Contents
Chapter 9
Overview
Amid oppressive heat, tensions in Tear rise: Mat broods, Perrin hunts rumors to drive Faile away, and Egwene and Nynaeve get no new truths from the Black Ajah prisoners while Aviendha bonds with Egwene. Elayne advises Rand as he asserts control over recalcitrant High Lords.
Selene reveals herself as Lanfear, tries to recruit Rand with promises of power and training, then a Gray Man strikes. Rand kills the assassin as Lanfear warns other Forsaken are moving, escalating the threat.
Summary
In sweltering Tear, the Stone and city grow lethargic while the outlanders press on. Mat, shunned by lordlings and servants after the deadly card incident, haunts dockside taverns yet always returns toward Rand. Perrin avoids Mat, prowling the waterfront for far-off rumors that might entice Faile to leave Tear and thus keep her safe, but every tale proves too dangerous or too vague.
Egwene and Nynaeve continue questioning Joiya and Amico without breaking their stories; Egwene even cross-checks confessions to no effect. With no word from the Tower about Mazrim Taim, Egwene frets over whether Tanchico is a trap. She finds unexpected friendship with Aviendha, whose blunt Aiel views clash humorously with wetlander customs, while Elayne spends stolen moments with Rand, advising him on governance and subtly coordinating with the Maidens for privacy.
As the deadline to send the Darkfriends north nears, Rand pushes plans forward. He cracks down on plotting High Lords, burning a doctored treaty and threatening Meilan and Sunamon with hanging unless they deliver his grain-for-ships terms to Berelain. He wrestles with prophecy and the heron-and-dragon marks, determined to act in a way the Forsaken won’t predict.
Selene appears in his chambers and reveals she is Lanfear. She blocks Rand from the Source, proclaims him Lews Therin reborn, and offers power, Asmodean’s training, and even the use of two legendary sa’angreal to rule under the Shadow—or challenge even higher powers. Rand rejects her, declaring he will fight the Dark One and the Forsaken.
A Gray Man slips in mid-parley. When Lanfear drops her shield, Rand seizes saidin and kills the assassin with Callandor. Lanfear denies using the Soulless and warns that others—Sammael, Rahvin, Moghedien—fear and will strike by stealth. As Rand, wary of the unseen fate of the Aiel guards, opens the door, chaos erupts outside.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorDragon Reborn; asserts control over High Lords, confronts Lanfear’s reveal, kills a Gray Man, and prepares decisive action.
- Lanfear (Selene)Reveals true identity, shields Rand, tempts him with power and training, warns of other Forsaken.
- Elayne TrakandAdvises Rand on governance, shares private moments, helps him manage High Lords’ schemes.
- Egwene al'VereInterrogates Black Ajah prisoners, worries over Tanchico and Tower silence, bonds with Aviendha.
- Nynaeve al'MearaPresses Joiya and Amico without results; spends scarce free time with Lan; frets over looming decisions.
- AviendhaAiel woman who befriends Egwene, offering cultural candor and blunt counsel about rivals.
- Matrim CauthonAvoided after the card attack; broods in dockside taverns yet remains drawn back to the Stone.
- Perrin AybaraScours taverns for rumors to send Faile away, determined to protect her by separation.
- High Lord MeilanPresents a twisted treaty; retreats under Rand’s threats after the vellum is burned.
- High Lord SunamonComplicit in adding soldiers to the Mayene treaty; cowed by Rand’s ultimatum.
- Joiya ByirBlack Ajah prisoner; coolly maintains her story, baiting Egwene and Nynaeve about Tanchico.
- Amico NagoyinBlack Ajah prisoner; fearful, pliant, and unchanging in her account under questioning.
- The Gray ManSoulless assassin who slips into Rand’s chambers; killed by Rand with Callandor.
- Berelain sur PaendragOff-stage; central to Rand’s grain-for-ships treaty and Torean’s unwanted attentions.
- Thom MerrilinLargely absent; his intelligence-gathering exposes secret High Lord meetings.