Contents
Chapter 1
Overview
Rand spars with Lan atop Fal Dara’s tower when a strange, solid wind shoves him into injury, underscoring unnatural forces at work. Lan reveals Rand’s heron-mark sword may be Aes Sedai-forged, tying Rand further to the Power. As the Amyrlin Seat arrives with many Aes Sedai, Rand panics and runs, fearing gentling and the loss of his future.
Summary
On Fal Dara’s tower, Rand trains with Lan, striving for emptiness as they test footwork and forms. Mid-bout, a sudden, solid wind traps and shoves Rand onto Lan’s practice blade, cutting him and leaving both men unsettled despite Lan’s outward calm.
Catching breath, Rand wrestles with his identity and the heron-mark sword gifted by Tam. Lan explains that, in the War of the Shadow, some blades were wrought with the One Power: unbreakable, ever-sharp. He suggests Rand’s heron-mark may be one of these rare Aes Sedai-forged weapons, deepening Rand’s unease about ties to Aes Sedai.
Lan presses why Rand still lingers in Fal Dara. Rand admits he delays for Mat and Perrin and because of Egwene, and he’s frustrated that Moiraine both warns him of a dire fate and withholds guidance, having recently vanished. Lan informs him Moiraine returned the previous night but has likely told him all she can, then resumes drilling, insisting on balance forms.
Trumpets and drums interrupt: a grand procession approaches. The Flame of Tar Valon banner reveals Aes Sedai, including women riders and a curtained palanquin. Lan identifies Ingtar among them and concludes the Amyrlin Seat has come in person, warning Rand he should have left earlier.
Convinced the Amyrlin’s arrival concerns him, Rand fears gentling yet also dreads being left without help. As the column enters Fal Dara, the wind chills him again with a grave-stench memory. He swears he wants nothing to do with the Power, then grabs his shirt and runs, panic overcoming him.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorProtagonist; injured by an unnatural wind during training, learns his heron-mark sword may be Aes Sedai-forged, and flees when the Amyrlin arrives.
- al'Lan Mandragoran (Lan)Warder; drills Rand, explains Aes Sedai-wrought blades, presses Rand about leaving, identifies the Amyrlin’s arrival, urges readiness.
- Moiraine DamodredAes Sedai; absent most of the chapter but reported returned. Source of Rand’s fears and unanswered questions.
- The Amyrlin SeatLeader of the Aes Sedai; arrives in procession to Fal Dara, triggering Rand’s fear of gentling and his flight.
- IngtarShienaran lord; seen returning with the Amyrlin’s procession after a long hunt.