Contents
Chapter 48
Overview
Rand’s column crosses the Waste toward Cold Rocks Hold while Aviendha instructs him in Aiel customs and secretly trains in the One Power with the Wise Ones. Kadere hints at selling dangerous knowledge, Natael seeks a tragic epic, and Mat pursues Isendre. After hazards and tensions, they finally arrive at Cold Rocks Hold.
Summary
Marching across the Waste, Rand rides alongside Aviendha, who derides Isendre’s seeming softness and lectures Rand on Aiel customs, especially roofmistresses and marriage. Rand wrestles with his place among the Aiel while refusing to adopt their dress beyond a shoufa, insisting he is not Aiel despite his blood and the Dragons on his arms.
The journey is harsh: venomous creatures, lions, and poisonous plants claim a life when a driver is killed by a twostep. Moiraine warns Rand not to weave a noose for himself with secret plans, and Egwene stays with the Wise Ones, passing as Aes Sedai and undergoing their stern guidance. Each evening, Lan teaches swordwork and Rhuarc the spears and hand-and-foot fighting.
Kadere repeatedly approaches Rand to sell “knowledge” if granted broad protections, growing nervous when Rand refuses blanket absolution. Natael, the gleeman, presses Rand for feelings to craft a grand, tragic epic, fixating on prophecy and death; Rand deflects with, “I will do what I must.” Natael soon favors the larger Shaido audience at night, irritating the Jindo.
Aviendha spends time with the Wise Ones, and during travel a massive fireball erupts ahead, revealing they are teaching her to channel. Rand’s instinctive reach for saidin slips like water through a sieve, highlighting his urgent need to learn control without a teacher. Meanwhile, Mat avoids Rand, dicing with drivers, conversing with Kadere and Natael, and pursuing Isendre; Keille humiliates both Mat and Isendre with barbed offers and threats, exposing tensions in the peddlers’ camp.
Through days of heat, cold nights, and wary stares, the column presses on. As Aviendha’s instruction in Aiel ways continues—mixed with her anger over Rand and Elayne—Rhuarc returns from the van to announce they have reached their destination: Cold Rocks Hold.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorLeads the Aiel through the Waste; resists adopting Aiel identity; fends off Kadere’s offers; uneasy about control of saidin; trains with Lan and Rhuarc.
- AviendhaEscorts and lectures Rand on Aiel customs; resents his ties to Elayne; begins learning to channel under Wise Ones; conflicted yet engaged with him.
- Hadnan KaderePeddler who hints at selling dangerous knowledge in exchange for sweeping protections; watches Rand; tolerates Isendre’s flirtations.
- IsendreSeductive companion to Kadere; openly watches Rand; flirts with Mat; clashes with Keille over insults and control.
- Asmodean (Jasin Natael)Gleeman seeking to compose a tragic epic; presses Rand about destiny and death; shifts performances to the larger Shaido camp.
- Moiraine DamodredWarns Rand against reckless secrecy; keeps close to the Wise Ones; remains determined to steer his path.
- Egwene al'VereMoves with the Wise Ones, passing as Aes Sedai; argues and learns from them; visits Rand after his Healing.
- RhuarcTaardad clan chief; instructs Rand in spear and Aiel fighting; announces arrival at Cold Rocks Hold.
- Lan MandragoranTrains Rand in the sword; joins spear practice; steady presence beside Moiraine.
- Keille ShaogiOverbearing peddler who taunts Mat and Isendre, offering Isendre for a coin; issues veiled threats.
- AmysWise One guiding Aviendha’s training; rebukes interference from Moiraine and Egwene.
- BairWise One; previously clarified Aviendha’s status; joins overseeing Aviendha’s instruction.
- MelaineWise One often arguing strongly; helps direct Aviendha’s channeling lessons.
- SeanaWise One with Amys and Bair; involved in Aviendha’s training and managing Egwene.
- Matrim CauthonKeeps apart from Rand; dices with drivers; pursues Isendre; rebuffed and threatened by Keille; uneasy about Rhuidean.