Contents
Chapter 57
Overview
Rand leads a mass of Taardad to Alcair Dal, where Couladin and Sevanna move to seize the Car’a’carn title. Couladin displays Dragons, but Rand counters, shows his own, and reveals the Aiel’s true pacifist origins, shocking all. The clan chiefs acknowledge Rand. As chaos erupts, Rand summons rain to halt bloodshed. Lanfear appears, exposes Asmodean’s bid in Rhuidean, and Rand opens a doorway to pursue.
Summary
Rand advances toward the mountain pass to Alcair Dal with a swelling host of Taardad Aiel and a Maiden honor guard, Aviendha at his side. In the basin below, fairs and clan camps await; the Shaido, led by Sevanna and Couladin, violate custom by taking the approach first. Rhuarc calls the Taardad to form vast veiled lines that nonviolently compel the Shaido to yield the gap, their battle song echoing across the Waste.
Inside the canyon bowl, clan and sept chiefs gather beneath the overhang while Sevanna presses to let Couladin speak. Couladin leaps onto the ledge, bares arms marked with Dragons, and proclaims himself Car’a’carn, promising conquest beyond the Dragonwall. Rand calmly steps up, shows his own Dragons, and cites prophecy: born of Aiel blood, raised across the Dragonwall. The chiefs waver as Sevanna steers the moment toward Couladin.
Rand challenges Couladin to describe Rhuidean; when Couladin refuses detail, Rand reveals he walked the glass columns and saw the Aiel’s origins as Da’shain who followed the Way of the Leaf. The truth ripples into uproar and denial among the gathered Aiel, but the clan chiefs understand and, one by one, declare Rand He Who Comes With the Dawn.
Couladin hurls a spear; Adelin blocks it and chaos erupts. Shaido veils rise and spears flash as sept chiefs and Maidens close around Rand. To avert slaughter, Rand seizes saidin and summons a howling storm that breaks into a torrential, unheard-of rain over Alcair Dal, dousing tempers and sight alike.
Within a dry dome, Lanfear appears, furious that her manipulation has been upset. She reveals Asmodean has slipped away toward Rhuidean to seize a power there meant to train Rand, and that Couladin and earlier distractions were part of the scheme. Remembering a lost weave, Rand folds reality, opening a dark doorway and steps through to pursue Asmodean, leaving Lanfear behind.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorLeads Taardad to Alcair Dal; reveals Aiel pacifist origins; is acknowledged Car’a’carn; stops violence with rain; pursues Asmodean via doorway.
- CouladinShaido claimant; displays Dragons; incites conquest; exposed when Rand details Rhuidean; attacks and sparks chaos.
- RhuarcTaardad clan chief; orchestrates mass Taardad presence; supports Rand; laments the cost of revealing Aiel history.
- SevannaShaido roofmistress backing Couladin; maneuvers to let him speak; panics as chiefs accept Rand.
- Mat CauthonAccompanies Rand to the ledge; wary of chaos; readies spear amid the melee; witnesses Rand’s recognition.
- AdelinMaiden leading Rand’s honor guard; blocks Couladin’s thrown spear; shields Rand during the uproar.
- BaelGoshien clan chief; initially skeptical; ultimately declares Rand He Who Comes With the Dawn.
- HanTomanelle clan chief; defends custom; denounces Sevanna’s claims; recognizes Rand as Car’a’carn.
- ErimChareen clan chief; rebukes Couladin; joins in acknowledging Rand.
- JheranShaarad clan chief; shifts from dispute talk to recognizing Rand’s claim.
- LanfearAppears within Rand’s rain dome; reveals Asmodean’s plan in Rhuidean; spurs Rand to pursue.
- AviendhaAccompanies Rand; tense with Maidens; observes proceedings and Rand’s peril.
- Moiraine DamodredBarred from Alcair Dal; warns Rand of wider stakes and offers Lan’s protection.
- Lan MandragoranAssesses Shaido threat; remains to guard Moiraine; ready to assist.
- Egwene al'VereWarns Rand he is not alone in the fight; watches from the ridge with Wise Ones.