Contents
Chapter 19
Overview
Rand and Loial infiltrate Padan Fain’s camp at night, steal the Horn of Valere and Mat’s tainted dagger, and fight through Trollocs to escape. Back at camp, Rand resists the lure of saidin and chooses Cairhien over returning north. Selene presses for glory, while Fain, enraged, swears relentless pursuit.
Summary
Camped near Kinslayer’s Dagger, Rand debates leaving while Selene tempts him with promises of glory. Hurin spots a hidden fire below; Selene urges immediate action. Rand and Loial ride down by moonlight to confirm the camp, where they find Darkfriends and sleeping Trollocs guarding a golden chest and the ruby-hilted Shadar Logoth dagger atop it.
Moving silently, Rand and Loial crawl into the camp. Rand takes the dagger, then signals Loial to lift the chest. As they withdraw, Fain awakens and raises the alarm, naming Rand. Trollocs attack; Rand, within the void and resisting saidin’s siren pull, dances through forms and kills multiple Trollocs, buying Loial time to escape with the chest.
They rejoin Selene and Hurin on the mountainside. Selene opens the chest, and Rand briefly holds the Horn of Valere before declaring he will return it to Shienar; Selene calls this impossible and warns that Fain will hunt them. Rand places the Shadar Logoth dagger inside the chest with the Horn and locks it, hoping to shield its taint.
Accepting that returning north risks interception, Rand agrees to head for Cairhien. Meanwhile, below, a furious Fain bullies Trollocs and Darkfriends, using his uncanny pull toward Rand to drive a renewed pursuit, vowing that the world will pay.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorProtagonist; steals the Horn and Mat’s dagger, defeats Trollocs, resists saidin, and decides to go to Cairhien over returning to Shienar.
- SeleneMysterious woman urging Rand toward glory; opens the chest, presses for Cairhien, and opposes keeping the tainted dagger.
- LoialOgier companion; uses keen sight, carries the chest with the Horn, and runs it back to camp.
- HurinSniffer; spots the hidden fire, keeps watch, and frets over pursuit.
- Padan FainLeader of Darkfriends and Trollocs; alarms the camp, rages at the theft, and vows to hunt Rand.
- TrollocsMonstrous soldiers guarding the camp; several attack Rand and are slain during the escape.