stands". He kills the Fade and all the Trollocs in the immediate area die with it. More humans are lying dead on the floor than Shadowspawn. Hearing fighting far off, Rand rallies the remaining twenty-three Defenders through the corridor where they find servants, Aiel and even Ladies among the dead. All over the Stone Rand battles Myrddraal and Trollocs with both Defenders and Aiel supporting him. He sees Moiraine and Lan attacked; but not if they survive. While fighting he sees Darkfriends aiding the Shadowspawn and twice he sees Trollocs fighting Trollocs. He is nearly killed by a Trolloc but another one saves him. It is at that point that he sees two Fades fighting.

Lanfear approaches Rand and he throws her against the wall with Air and she does the same to him. She tells him that one of the Forsaken might try to steal Callandor making him rush back to his room to get it. On his way he runs right by Perrin and Faile.

With the sword in his hands, a Fade enters Rand's chambers and is burnt to a crisp. Rand runs through the corridors burning every Shadowspawn he encounters. Frustrated by how many there are, he does something he doesn't quite understand . He channels a large flow of the Power and burns every Trolloc and Myrddraal in the Stone.

Moiraine and Lan appear around the corner. She can't believe what he has just done. Rand becomes very upset when he sees a young girl lying dead on the floor. He tries, inanely to channel her back to life. Moiraine assures him that his friends are still alive.

Rand asks how that many Shadowspawn got into the Stone. Lan tells him that some large grain barges arrived from upriver a were left closed until sun-fall. As well, thirty wagons carried Trollocs and Fades. Rand says to Moiraine that he will reveal what he intends to do, tomorrow. To himself he says that Lanfear unknowingly helped him in decided what to do. "Unknowingly, she has given me the last piece. Tomorrow. A Good night to us all, the Light willing.'"

Chapter 11 -- What Lies Hidden

Egwene is going to enter the Dream World without the aid of her ring. Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne are all very scared. Aviendha is there with them and is armed. Egwene has been reading a fifty-three year old book on Tarabon, her destination in her dreams. She gives explicit instructions to be wakened in an hour. She is still really frightened by what Rand did earlier in the night. They took two ter'angreal from Joiya and Amico, both of which have been made to aid in entering Tel'aran'rhiod.

Egwene appears in the Unseen World and has trouble with clothes changing against her will because of stray thoughts. There is a huge skeleton right beside her in Tanchico. It is an elephant but she doesn't know what it is. She can feel, however, that it is incredibly ancient. There are many other skeletons like it with the same feeling. Walking around the room she find sees a broken statue on the shelf that calls' to her making her pick it up. The Power flows back and forth between her and the statue hurting her. She realizes that it must be a ter'angreal.

Wandering around some more, she sees a man appear for a few moments. He is only someone who touched the Dream World from his regular dreams. Egwene thinks of how much she could use the help of one of the Aiel Wise One dreamers that Aviendha told her about and she finds herself in the Waste facing a young Aiel women with a spear. She quickly returns herself to Tanchico.

Wandering the streets of the city, Egwene finds that things change when she backtracks; a jar on the counter is on the table only a few moments later. She finds it quite puzzling. There are also no horses in this world, but there are birds and insects. From out of nowhere, a man is falling form the sky right in front of her and disappears just before he hits the ground.

Thinking of the Wise Ones again, she finds herself back in the Waste in front of the same woman wearing Aiel garb. "You have no right to wear cadin'sor, girl." The women makes Egwene naked. Putting clothes back on herself, she makes the other woman's clothes disappear and goes back to Tarabon. Just before she leaves she thinks she sees Birgitte in the background.

Back in Tanchico, she sees a women flying in her dreams and does so herself, searching the city for signs of the Black Ajah. The Aiel woman appears in front of Egwene this time, looking much older than before. She is a Wise One and says that Tanchico is rotting with evil and urges Egwene to come to the Aiel waste so that she can be trained. Her name is Amys. Egwene is drawn to consciousness as Amys pleads with her to come to Cold Rocks Hold.

Chapter 12 -- Tanchico of the Tower

Egwene wakes up. Nynaeve and Elayne have been trying to wake her for minutes. Egwene tells them about Amys and the evil in Tanchico. Aviendha tells them that Cold Rocks Hold is Rhuarc's hold and that Aviendha's sister-mother is sister-wife to Amys. She goes on to explain the way marriages work in Aiel culture. Elayne tells Aviendha that she wants her to escort Egwene to Amys.

Moiraine enters telling them that Joiya and Amico have had their throats slit even though there were guards there all the time and they saw nothing. They suspect that it might have been done to stop them from talking or maybe as punishment for being captured. Aviendha says that she wants to go to Tanchico, not Cold Rocks Hold. Moiraine tells of the letter that she received just an hour ago. It was sent over a month ago, before they were in Tear, but it is addressed to her and is signed by Amys, Bair, Melaine and Seanna. According to Aviendha they are all Wise Ones and dreamwalkers. They want Aviendha to go to the slopes of Chaendaer near Rhuidean. She doesn't want to go but Moiraine has shown the letter to Rhuarc who will not her refuse. Moiraine tells Nynaeve and Elayne that there is an Atha'an Miere raker docked at the Maule that they can travel on. She also says that Aviendha and Egwene can go to Amys together.

Chapter 13 -- Rumors

Mat is alone at an inn table, ignoring the dicing and people around him. He is thinking back on earlier that night. No one in the city has really heard anything yet. He had just killed a Gray Man when a Fade appeared in front of him saying, "Time to die, hornsounder." Before it could kill him, Trollocs attacked it, killed it, looked at Mat and left.

In the tavern, he hears talk of Logain and Maseem (Masema) and how Maseem is in Saldaea and has destroyed Lord Bashere's forces. Moments later he hears the name Two Rivers' in the same conversation. He goes over to the table and finds out that Whitecloaks are in the Two Rivers hunting for the Dragon Reborn and a man with yellow eyes. There is no mention of anyone by his description.

Mat runs back to the Stone to see if Perrin has heard. He has. Perrin is going home and Mat wants to go with him but can't speak the words or make himself actually do it; the pull of ta'veren is too strong. Outside Perrin's room Mat bows to Berelain who completely ignores him. "I am not a carpet to walk over a I distinctly heard myself speak." He realizes that he cannot leave Rand, even if it is to defend his own village.

Chapter 14 -- Customs of Mayene

Mat has just left Perrin's room when Berelain comes in and tries to seduce him. She says that she is leaving tomorrow. Perrin asks her to leave repeatedly. Faile walks in on them and Berelain begins to caress Perrin telling him that she wants him to go to Mayene to do some ornamental ironwork for her. Perrin expects Faile to be furious with the situation but she isn't. Berelain leaves.

Faile wants to go home with Perrin but he won't let her. He thinks she will die with him and can't let that happen to her. To make her hate him and thus let him leave alone, he tells her that he likes Berelain and that he will probably visit her in Mayene. At that point, Faile stomps out of the room filled with rage. Perrin wants to run after her, but he is strong and lets her go.

Faile runs out of Perrin's room and confronts Berelain. Berelain thinks that Faile is a farmgirl, but Faile talks like she is some sort of royalty. Berelain throws her to the ground and takes the knife that the other woman had drawn. When the two of them are about to fight, Rhuarc steps in and breaks it up. He sends Berelain off to her room like a child and takes Faile's knives. When Rhuarc lets her go, Faile walks away lightheartedly knowing that Perrin is hers.

Chapter 15 -- Into the Doorway

Mat is down in the Great Hold looking at the doorway ter'angreal; it is shaped very oddly and is difficult to look at. Counting on his luck, he steps through. The person on the other side is snake-like in appearance. He says, "it has been a long time, but the seekers come again." He is quite adamant that Mat has brought no iron or instruments of music with him. He leads Mat down a very long hallway that is entirely contoured -- it has no straight lines. When Mat looks out the windows along the way, he doesn't see what he thinks he should based on how the hallway curves -- two windows only a few feet apart show two entirely different scenes.

