Contents
Chapter 34
Overview
Rand and Mat emerge from Rhuidean battered, face Couladin’s accusation, and are shielded by the Wise Ones. Rand reveals twin dragon tattoos, is proclaimed Car’a’carn, and learns hard prophecies about Aiel doom and survival. He plans to summon clan chiefs to Alcair Dal via dreams while uncovering his parentage. Aviendha and Moiraine return, and Rand resolves to break expected rules.
Summary
At dawn, Rand and a badly wounded Mat leave fog-shrouded Rhuidean, racing heat toward the Aiel camps. Couladin accuses them of murdering Muradin and hurls spears, but Bair enforces the Peace of Rhuidean. At Bair’s urging, Rand displays dragon tattoos on both forearms. The Wise Ones proclaim him Car’a’carn, while the Shaido and others withdraw warily.
Egwene reports seven days have passed; Moiraine and Aviendha are still inside Rhuidean. The Wise Ones cannot Heal as Aes Sedai; Rand and Mat accept herbs and salves in the Wise Ones’ tents. Rand presses Rhuarc about visions in the glass columns and learns each sees ancestral memories; the Aiel once shared water with Cairhien. Concerned about Couladin’s ambition, Rhuarc promises Jindo guards.
Seeking to move quickly, Rand asks the Wise Ones to summon clan and sept chiefs to Alcair Dal through dreams, despite their protest that it will take several nights. He confronts the grim prophecy that he is both the Aiel’s doom and salvation, and insists on urgency with the Forsaken at large.
Rand asks about his mother; the Wise Ones recount Shaiel, a wetlander who became a Maiden on Gitara Moroso’s Foretelling, and Janduin, the Taardad clan chief. Shaiel died near Tar Valon; Janduin later abandoned the chief’s cloak and was slain in the Blight by a man who looked like Shaiel.
As the day burns on, Aviendha returns first, furious after her own revelations, followed by a sunburned, unconscious Moiraine carried by Lan; the Wise Ones tend them. With the meeting at Alcair Dal set in motion and time regained, Rand resolves to “break the rules” to assert what being the Dragon Reborn means.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorEmerges from Rhuidean marked with twin dragon tattoos, proclaimed Car’a’carn; plans to summon clan chiefs and break the rules; learns of parents Shaiel and Janduin.
- Mat CauthonWounded but defiant; wields a strange spear; receives herbal tending; recalls Old Tongue term for Alcair Dal without noticing.
- BairWise One who stops Couladin, enforces Peace of Rhuidean, prompts Rand to show marks, and explains grim Aiel prophecy.
- AmysWise One guiding events; refuses Healing, agrees grudgingly to summon chiefs via dreams; recounts Shaiel’s story.
- MelaineWise One who chastises Lan and Rand; manages the tent; bars Lan from Moiraine; scolds Rand about Rhuidean dangers.
- SeanaWise One assisting with herbs; adds details on Rand’s resemblance and Janduin.
- RhuarcClan chief who supports Rand, warns of Couladin, explains visions and Alcair Dal; arranges Jindo protection.
- CouladinShaido who accuses Rand of murdering Muradin; breaks peace twice; retreats, seething with ambition.
- Egwene al'VereConfirms seven days lost; mediates explanations; observes Mat’s changes; remains with Wise Ones.
- Lan MandragoranWarder frustrated at being restrained; warns about Couladin; rescues sunburned Moiraine from the slope.
- Moiraine DamodredReturns from Rhuidean exhausted and sunburned; tended by Wise Ones; her absence delayed Rand.
- AviendhaReturns from Rhuidean enraged and sunburned; now clothed by Wise Ones; glares at Rand with fresh fury.