Contents
Chapter 50
Overview
Rand missteps by gifting Aviendha, earning unexpected Maiden approval and tension. Lanfear invades his dream, hinting at another male conspirator. Draghkar and Trollocs attack Cold Rocks; Chion and Seana are killed before Rand and the Aiel repel them. With danger escalating and the Shaido moving north, Rand resolves to march everyone to Alcair Dal at dawn, placing Maidens as his guard.
Summary
In Cold Rocks Hold, Rand broods over Moiraine’s manipulation and seeks a peace with Aviendha by buying her an ivory bracelet. The Maidens perform a brief approval rite, which Aviendha interprets as them sanctioning Rand’s interest, angering and embarrassing her. Rand confronts the Wise Ones about using Aviendha to watch him; they deflect, stressing their goal to save the Aiel.
Exhausted, Rand sleeps and dreams of Emond’s Field before Lanfear intrudes, seducing and biting him, then speaking with a blurred male ally. He wakes with a bleeding bite, confirming the intrusion. Sensing another presence, he seizes saidin and nearly binds Aviendha, who had been set to guard his door while the Wise Ones avoided dream-watching due to unusual danger.
Feeling evil, Rand arms himself with a Power-wrought sword and discovers a Draghkar killing the gai’shain Chion. He slays it, then destroys another at the door and sounds the alarm as Trollocs attack the canyon mouth. Amid the chaos, Seana is found dead. Rand blasts a diving Draghkar from the sky while Aiel and Moiraine help break the Trollocs.
Mat fights reluctantly, recognizes the Trollocs as a diversion for the Draghkar, and fails to impress Isendre. Rand, still icy and resolute, rebuffs Moiraine’s push to confide, citing her Oaths. Rhuarc confirms the assault targeted Rand and warns Soulless may come next; the Maidens volunteer to be Rand’s constant guard.
Rhuarc reports the Shaido left north at dusk, likely to meet Sevanna and poison opinion against Rand. Refusing to yield time to Couladin, Rand orders a full march to Alcair Dal at first light, breaking custom by bringing every spear and bow. Mat, despite misgivings, agrees to go, and the peddlers are told to be ready.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorDetermined Car’a’carn; gifts Aviendha, survives Lanfear’s dream intrusion, kills Draghkar, rejects Moiraine’s control, orders full march to Alcair Dal.
- AviendhaAssigned to watch Rand; misreads gift as courting, embarrassed yet protective; witnesses Draghkar killings; agrees to ongoing Maiden guard.
- RhuarcTaardad clan chief; assesses attack as diversion, arranges guards, reports Shaido departure, supports dawn move to Alcair Dal.
- Moiraine DamodredWarns Rand about forcing prophecy; aids defense; urges trust but he refuses to confide.
- Mat CauthonFights Trollocs despite reluctance; identifies the diversion; decides to accompany Rand to Alcair Dal.
- LanfearInvades Rand’s dream, bites and marks him; speaks with an unseen male ally before vanishing.
- SeanaWise One; warns of danger earlier; later found dead, likely slain by a Draghkar.
- ChionGai’shain who leads Rand to his room; entranced and killed by a Draghkar.
- MelaineWise One; confrontational about saving the Aiel; pushes for Aviendha’s involvement.
- AmysWise One; manages Aviendha’s training and Rand’s lodging; keeps motives guarded.
- BairWise One; enforces Aviendha’s discipline; part of the decision to avoid dream-watching that night.
- CouladinShaido leader; departs north to influence Sevanna against Rand, prompting Rand’s haste.
- IsendreKadere’s companion; coldly rebuffs Mat after the attack.
- Hadnan KaderePeddler; absent during attack, his drivers drink as events unfold.
- KeillePeddler woman overseeing trade; unseen during the attack’s aftermath.