Chapter 22

Rand leads a quiet, unannounced departure from the Stone of Tear, riding east with Moiraine, Lan, Egwene, Mat, Rhuarc, and several hundred Aiel as onlookers gape. The Aiel carry the fifth from the Stone’s wealth, which Egwene questions before accepting. Rand savors brief anonymity amid decaying farms and evades Egwene’s probing about Elayne.

Pressed by Moiraine, Rand reveals his plan: use Portal Stones to reach Rhuidean quickly. Mat protests, recalling their harrowing earlier journey, and Moiraine warns of danger and power demands. Rand cites an old peddler’s tale, a stedding account, and a librarian’s maps placing a nearby Stone. They navigate to twin ridges and low hills; Rhuarc dispatches Aiel societies to search.

As they wait, Rhuarc explains oaths keeping fractious clans united beyond the Dragonwall and tensions with the Shaido. A Maiden’s call leads them to a half-buried Stone covered in eroded symbols. While Rand hunts the key marks, Aviendha coolly condemns his treatment of Elayne but withholds her own grievance. Rand locates orientation symbols.

Rhuarc reluctantly identifies two triangles associated with Rhuidean. Egwene urges caution; Mat, jittery, offers a coin toss to choose. Rand aligns with Mat’s result: the left-pointing triangle. He produces a small male angreal found in the Stone’s Holding and orders everyone and the pack mules close, intent on moving all at once.

Despite Moiraine’s concerns about ta’veren consequences, Rand embraces the Void, seizes saidin through the angreal, and fixes on the chosen symbol. Drawing deeply to carry the entire host, he channels until at the breaking point—and the world winks out.