Eventually, the hallway leads to two large doors and inside are three large pedestals upon each sit one of the snake-like people. "It has been long. Yet they come again." Mat tells them about the Two Rivers and the Whitecloaks and asks if he should return home to help his people. "The strain. The strain. The saviour. He is another." They tell Mat that he must go to Rhuidean -- he will die if he does not. "Why will I die?" "You will have sidestepped your fate and will be killed by those who don't want you it fulfill it.

After each of the answers that Mat receives, a very loud gong is sounded. By this time it seems like the entire building is shaking. They urge him to go quickly but he refuses to without some straight answers. They tell him that he is "to marry the daughter of Nine Moons", "to live and die again. To live a part of what was", "to give up half the light of the world to save the world".

Before Mat is carried of by a group of the snake people, the three upon the pedestals each urge him on. "Go to Rhuidean, son of battles", "Go to Rhuidean. trickster", "Go gambler! Go!" He is hurriedly carried off and thrown through the ter'angreal.

Back in his own world and cursing about how much the snake people left unanswered, Rand comes out of the doorway. Only moments later Moiraine too comes through. She is markedly upset with the two of them because the fact that they were both in there at the same time might have torn the connection and trapped them there forever. Rand tells her that he learned about the in two different books but he won't say what questions he had answered. The reference that Rand and Moiraine make about an interpreter lead Mat to the realization that he was communicating with the snake people in the Old Tongue. He denies having any questions answered saying that he didn't understand a word of what was said.

Moiraine assures Rand that the answers that he receives are true if they were about his own future. Rand tells Mat that he is not going to Emond's Field -- it is Perrin who must save their village.

Chapter 16 -- Leavetakings

Perrin wakes the next morning having had nightmares of him and Faile being killed by Whitecloaks in Emond's Field. He goes to Loial's room where he has been up half the night writing about what happened -- he has a lump on his head and a limp. There a many flowers about the room. Faile is there too. She tells Perrin how Loial saved many children and their mothers by holding the door against Trollocs and Myrddraal but denies being a hero. The flowers are from the women that he saved.

Loial saw Laefar, another Ogier, yesterday and learned that he has been named a runaway and that his mother has someone for him to marry. Perrin asks him if he will lead them through the Ways and Loial accepts, even though he will not be able to finish book about the Dragon Reborn. Faile says that Loial promised that he would take her into the Ways whenever she wanted and she wants to go now. Loial won't break his oath to her, but he pleads with her to see the urgency in Perrin's request. She wants Perrin to ask to come along but he refuses saying that he will follow them through. Loial actually gets angry at the two of them for being so stubborn.

Outside the room Gaul has been informed that Perrin is leaving and wants to accompany the blacksmith. Perrin is glad to have him along. The Aiel is startled when he mentions the Ways but only responds with, "Death comes for all men, Perrin".

In Nynaeve's room, Egwene is mad for not being upset that Elayne has decided to leave. Elayne has written him a letter "laying (her) heart open to him like a stone-blind fool"

Lan bursts in yelling at Nynaeve for deceiving him about her destination. He says that they are not safe in Tanchico; they need a warder. He wants to go with them but she commands him not to with the letter from the Amyrlin. Spontaneously, he kisses he very passionately. She only resists momentarily. "You have made a place in my heart where I thought there was no room for anything else...if you die, I will not survive you long." With an elegant bow, he departs.

Nynaeve tells Elayne and Egwene that she really does want him, but she doesn't want him to break his oath with Moiraine. She wants Moiraine to let him go of her own accord. Before they leave Egwene, Elayne reveals that she intends to write another letter to Rand.

Chapter 17 -- Deceptions

Thom has been up all night planting seeds for rumours that will remove the loyalty of the commoners from the High Lords and shift it to Rand. Upon returning to his room he finds Moiraine looking through some papers in his room. She partially heals the leg that Thom injured in the fight he had with the Fade that day he saved Rand and Mat. She continues to mention how Lord Carleon was accidentally killed by Lord Tedosian while hunting and that Tedosian died shortly after--he was poisoned by his wife. Thom knows that Moiraine knows he is responsible for their deaths but claims ignorance nonetheless. She goes on to reveal what she knows about Thom (the Gray Fox) and his relationship with Morgase. She also reveals that she knows that Taringail died before he could kill Morgase and become the first Andoran King. We learn that Thom is so experienced in the Game of Houses that he could play it in his sleep--Morgase is still very beautiful to him.

Thom gets back at the Aes Sedai by exhibiting his knowledge that Moiraine is of House Damodred, the youngest half-sister to Taringail and niece to King Laman, killer of the Avendoraldera.

Moiraine wants Thom to go to Tanchico with Elayne and Nynaeve. She says that he will not die, although he knows she cannot foretell and doesn't understand how she could be so sure. She mentions his nephew, Owyn, and says that she will give him the names of the Red Sisters that gentled him if he goes. He feels terrible about what happened to Owyn; he was too busy with the Game of Houses to help in time.

All he had to do was leave Rand in Aes Sedai hands. Just like he had left Owyn. She had him like a snake in a cleft stick, damned however he writhed. "Burn the woman!"'

Min is being trained by Laras, Mistress of the Kitchens, to act like a Lady and Min's job is to `observe'. Gawyn and Galad approach. Gawyn is in on her secret identity but Galad is not. The latter thinks he recognizes her but Elmindreda denies ever meeting him before. She no longer looks like Min. Galad has a book written by Lotham Montelar, founder of the Whitecloaks. "Take all joy from rightness, and rightness only". Min is in awe of Galad's beauty when she sees Logain walking down the hall with an Accepted. She sees a flaring halo speaking of power and glory to come even though, at the moment, he looks ready to die.

When Galad has left them, Gawyn asks many questions about Elayne and Egwene but Min denies knowing anything. He also mentions rumour of a False Dragon in Tear. Closer to home, Galad has been drinking in the inns with Whitecloaks. Eamon Valda himself gave Galad the book he was showing them earlier.

Min goes off to tell the Amyrlin about Logain. Siuan gets very mad at Min's visit, but she learns of Logain's future and doesn't think much of it because there are many other things to worry about--starvation in Cairhien, sisters missing in Tarabon, Trolloc raids increasing in the borderlands, the prophet in Ghealdan, war in Arad Domon has stopped trade to Saldaea, and the Blight has retreated two miles from Saldaea all the way to Shienar.

Min wants to leave but Siuan won't let her. At that point a Novice brings two messages to Siuan that have been sent by carrier pigeon--Taim has escaped killing two sisters. In response, the Amyrlin orders 12 sisters and one thousand guards to seek him out and gentle him on the spot.

The second letter says that Rand has taken Callandor and that the Stone has fallen. Siuan orders the hall of the Tower to convene in one hour in order to command the Tower's support of the Dragon Reborn.

Sahra Covenry, the Novice who took Elmindreda to the Amyrlin upon her arrival to the Tower, is working on a farm. An Aes Sedai tortures her drawing information out of her about that day. When the Aes Sedai leaves, Sahra and Mistress Elward are dead.

Chapter 18 -- Into the Ways

Perrin is ready to leave the Stone and meets up with Gaul who has had supplies taken to the stables. The halls are empty because Rand has summoned everyone to The Heart of the Stone. Faile, Loial, Bain and Chiad are in the stables where Perrin learns that a blood feud exists between Gaul and Chiad's clans. Faile begs Perrin to ask to come along with them but he is too stubborn to do so. All of a sudden an incredibly loud gong erupts from the Stone shaking not only the buildings, but the earth on which they stand -- Perrin can feel Rand pulling him.

On his horse, Perrin doesn't stop until he is well out of the city. A few minutes later the three Aiel catch up. Loial proceeds to lead the group east, to a Waygate. He becomes visibly upset in the middle of a field that he says used to be an Ogier Grove -- trees are what his people really love, not the masonry for which they are known. Perrin and Gaul are first through the gate and start to their first bridge.

