Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
Verin leads Rand to use a Portal Stone to reach Toman Head, but a surge of the One Power forces the company through innumerable alternate lives. They arrive shaken and months too late, in late autumn. Verin warns Rand to curb his overreach, and they ride west to pursue Fain, the Horn, and Mat’s dagger.
Summary
Alar and the Ogier lead Rand’s party to a Portal Stone near Stedding Tsofu and take their leave. Ingtar hesitates, but Verin presses the urgency of reaching Toman Head. Verin admits she cannot power a Stone and insists Rand must, guiding him to the symbols despite his fear of channeling.
Rand selects a symbol and embraces saidin. As the Stone activates, reality flickers. Rand, and seemingly all present, experience lifetimes of alternate possibilities: dying on Winternight, marrying Egwene, serving in the Queen’s Guard, fighting invaders, or living and dying in myriad roles. Each life ends with the same ominous whisper.
The vision-storm breaks. Everyone is thrown to the ground, sick and traumatized. Verin identifies a surge of the One Power and warns Rand that such excess could destroy him. They discover they have reached Toman Head, but it is late autumn; months have been lost.
Verin steadies the shaken company, calming Ingtar and checking each man. Mat, terrified, swears he would never betray Rand; Perrin notes how little true choice they seem to have. Verin concludes that any trail will lie to the west where the towns are. Rand refuses Aes Sedai aid for himself, and the party mounts to ride west after Fain, the Horn, and Mat’s dagger.
Who Appears
- Rand al’ThorPressed by Verin to use the Portal Stone; endures countless alternate lives; delivers group to Toman Head but loses months.
- Verin MathwinGuides the attempt at the Portal Stone; analyzes the mishap; warns Rand; stabilizes the shaken party; directs them west.
- Ingtar ShinowaQuestions the risk but commits; emerges traumatized; vows to find the Horn; steadied by Verin.
- Matrim CauthonJokes nervously, then is shattered by the visions; fears he betrayed Rand in another life; insists on loyalty; worries about the dagger.
- Perrin AybaraRakes his face after the visions; reflects on fate and limited choices; readies to continue the hunt.
- LoialConcerned about leaving the stedding; stunned by the visions; rides on with the group.
- Uno NomestaVomits after the Portal Stone ordeal; recovers amid general shock.
- MasemaWeeps openly after the alternate-lives visions; remains with the company.
- HurinShaken and looking to flee after the experience; continues west with the party.
- AlarOgier Elder who shows the Portal Stone and bids them farewell before their departure.
- JuinOgier guide eager to be away from the Waygate; departs with Alar.