Cover of The Shadow Rising (The Wheel of Time, #4)

The Wheel of Time, #4

The Shadow Rising

by Robert Jordan


Genre
Fantasy
Year
1992
Pages
960
Contents

Chapter 22

Overview

Rand departs the Stone of Tear with Aiel, keeping the move quiet while the Aiel claim the fifth. He reveals a plan to reach Rhuidean via Portal Stones, despite Moiraine’s warnings and Mat’s dread. Guided by old clues and Rhuarc’s knowledge, Rand selects a symbol and channels through a male angreal to transport everyone.

The chapter accelerates Rand’s campaign of swift moves, tests trust with Moiraine and his friends, and binds the Aiel to him through action.

Summary

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.

Who Appears

  • Rand al'Thor
    Leads a secret departure, locates a Portal Stone, and uses a male angreal to send all toward Rhuidean.
  • Moiraine Damodred
    Warns of Portal Stone risks and ta’veren consequences; observes and questions Rand’s choices.
  • Egwene al’Vere
    Questions Aiel fifth and Portal Stone plan; probes Rand about Elayne; anxious but follows.
  • Matrim Cauthon
    Dreads Portal Stones yet stays; flips a coin to choose the symbol; visibly nervous.
  • Rhuarc
    Taardad clan chief; organizes search; identifies Rhuidean symbols; explains Aiel oaths and tensions.
  • Lan Mandragoran
    Warder; supports Moiraine’s cautions; rides with the group and assesses terrain.
  • Aviendha
    Maiden of the Spear; finds the Stone; disapproves of Rand’s treatment of Elayne; keeps her own grievance.
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