Chapter 19 -- The Wavedancer

Nynaeve and Elayne are driven down to the docks in a nameless carriage supplied by an unknown house. Once aboard the raker, the two women have a good look at the Atha'an Miere crew; they have many tattoos, earrings, bracelets and some women have earrings in there noses. The Sailmistress and Windfinder, Coine and Jorin are sisters. Both of them occasionally take a sniff from boxes around their necks.

A young girl names Dorele offers them some tea -- she is topless. She is punished by Coine for ignoring the customs of those who live on land. Nynaeve and Elayne offer the Sailmistress the letter-of-rights that Moiraine gave to them along with 3000 gold pieces. Coine says that only Aes Sedai are allowed to be denied passage and almost always are and thus never ask. While talking she goes off on a tangent that Elayne recognizes as the Prophecies of the Dragon. To the Sea Folk they are the Jendai Prophecy; their people were meant to sail until the Coramoor came signifying a new age. Desperate for passage, Elayne tells them of the Black Ajah. Jorin feels compelled to help them.

A big gray haired man, Coine's husband comes in wanting to wait in Tear for a few more hours to some more trading. (He has a scar on his face from the Seanchan.) Coine says no and tells him that they will be going to Tanchico, not Mayene. He is quite mad but accepts the Sailmistress' wishes. Coine says that Elayne and Nynaeve must conceal their identity and their reason for going to Tanchico.

The Wavedancer crashes into the docks...

Chapter 20 -- Winds Rising

Elayne knows that it was Rand who rocked the Sea Folk's ship. Nynaeve thinks that Elayne's second letter must have gotten him very upset.

Standing on the deck are Thom and Juilin. Coine says that Juilin has helped them twice before, but he will be refused passage, along with Thom, if the Aes Sedai' so desire. Elayne hadn't seen Thom before Tear but she finds him awfully familiar. Juilin was roused by Rand half an hour ago and sent to accompany Elayne and Nynaeve with a large amount of gold as an incentive. In addition, Rand told Juilin that he would be best off drowning himself if the women did not return safely. Thom tells the women that Moiraine sent him and said he could be useful. Spontaneously, Elayne tugs his moustaches and experiences dיjא vu.

The ship heads out to sea with the Tairen pilot as required by law. He is dropped off as they enter the Fingers of the Dragon. Elayne has a conversation with Thom who is depressed, complaining that life is too complicated. She finds him awfully familiar and thinks that he is talking to her like he is her father.

Elayne sense the Power -- it is Jorin channeling an intricate flow much larger than Elayne has ever seen. She figures out that that is why no Aes Sedai are allowed on board. Elayne promises the women to keep her secret and they continue to teach one another. Wavedancer will arrive in Tarabon within seven to ten days with Jorin channeling the wind for them.

Chapter 21 -- Into the Heart

Moiraine and Egwene are in the Heart of the Stone waiting for Rand to appear in front of all the nobles. Moiraine notes to herself that Egwene is much less malleable than she should be, but still naive. She also recognizes that Lady Alteima is more of a threat to Rand than either of Carleon or Tedosian and maybe the most dangerous in Tear. The two of them see Mat there and wonder where Perrin and Faile are.

Rand arrives with one hundred Aiel to make his announcement. He pleases Moiraine insofar as he sends many of the more dangerous nobles into Cairhien to deliver barges of grain in order to feed the hungry. He tells everyone that he is going away for a time and accents this by thrusting Callandor into the floorstones. In the corridor he tells Moiraine and Egwene that he is going to Rhuidean and that he had left the Sword behind as reminder of himself to the Tairens.

Into the Heart he thrusts his sword
Into the Heart, to hold their hearts
who draws it shall follow after,
What hand can grasp that fearful blade?

"You must trust me Moiraine, as I have so often had to trust you."

"I will trust you for now. Just do not wait to seek any guidance until it is too late." I'll not let you go to the Shadow. I have worked too long to allow that, whatever it takes.'

Chapter 22 -- Out of the Stone

Rand is leading the Aiel, Lan, Moraine and the others out of the Stone and through the streets of Tear. He doesn't think he is recognized by the commoners. Prior to departure, the Aiel gathered many things from the Stone, taking them with them as allowed by their rule of the fifth'.

Rand has both letters from Elayne. They appear as they were written by two different people based on their content. He can't figure out why Egwene said he should have asked Elayne to stay if he knew she wanted to leave and wouldn't have been able to stop her.

Rand intends to take all of them to Rhuidean by means of a Portal Stone -- there are four in Tear. He is unsure if it will work. Rhuarc and Rand talk about the blood feuds between certain clans like the Taardad and the Shaido.

The Aiel find the Portal Stone. Aviendha is mad at Rand for mistreating Elayne. Rhuarc shows Rand the symbols for Rhuidean and Mat chooses between the two by flipping a coin. Rand gathers everyone as close as possible and uses an angreal to help him channel.

Chapter 23 -- Beyond the Stone

They are on the slopes of a mountain above what must be Rhuidean. Moiraine heals Rand, who has expended a great deal of energy in order to make the journey: "Ask first. I am not your lapdog that you can do whatever you want to, whenever you want.

There are two large camps at the bottom of the mountain and a camp of Wise Ones above them. Amys has white hair but has a young looking face. The Wise Ones insist on the peace of Rhuidean to prevent any violence between the two other camps. The Aiel who have just come from Tear rejoin their respective clans. Heirn and Couladin act as representatives for each of the camps. Couladin wants to enter Rhuidean but is refused by the Wise Ones. Rand asks the same question and is allowed which upsets Couladin. Rand reveals that his mother was Aiel, but is corrected by the Wise Ones -- it was his father.

Mat asks to go too and is allowed in spite of the Old Ways because of the changes to come'. The Wise Ones know Lan as Aan'allein. Rand and Mat set off for Rhuidean.

The Wise Ones knew that Rand and the others would be there that day. Egwene and Moiraine realize that Amys and Melaine can channel -- they are surprised. Aviendha can channel too and the Wise Ones want her to give up the spear and enter Rhuidean. She is made to go naked and must enter a ter'angreal similar to those in the White Tower where Novices become Accepted.

Amys, Bair, Seanna and Melaine take Egwene and Moiraine to their tent and get to know each other drinking water and wine. The concepts of gai'shain and ji'e'toh and explained to the Wetlanders. It is also revealed that Rand would have died if he hadn't have come to the Waste. Melaine slips saying that something will happened to Moiraine if she doesn't go through the rings. In their foretelling dreams, they saw Moraine asking to go, but now she has been told she must go; the future has been changed. Moiraine undresses and sets out.

The Jenn Aiel are the clan that is not a clan -- "The only true dedicated." Egwene is eager to learn about the Dream World. The Power isn't necessary to enter the Dream World; Seanna and Bair cannot channel.

Chapter 24 -- Rhuidean

Rand and Mat are now just outside of Rhuidean and are thirsty and sunburned. Mat sees Aviendha run into Rhuidean but Rand doesn't believe him. They walk through the thick fog surrounding the city and find a city of grand buildings which look like they haven't been finished yet. There is an ocean of water under Rhuidean which Rand channels through a fountain for them to drink. In the center of the city is a huge plaza, a palace, many ter'angreal and the Avendesora tree. Rand goes into the palace alone.

When Rand has gone, Mat finds a doorway ter'angreal like the one he went through in Tear. The man inside is very tall , has white skin and sharp teeth. It is a different place than the other ter'angreal. Mat asks about the Daughter of Nine Moons and why he has to marry her, why he will die and live again and how he will steal half the light of the world. There is only silence after his questions. Eventually they all reply "Done". "What was asked will be given." "The price must be payed." Mat is choked into unconsciousness.

Chapter 25 -- The Road to the Spear

Walking into the columns of the palace, Rand sees Muradin walking towards him between visions of the Aiel's past. Each vision goes further back in time. As the visions digress, Rand sees Muradin in increasing agony which climaxes with the Aiel clawing his own eyes out:

Rand becomes Mandein, a clan chief at a time when Rhuidean was being built. In a meeting with the other clan chiefs, two Aes Sedai, and a Jenn Aiel named Dermon, the Prophecies of the He Who Comes With The Dawn are declared. In a controversial decision, Mandein gives up his weapons upon the insistence of the Jenn and accompanies him to Rhuidean.

Rand is Rhudric, a young Aiel in a time where there are villages in what is now called the Waste. The Aiel have somehow disappointed the four Aes Sedai who travel with the Jenn. Rhudric's father's name is Jeordam.

Jeordam is an eighteen year old man. There is snow everywhere. The Jenn say that Jeordam has given up the Way because of the weapons he carries. There are many more Jenn than Aiel. A small group of Jenn, few men and a women, ask Jeordam and his father, Lewin, for help in rescuing their families from their kidnappers. When Lewin says that the Jenn must pick up a spear and fight for what they believe in, only one of the group walks away in disgust -- this is a surprise to Jeordam. The others, including the woman, abandon the Jenn and their Way to fight for their families.

Lewin is a young man who, with the help of his friends, rescues his sister and some others from four men who kidnapped them. When all is done, all four of the men are dead. Upon there successful return to camp, Lewin and his friends are banished from the wagons by their parents for having given up the Way. "I am Aiel."

Chapter 26 -- The Dedicated

Lewin is a child. After an attack, a group of Aiel leave the wagons to find a place of safety. Adan, Lewin's father, is upset by these Aiel who are abandoning the responsibility that the Aes Sedai had given them. Adan swears to continue no matter what happens. The Aes Sedai belongings are ter'angreal, sa'angreal, and angreal.

Jonai's son, Adan, is a young man. It has not been long since the Breaking for the land is still moving. and there is chaos everywhere. The Aiel are lost and the Ogier with them are experiencing a longing for their stedding. Jonai urges Adan to lead their people south because every other way is wrecked with havoc.

The World is shaking. Jonai is sixty-three and in the prime of his life. Coumin, his father, has abandoned the Way. Aes Sedai have given Jonai many of their angreal, sa'angreal and ter'angreal to keep in their wagons in order to keep them away from men who can channel. He is instructed to keep his people moving all the time until the Aes Sedai come to reclaim their possessions. Jonai sets out with thousands of wagons at his back.

Coumin is a young man at a time where Lews Therin is a hero. He has sealed the Forsaken in Shayol Ghul. Coumin has recently become old enough to participate in the songs in the fields. A soldier listening to the song wears a helmet described almost identical to that of the Seanchan.

Back in the village Coumin is hit in the mouth by an adult who believes Coumin serves Lanfear. Charn, his father's greatfather, has been hung, most likely for the same reason.

Charn is a young man. Mierin, and some other Aes Sedai have found a way to allow both men and women to draw from the same source. When the sources are joined the sky goes black and the entire village is screaming -- a hole has been drilled into the Dark One's prison.

Rand finds Mat hung from a tree outside the columns but is able to resuscitate him. Mat tells him how he went through the ter'angreal. Leaving Rhuidean, the two of them are attacked by figures formed from the dust in the street. Rand believes them to be more bubbles of the pattern. Outside the city it is dawn.

Chapter 27 -- Within the Ways

Perrin and Gaul have followed Faile, Loial, Bain and Chiad all the way to the Manetheren gate. They are attacked by Trollocs just as they reach the Gate. Machin Shin saves them as it engulfs the Trollocs, killing them. Loial locks the Waygate to anyone from the inside by placing both leaves on the outside.

Perrin sees a large flock of ravens attack a hawk after another one is shot down by an arrow. Perrin finds this strange as they are in the Mountains of Mist, a place where people are rarely found. Only adding to his worries, Perrin is unable to sense any Wolves in the area.

Chapter 28 -- The Tower of Ghenji

It is night so Perrin and the others make camp not far from the Waygate. Faile makes Perrin and Gaul make their own camp. Perrin asks Gaul why no Aiel has ever said anything to him about his eyes. Gaul replies that with so many things changing, the colour of mans eyes is not important.

Perrin goes asleep and enters the Wolf Dream. In a dream window he sees Rand laughing madly with many small dragons flying around him. In other windows, Nynaeve and Elayne are hunting something dangerous, Mat is choosing a path at a fork in the road, and Egwene and a white haired women look right at him seeming surprised to see him while the White Tower crumbles behind them.

In this dream Perrin is able to cover many miles with one step. Hopper is not anywhere to be found. Atop a distant hill Perrin spots another human figure who is able to leap like himself. This man has just killed a wolf and Perrin chases him all the way to a silver tower which appears to be sealed from the outside. Somehow the other man was able to get inside. Hopper appears warning Perrin to stop, claiming that the man he is chasing is very dangerous. His name is Slayer.

A woman, (presumably Birgitte) appears to Perrin although Hopper cannot see her. the woman claims that the tower, The Tower of Ghenji, is a gateway to the realms of Aelfinn and Eelfinn. She quotes a childhood game as the secret to winning against Aelfinn and Eelfinn; "Courage to strengthen, fire to blind, music to daze, iron to bind." She says that they are not part of the Shadow, but are evil nonetheless.

Hopper tells Perrin that there are no more wolves in the area because of Slayer.

Chapter 29 -- Homecoming

The al'Thor farm has been burned weeks prior to Perrin's arrival. They camp there for the night. Perrin and Gaul leave for Emond's Field early in the morning, before Faile wakes.

In the village, Perrin finds the al'Veres in the common room of their inn. They have had three letters from Egwene and know about her training to become Aes Sedai. They know that the Whitecloaks are hunting for Perrin and the urge him to leave right away. At that point Faile barges in with Bain and Chiad.

Perrin learns that all of his family and relatives have been murdered by Trollocs. The al'Thor and Cauthon farms were burned by Whitecloaks. Tam and Abell are hiding in the Westwood because the Whitecloaks believe them to be Darkfriends. The al'Veres claim that whatever the Whitecloaks have done, they are protecting their village from Trollocs. Padan Fain, now called Ordeith, is in charge of the Children of the Light. Bornhald has been in town asking about Perrin. The Cauthons and the Luhhans are being held prisoner by the Whitecloaks in Watch Hill.

A man named Lord Luc has been trying to rally people to defend themselves but nobody will leave their families. Perrin breakdown and sobs in Faile's arms for a long time.

Chapter 30 -- Beyond the Oak

Perrin has decided not to give himself up and is going to find Tam and Abell , free those in Watch Hill and kill every last Trolloc and Fade in the Two Rivers. Loial is now at the inn and has all but caused Mistress al'Vere to faint from shock.

Marin leads Perrin and the rest to the old sickhouse in the Westwood. Cenn Buie sees them leaving but Marin threatens him and forces him to be tight-lipped. Out in the Westwood Marin leads them to two Warders. The Aes Sedai presence is known only to the Women's Circle. The Warders are Tomas and Ihvon.

Chapter 31 -- Assurances

Verin and Alanna are the Aes Sedai. They have been searching for girls with the talent because of the ever decreasing numbers in the Tower. Sheriam has credited the shortage to the fact that men who can channel are gentled before they can pass on their blood lines.

Tam and Abell arrive with rabbits for dinner. In the past they have both been healed by the Aes Sedai. Rand takes them outside to talk. they tell of a man who has been killing most of the wildlife in the area. Perrin recognizes the man as Slayer. While talking, they shoot down a raven that was watching them from above. Perrin plans to free those being held by the Whitecloaks.

Dain Bornhald is in the Whitecloak camp at Watch Hill. There is a camp of Tuatha'an below and are being ordered south. He knows there are Aes Sedai in the area because of the warder they killed.

Ordeith has been murdering Children in scouting missions down near Emond's Field. Dain had to cover up what Ordeith did to the Aybara farm, making it look like a Trolloc attack. Ordeith killed two Gray Men who had appeared in the middle of the camp. He claims the Shadow is hunting him and that Dain must continue to help him if he wants to get his revenge on Perrin Aybara.

Back in his tent, Ordeith is holding a Myrddraal prisoner whom he has threatened into doing some unknown task. The Fade began to sweat.'

Chapter 32 -- Questions to be Asked

All but Alanna, Ihvon and Loial leave for Watch Hill. Faile says her father raises sheep, contradicting the fact that she told Perrin he was a merchant. During the ride north, Perrin learns that Trollocs have only attacked farms -- none of the villages have been touched. He thinks there must be a reason.

By midday they arrive at the al'Seen farm where there are two large families living. After a meal, a young boy comes in to announce Lord Luc's arrival.

Chapter 33 -- A New Weave in the Pattern

Perrin doesn't like Luc at all. In front of everyone, he dismisses Luc's advice and tells them that they should head to a village to ensure safety in numbers. At first they all disagree but quickly change their minds and begin to prepare for the journey to Emond's Field. Verin tells Perrin that he was able to change their minds because he is a ta'veren. Perrin and Faile make up and apologize for how foolish they have been. There are two instances where Perrin thinks Faile handles herself like a noble.

Four young men leave for Watch Hill with Perrin and the others. Perrin stops at farms on the way sending more and more people to Emond's Field and gathering more young men to follow him.

Perrin realizes that he has taken charge -- Tam and Abell have only offered suggestions leaving Perrin to make the decisions -- and Verin merely watches him and takes notes.

They arrive in Watch Hill and Abell and Tam point out the prisoners tent. At night, Perrin, Faile and the Aiel sneak into the camp. Faile saves Perrin from being strangled by a very large Whitecloak. Once the prisoners are free, the camp has been alerted forcing Perrin and the others to make their getaway on stolen horses. Back at the brush, Perrin sends Tam, Abell, Faile, Bain, Chiad and some of the boys with the prisoners to Tam's hiding spot. The rest of them lead a decoy for the Whitecloaks down the North Road. Verin will be making it rain very shortly.

Chapter 34 -- He Who Comes With The Dawn

Rand and Mat reach the Aiel camps with newly risen sun at their backs. Couladin and other Shaido try to spear the two of them before Bair stops them and makes Rand show the signs. All the Aiel are afraid when he shows them the markings on his forearms. It has been seven days since he and Mat entered Rhuidean -- Moiraine and Aviendha have not yet returned.

Once taken to some shade, Rand asks Rhuarc about what he saw in Rhuidean. He does this in front of Mat, Egwene, Lan and the other Wise Ones which is forbidden. Rhuarc reveals that each person sees the history of the Aiel through the eyes of his own ancestors. Lan is very worried about Nynaeve.

Rand wants to meet all of the clan chiefs at Alcair Dal, a place Rhuarc suggests, in order to proclaim himself.

Amys tells Rand about his mother, Shaiel. She was a wetlander that Amys and some other Maidens of the Spear found in the Waste. They followed her for days until she was almost dead. She was told that she would have to go to the Waste to find the Maidens of the Spear and that the fate of the world depended on it. Her name means Woman who is dedicated'. Rand has a half brother who is four years older than him. Shaiel died on the slopes of Dragonmount when Rand was born.

Janduin was Rand's father, a clan chief who resolved the blood feud between the Taardad and the Nakai. He lead the Aiel across the Spine of the World against Laman. He resigned as chief when his wife, Shaiel, died. He headed north to fight Trollocs in the Blight. He was killed by a man he would not fight because he looked like Shaiel.

Aviendha and Moiraine come out of Rhuidean. Rand intends to break the rules in a way that no one will expect.

Chapter 35 -- Sharp Lessons

Egwene meets Elayne in the Dream World, and they report to each other what has been happening. Elayne tells Egwene about the letters but the latter is gone before she can respond.

Amys has pulled her out of Tel'aran'rhiod because she had promised not to enter it alone. The Wise One makes her wear her hair in braids like a little girl. She agrees to keep teaching Egwene if she is able to keep her word. She also agrees to accompany Egwene on her visits to see Elayne and Nynaeve.

Amys takes Egwene to a sauna tent where the other Wise Ones, Moiraine and Aviendha are waiting. They are discussing what to do about Rand. They assign Aviendha to be with him at all times. At first she refuses but agrees when Egwene asks her to do it for Elayne. Rand is currently being guarded by the Jindo.

Chapter 36 -- Misdirections

Rand and the Jindo have set out with the Wise Ones, marching between them and the Shaido. Aviendha is beside Rand at all times and is persistent that Elayne is for him. Mat wants to be out of the Waste and away from the Aiel and Rand.

A large group of wagons approach. At the head is a man named Hadnan Kadere who says that he is looking for Cold Rocks Hold -- he is heading the wrong way. Rhuarc tells him he will guide him there. There is a woman with Kadere who appears to be in charge. Her name is Keille Shaogi. There is also a gleeman in the woman's wagon. Rand gets the feeling that Kadere is evil and tells him as much.

"We ride with evil now Mat, watch yourself."
"You have to watch the eyes."
"Wish that I had your luck Mat. It has begun, and there is no turning back now, however the blade falls"

Chapter 37 -- Imre Stand

A scout party reports that Imre Stand has been raided -- there are only a few goats, and inside there is blood all over the walls. Hadnan takes a pretty young woman in to see the walls. Her name is Isendre and she has a very false, arrogant way about her.

Rand practices the sword with Lan for a while, until Rhuarc comes to practice the spear.

Mat can fully understand the Old Tongue. His memory is being filled up with battles and other things that seem to belong to other men.

Jasin Natael, the gleeman, approaches Mat and asks him about Rand. Mat tells him the story except for a few details. The woman, Keille, angrily takes Natael away form Mat. Around the dinner fire, Natael sings of a battle long ago -- Mat remembers it differently.

The camp is attacked by Trollocs. Mats foxhead medallion keeps him alive. The Shaido camp was also attacked but to a much lesser degree. In the Wise One's camp, Moiraine was the reason they were not slain by fifty Trollocs. She says the attack was aimed at him (Rand)

Egwene fiercely tells Rand to stop whatever he is doing to upset Aviendha.

Chapter 38 -- Hidden Faces

Selindrin owns the Garden of the Silver Breezes. Egeanin is in Tanchico disguised as a Taraboner with a mask on. Floran Gelb brings her an a'dam; his third one. He has been hunting for two women on Egeanin's command and has made many errors. Bayle Domon is there as well, and so is Jaichim Carridin who wants to know who holds power in the area.

Two of Carridin's family have died in the past months, but it has been two months since the last report. He is meeting with a group of masked men. Among them is King Andric. Carridin is to see that Lady Amathera is risen to Panarch. He thinks this will put him in control.

The number of Dragonsworn in the area is huge -- there are two groups large enough to be called armies.

Back in his study, Liandrin is waiting for the Questioner and calls him by the name `Bors'. He tries to kill her but she holds him with the Power and tortures him while she tells him what to do if he wants to live to see Rand die -- he is to take control of the Panarch's Palace. Jaichim is her dog and he is incredibly frightened by her. On her way out Liandrin kills the guard that let her in with knife since she can neither heal, nor kill, with the Power.

Liandrin and the other Black Ajah are living in a Darkfriend merchant's building at the base of the Verane. She meets with some of the other Black Ajah and tells them how interesting it was to find that Carridin thought she was there to kill him for not yet killing Rand (which contradicts her own plans). She suspects dissension among the Forsaken. They have a ter'angreal capable of balefire though they have yet to use it successfully.

Inside the Panarch's palace is a device that will allow control over someone who can channel. They want to use it on Rand.

Egeanin enters her house and someone is there waiting for her. She draws her crossbow ready to kill. The man reveals himself as a Seeker, and shows his plaque and tattoos to prove it. He was smuggled in on Domon's ship. Egeanin is supposed to be searching for sul'dam deserters left behind at Falme. He makes her draw a map of all the cities she knows on this side of the ocean.

When the Seeker is gone, Egeanin opens the locked door to the basement and goes down to see Bethamin, a former sul'dam who now wears the collar which means she can channel. This thought greatly disturbs Egeanin. Bethamin is an old acquaintance and should have been sent back long ago, but Egeanin is searching for other sul'dam deserters to see if they can all channel.

Chapter 39 -- A cup of Wine

The Wavedancer arrives in Tanchico. Thom and Juilin just recently found out the reason they are in Tarabon. Nynaeve and Elayne have become quite close with Coine and her sister and are sad to be leaving. Walking up the dock, Bayle Domon comes hollering after them. He apologizes to them for leaving them behind at Falme. He has done very well in the smuggling business since then. Domon gets the women a room at the Three Plum Court where the innkeeper, Rendra, looks a lot like Liandrin. He reveals that he gives two-thirds of his smuggling income to the poor. In a private dining room, Nynaeve and Elayne get him to order his men to keep an eye out for the Black Ajah. Juilin asks him all about thieves, where Thom asks about Nobles and Royalty. Juilin and Bayle don't like each other too much since they are Tairen and a Illianer respectively.

Thom goes down to the common room to perform; Elayne goes to watch. A young man keeps filling her cup with wine and when Thom is done she is quite drunk. She goes up to Thom's room and tells him how she remembers pulling his moustache and Morgase sitting on his knee. She knows he was Morgase's lover and he tells her how he was a court bard.

Back in her own room Nynaeve dunks her head in cold water, Nynaeve goes into Tel'aran'rhiod to find Egwene for the first time since she has disappeared.

In the Waste, Nynaeve sees a man walking around Rhuidean. Birgitte appears just above Nynaeve telling her to leave and points a silver arrow at her as an incentive.

In Emond's Field Nynaeve sees someone behind the Winespring inn. He looks like Lan and fires an arrow at her.

The next morning, Elayne is hungover. Juilin comes in with black eye and tells what he has learned.

Chapter 40 -- Hunter of Trollocs

It has been six days since the rescue and Verin's rains have left the area soaked. Perrin is at his family's farm and has set up camp. Faile and Lord Luc approach. She tells him that everyone is in Emond's Field, even people he never talked to. The call him Perrin Goldeneyes, Hunter of Trollocs. Perrin does not trust Lord Luc at all. In the past few days, Perrin and his men killed a group of thirty-two Trollocs, and one of forty-one Trollocs and a Fade. Lord Luc suggests that they head back to Emond's Field when Gaul comes to tell them that that thirty Trollocs are in the Waterwood. Perrin take his men to ambush the Trollocs. After waiting for an hour, the Trollocs attack from behind. Ihvon appears after Perrin has been struck and is about to be slain by a Fade; Alanna sent him.

Twenty-seven men are dead. Ihvon leads them out of the forest. Late in the afternoon they can hear singing not far off.

Chapter 41 -- Among the Tuatha'an

The singing is a Tuatha'an camp -- Raen is the Seeker. Perrin is healed by Ila and Faile. When Ila leaves Faile tells Perrin who her father really is and why she left home -- He is a powerful Saldaean Lord and she is cousin to the Queen. Perrin tells her about his talents with regards to the wolves.

Chapter 42 -- A Missing Leaf

In the Wolf Dream, Perrin comes across Slayer. He also sees the Waygate that Loial locked, now open with someone coming through it in the real world.

When he wakes, he tries to get to the Gate but Faile doesn't let him. Ihvon is told about the Trollocs but doesn't do anything about it. Perrin and the others leave for Emond's Field. When they arrive they find that the forest has been cut back, catapults have been made and a wolf banner flies on the green. The streets are packed and Verin has made her identity of Aes Sedai know to everyone. People can be heard whispering "Perrin Goldeneyes". Verin sends Perrin to Alanna in order to be healed.

Chapter 43 -- Care for the Living

Perrin is tormented as he rides through the village -- all he can hear is the voices of mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters asking for their kin, the ones who were killed in battle. The common room to the Winespring Inn has been made into an armory. Ewin Finngar has grown into a man. Him and two others ask Perrin many questions about his adventures.

Loial has been helping the villagers to clear trees and is quite upset about the whole process. Perrin tells Loial about the Trollocs coming through the Waygate. The Ogier says that it is his fault because he didn't have the heart to destroy it by taking both Avendesora leaves. Perrin claims responsibility and then quickly becomes incoherent and starts to burn up. Alanna arrives just then and they rush to get the arrow out of him before it is too late -- Perrin blacks out.

Chapter 44 -- The Breaking Storm

Perrin wakes up feeling weak. Faile urges him to rest but he is insistent on going after Gaul and Loial who have gone to the Waygate. Eventually, Faile lets him go outside and to mount Stepper.

The entire village is out there -- a single Trolloc has attacked. Bain and Chiad report that more than five hundred more are only two miles away. Tam gets everyone prepared. When the Trollocs attack they are quickly taken down by arrows and exploding rocks flung by the catapults.

The town is ecstatic about their victory and grateful for Perrin leading them, (although he didn't do a thing and admits as much). He thinks that this was just a test and Tomas agrees with him and adds that the rest of the Trollocs won't attack for a while. Trolloc clamour can be heard from the south, near the Old Road.

Chapter 45 -- The Tinkers Sword

The Coplins are at the edge of the south side of the village and claim that they just fought off a group of Trollocs, however it is only Tinkers. Ila and Raen are hurt and there are only about twenty of their group left. The Congars protest but Perrin talks them into accepting the Tinkers into the village.

While Faile is occupied with the Tuatha'an, Perrin tries to sneak of to the Waygate but people keep approaching him with questions that they could answer themselves but insist on his advice.

Perrin goes to the inn to eat. Aram is being fed by the Cauthon girls. Faile feeds Perrin in the same manner. Aram wanders around the room, three times, looking at all the weapons and finally asks if he can have a sword. Just then Ila comes down the stairs with Alanna. The Tinker woman screams at her grandson and tries to wrestle the sword away from him. Aram breaks into tears exclaiming that he could have saved his mother. Ila curses Perrin and runs away in tears. Perrin says that any man has a right to defend himself and sends Aram to Tam for lessons with the sword.

A report of approaching Whitecloaks arrives. Dain Bornhald claims that Perrin is a Darkfriend and wants to arrest him. Byar is there too, but Emond's Field won't let them take their leader. In an effort to avoid a fight, Perrin asks Bornhald to hold off on his arrest until after the threat off Trollocs passes. He lets the Children into the city, although Bran, Faile and the others don't think it is a good idea.

Chapter 46 -- Veils

Egeanin is in Tanchico in the Great Circle where the poor and homeless now live. She doesn't like looking at the poverty. She is there because she is following Floran Gelb who is currently hunting for a woman. When Gelb and his men locate the woman, Egeanin rushes after them to reach her before they do.

The woman they try to capture is Nynaeve, who is accompanied by Elayne. They fight the men off as best they can and are helped by Egeanin. During the fight the Seanchan woman see Elayne channel.

Having successfully escaped Gelb and his thugs, Nynaeve and Elayne invite Egeanin back to their inn for tea. Egeanin repeatedly says that the two of them (Aes Sedai) are not what she expected. She leaves for now.

The innkeeper announces that someone is there to visit the two of them. The woman puts a spell on them -- she is Forsaken. She asks them questions about the Black Ajah and when she is done, makes them forget she was there.

Outside Egeanin is in disbelief that the Power can be learned.

A man disguised in Tairen garb watches her.

Chapter 47 -- The Truth of a Viewing

Siuan is frustrated by the fact that she hasn't received any news from Moiraine in quite some time. She reflects on other reports she has received recently: Masema, the prophet is drawing larger and larger crowds, there is still no news of Mazrim Taim...when Elaida and a group of other Aes Sedai burst in to the room. They are removing Siuan from the Amyrlin Seat saying that she is a danger to the Tower. Elaida is after information about Rand that she believes Siuan is keeping to herself.

Min returns to Tar Valon to find fighting everywhere. Gawyn tells her about Siuan and urges her to leave. He quickly runs off to a fight without telling if he is with or against Siuan. Min hides on the grounds.

Siuan and Leane are naked and beaten in the dungeon. Siuan has been questioned, tortured and stilled. She learns that Leane has, too. Laras and Min rescue the two women. Laras leaves them once they are free to return to her kitchens. Elaida, Alviarin, now Amyrlin and Keeper, pass the three women in the hallway, but they are not recognized.

Min tells the other two what has been happening: Elaida had most of the Blue Ajah killed, Warders have been fighting each other and Siuan and Leane have been charged with helping Taim escape. Min leads them to three horses so they can leave the city -- Gawyn is waiting there for them. He wants to know where Egwene and his sister are. Gawyn and his Younglings' stopped the Blue and Green Warders from preventing the stillings. Gawyn killed both Hammar and Coulin Gaidin. Min convinces him that they are not Darkfriends and he lets them leave the city, writing them a note that will help them if they run into any resistance from the guard.

On their way out they find Logain wandering the empty streets. Siuan offers him revenge if he follow her and he accepts. Min still sees the halo speaking of glory around his head. She reflects on the alternating image she saw around Gawyn -- one moment she sees him before Egwene and the next he is breaking her back. The foursome head for the river.

Chapter 48 -- An Offer Refused

Rand, Mat, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan and the Aiel have been traveling the Waste for eleven days now. Aviendha has been trying to teach Rand about Aiel custom. Kadere has been repeatedly talking to Rand about the value of information and wants to sell some to him. Natael has been asking Rand how he feels because he is going to write an epic about the Dragon Reborn. Mat hasn't talked much to Rand, but has taken a liking to Isendre. He refuses Keille's offer of Isendre for a Tar Valon mark. Mat thinks she is a very evil women. On the twelfth day the party arrives at Cold Rocks Hold.

Chapter 49 -- Cold Rocks Hold

Lian, Rhuarc's other wife, is the roofmistress of Cold Rocks Hold. Rhuarc and Heirn both ask for leave to enter and are accepted. Couladin asks and is accepted as a beggar -- he has no right to ask the question as he did because he is not a clan chief. Rand asks and is allowed in.

The place is like a village with houses all around. Each of them has a garden on its roof. Lian has them under her roof for a meal throughout which Aviendha is very difficult with Rand. He wants to go to Alcair Dal, now, but Rhuarc urges him to wait a month until all clan chiefs have arrived so not as to dishonour them. Moiraine asks Rand where he will "lead the spears to war once more". Rand excuses himself without answering.

Chapter 50 -- Traps

Rand locates the Jindo Maidens and asks them for a gift he can give to Aviendha to thank her for her teachings'. He is made to go through a ceremony with each of the seventy Maiden present. They both say `Remember honour', they kiss him on the cheek and he has a sip of wine.

Aviendha accepts the bracelet and tells him the Maidens think he is interested in her. She apologizes for dinner. Presently, Amys has put her to cleaning rugs.

Rand tells the Wise Ones that he knows Aviendha is their spy. Melaine says they only want him to know their blood for his', and that she will lay...' something in order to do it. The other Wise Ones are visibly angered at her for almost revealing something important. Rand can't figure out what she was going to say and goes to sleep.

In his dream he is in the Waterwood with Min, Elayne and Aviendha. Lanfear appears naked and puts her arms around him saying that he will not be allowed to betray her, not even in his dreams. A man, who appears only as a blur says to Lanfear that she is risking too much. To this man she mentions Moghedien and how she hauled him out of his hole'.

He wakes sensing someone else in his room -- it is only Aviendha. The Wise Ones have been spying on him in his dreams. However, tonight it is too dangerous so they are guarding outside his door. Rand senses evil and leaves his room to find it. In the hall a Draghkar has kissed the gai'shain. He kills it and kills the one that is just coming in the door. Outside, Seanna lies lifeless and Trollocs and Draghkar are attacking. After fighting, Mat tries to talk to Isendre but she slams the door in his face.

Both Moiraine and Rhuarc tell Rand that the attack was most certainly aimed at him. He asks Moiraine to say that she is not using him but her reply is not good enough for him.

The Shaido have left, undoubtedly to sway other Aiel against Rand. Rand tells Rhuarc that they have to leave soon; he can't let Couladin turn others against him. They prepare to leave in the morning. The Maidens will be Rand's guard.

Chapter 51 -- Revelations in Tanchico

Since Amathera has risen to Panarch there have been constant riots. Nynaeve and Elayne have been dining frequently with Egeanin during the past week. As they are talking in their private dining room, Bayle Domon comes in saying, "I have found them..." when he sees Egeanin. The two of them wrestle each other for several moments before Elayne holds them with Air. Domon says that she is Seanchan which takes Nynaeve and Elayne by surprise. Nynaeve is quite angry where Elayne is just in a state of disbelief. Egeanin says that she was just trying to learn about Aes Sedai because she knows the a'dam can hold damane.

Domon explains that one of his men saw two of the Black Ajah in the Panarch's Palace. Juilin comes info about the Black Ajah as well. Only moments later Thom arrives with the same. Both Thom and Juilin are dumbfounded when they learn Egeanin's identity. For two hours they all discuss how to get into the Palace. They have three takes on the situation -- Amathera is a Darkfriend, she believes the Black Ajah are Aes Sedai, or that she is a prisoner.

The three men are out all day following bogus leads about the Panarch. At Night, Nynaeve has the three of them guard the door. They bound Egeanin against Elayne's will and Nynaeve enters the Dream World to visit with Egwene.

Chapter 52 -- Need

Nynaeve is in the Heart of the Stone. Shortly thereafter, Bair, Amys and Egwene appear. They tease her about not being able to control her clothing. The three women appear very hazy because they are currently half asleep on horseback. Egwene tells Nynaeve about Rand and Nynaeve tells her about the Black Ajah, but not about Egeanin. Nynaeve wants to find out if Amathera is a Darkfriend and the Wise Ones scold her for wanting to learn too much, too fast. However, when Nynaeve mentions that the Black Ajah endanger Rand, Amys tells her she can search blindly if her need is deep enough. They plan to meet again in one week.

Nynaeve finds her way to the Palace and into the Panarch's bedchamber. Temaile is torturing the naked woman. Nynaeve escapes before the Black Ajah sees her.

Nynaeve finds herself in a room with many artifacts. There is a blurry woman looking at something and who is controlling Nynaeve's movement. She sees Birgitte and the other woman disappears. Birgitte says the other woman was Moghedien, and the man Nynaeve saw in the Waste was Asmodean. Nynaeve wants Birgitte to help her but here is not much she can do because of the precepts. Gadal Cain appears telling Birgitte not to interfere. Nynaeve learns that Moghedien is very dangerous and that she is much stronger in Tel'aran'rhiod than Lanfear.

Nynaeve sees Moghedien looking at a cuendillar disk and also at what the Black Ajah want to control Rand -- a collar attached to two bracelets.

Upon waking, she tells Elayne and Egeanin. They hear and noise outside, in the hall. A man tried to steal Thom's purse. Egeanin says he is Seanchan and that he should be killed. Nynaeve orders them to throw him into an alley. Bayle Domon seems to be taking a liking to Egeanin. The women begin discussing their plans to get into the Palace.

Chapter 53 -- The Price of a Departure

There have been many Trolloc attacks since the first one, seven days ago. Emond's Field is running out of food and supplies of just about everything. The people are becoming worn down and ragged. The Whitecloaks are still there and Perrin is guarded at all times by the Companions' because of their presence.

Perrin is called to see a dying man who was found running towards the town from the South, "Perrin Goldeneyes. We - are - coming", and he dies.

Loial returns carrying Gaul whose leg is injured. Bain and Chiad help him and laughingly tease him about honour and gai'shain, but Perrin doesn't understand any of it. Loial and Gaul have locked the Gate but say that there are already thousands of Trollocs in the Two Rivers. Lord Luc says there are less than a thousand.

Perrin enters the Wolf Dream and searches for signs of Trollocs because of the conflicting reports. He finds cookpots and camps around Emond's Field that indicate thousands of them. Around the other Two Rivers villages he finds only a few camps.

Slayer almost gets him with an arrow but Perrin waits him out and hits him with one of his own. Slayer fades away in pain.

Awake, Perrin is told that Lord Luc has ridden away clutching his chest. Perrin can't believe that the man could be Slayer.

Perrin asks Faile to go to Caemlyn to bring help from Morgase. She says that she will, but only if he marries her...tonight. A half hour later they are man and wife.

Chapter 54 -- Into the Palace

It is daybreak and Nynaeve, Elayne and Egeanin are in a carriage guarded by twenty of Bayle Domon's men. Domon is supposed to be delivering more ice peppers as a gift to the Panarch. Thom, Juilin and Domon have spread rumours that the Panarch is dead in the hope of starting a riot and making what they are about to do easier. The women sneak into the Palace posing as servants. They walk right by Marillin Gemalphin, although she doesn't sense them. Nynaeve splits from the other two.

Elayne and Egeanin find the Panarch's room where Temaile is torturing Amathera and they rescue her. Elayne doesn't want to leave Temaile behind, but they do.

Nynaeve is in the great exhibition hall to get the collar and the seal she saw in the Dream World. Walking around she finds many of the things there strange and mysterious. She sees the skeleton of a giraffe although she has never seen an animal like that before. When she touches the collar she feels great pain and suffering.

Moghedien approaches dressed as a servant. They do battle and Nynaeve is amazed as she realizes that the Forsaken is using all of her power and Nynaeve is withstanding it. She is able to shield the other woman but was, in fact, trying to still her, and ties her with Air. Moghedien comments on how the Age of Legends was so much more than is believed and hints at interstellar travel. Nynaeve grabs the collar and the cuendillar disk, which is disguised as a hippo figurine, (another foreign creature to Nynaeve)

Jeaine Caide, one of the Black Ajah, is outside the room and nearly gets Nynaeve with a balefire ter'angreal. The entire room, and most of the building is destroyed in the process. Nynaeve escapes Jeaine, and Moghedien is gone.

Chapter 55 -- Into the Deep

Nynaeve runs through the chaotic castle to meet up with Elayne, Egeanin and Amathera. Elayne has had a talk with the Panarch that has her doing whatever she says. Egeanin wanted to go looking for Nynaeve because she was taking so long. Nynaeve is touched by this revelation and begins to like the Seanchan woman again.

Bayle Domon's men, and Thom and Juilin get them out of the castle and through the riot. At the inn, Elayne gives Amathera to Rendra to earn her food and shelter. The Panarch has no idea what life is like for commoners. In the dining room Elayne tries to melt the collar and bracelets but her efforts have no effect. Nynaeve gives it to Domon to throw into the deepest part of the ocean, off of the Aile Somera. Nynaeve looks forward to going back to Tear to see Lan, after they go back to Tar Valon.

Chapter 56 -- Goldeneyes

The Aiel report thousands of Trollocs coming from both the North and the South. Perrin is finishing off a four page letter to Faile asking for forgiveness for sending her away; he doesn't except to live through the battle.

The men are prepared to fight and the women are gathered around the children and the Tinkers in the middle of the Green. The Whitecloaks want to leave Emond's Field which would mean Perrin's people would be easy victims for the Trollocs. Dain Bornhald still thinks Perrin is a Darkfriend and wants him dead. Perrin taunts him into staying and says he will go with them when the battle is done if the stay and help.

Perrin walks around the village encouraging the leader at each side of the village. Gaul and Chiad seem to have overcome their clans' blood feud. Verin asks Perrin if he knows what his marriage to Zarine Bashere means and when he will pick up the hammer again.

The Trollocs attack yelling `Isam' and the sheer number of them forces the villagers back. The women can be seen helping out. Jaim Aybara, Perrin's little cousin, comes to tell him that people are attacking Trollocs from the other side. Faile has brought men from Watch Hill and Deven Ride has come on it's own. The Trollocs are quickly crushed and Perrin rides out to see Faile. They are both very happy.

Bornhald comes to claim Perrin, but he refuses to go since they didn't help at all during the battle, forcing them women to. The Whitecloak swears to see Perrin hanged one day. The people from Watch Hill escort them out of the village.

Perrin and Faile ride off to the Winespring inn to be alone.

Ordeith watches from a mile north and is upset at Isam for ceasing to bring Trollocs through the Waygate. There are thirty ex-Whitecloaks and one Fade with the filthy little man. He sees the Red Eagle flag and remembers how Manetheren plagued him centuries earlier. He knows of another way to burn the Two Rivers. He is off to Caemlyn and then to Tar Valon.

Chapter 57 -- A Breaking in the Threefold Land

Rand and thousands of Aiel arrive at Alcair Dal. Couladin is already there along with thousands of others. Couladin arrived at dawn. Moiraine is not allowed to go down with the clan chiefs because she is female. Both her and Egwene stress to Rand that he doesn't fight alone; they, and many others who don't know it, fight for him too. When Mat asks to go he drops a coin that lands on its edge and rolls down to the peddlers wagons.

Rand, Rhuarc, Mat and the guards enter the bowl where the chiefs are meeting. Seanna, the roofmistress, is arguing to have Couladin speak. Rand and Rhuarc step up to speak and Couladin angrily throws himself up announcing himself as He Who Comes With the Dawn. He shows the dragon tattoos on his arms. Rand calmly rolls up his sleeves and shows his. To convince the chiefs, he speaks of Rhuidean and tells the thousands of Aiel listening that they once followed the Way of the Leaf. Many of the Aiel scream in disbelief. Rhuarc warns Rand that many of the Aiel won't be able to handle this new knowledge -- only one of three survive the revelation in Rhuidean. "He will take you back, and he will destroy you.

Couladin tries to attack Rand and starts a riot. Rand makes it pour rain. A bubble forms around him and Lanfear appears. Rand tells her he knew of Asmodean since the Stone. She tells him that Asmodean has been distracted and now thinks there is something for him in Rhuidean.

Lanfear wants Asmodean to teach Rand because none of the other male Forsaken would. She also says that Couladin and the Draghkar were only distractions so that Asmodean could make his way to Rhuidean. Rand makes a gateway to the Aiel city leaving Lanfear behind.

Chapter 58 -- Traps of Rhuidean

Rand finds himself running up stairs in Darkness. He catches up to Asmodean and is surprised to see the gleeman's face instead of Kadere's. The Forsaken sends repeated blasts of fire slowing Rand down and disappears through a doorway.

Rand follows, and pursuits Asmodean through Rhuidean. He manages to reach Asmodean just as Asmodean grabs a ter'angreal - a link to the giant sa'angreal in Cairhien. Rand grabs it too, and they battle using the One Power, wrecking large parts of the city. Even though he is exhausted, Rand manages to use his small angreal to first visualise the black steel wires around Asmodean and then slash them - cutting Asmodean's connection to the DO.

Lanfear appears, and notes that the fight have not only wrecked the city but destroyed the shield around it too. She tries again to tempt Rand, this time with the power of the giant sa'angreals and that it should be possible to displace the DO with them, but Rand chocks her by telling her what he did to Asmodean - and that Asmodean will have no choice but teaching him now. Lanfear wonders how much of Lews Therin there is in Rand, and puts a special sort of shield on Asmodean, which allows him to channel but not very much.

Asmodean pleads to Lanfear - who he calls Mierin - for mercy, which enrages her and Rand has to channel to stop her from killing Asmodean. Lanfear then leaves after telling Rand that she hid as Keille and that he is soft-hearted.

Rand searches for and finds the ter'angreal linking to the giant sa'angreal on Tremalking - the female one. With it he and Asmodean, who now are to act as the Dragon's gleeman, Skims back to Alcair Dal. They are greeted by the Clan Chiefs, the Wise Ones, Moiraine and Egwene. The Shaido have left behind Sevanna and Couladin, together with members of the other clans.

Rand leaves Alcair Dal, saying that the road begun will be long and bloody. Rhuarc answers: It began long ago. The question is where and how it ends."

Summary by Craig Cassar: <[email protected]>
HTML-ised by Karl-Johan Norén: <[email protected]>