Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Perrin’s group crosses Kinslayer’s Dagger as wolves report a mysterious “Shadowkiller” now leading the Trollocs with Fain. An Aiel, Urien, confronts them, revealing lore of Rhuidean, the Jenn Aiel, and a prophesied leader, “He Who Comes With the Dawn,” marked by the ancient Aes Sedai symbol.
Verin presses for answers and grows urgent, while Ingtar hastens the company into Cairhien without armor, raising stakes around prophecies that may point to Rand.
Summary
Climbing through Kinslayer’s Dagger, Perrin senses watchers in the rocks and relays the wolves’ news to Ingtar: something they call “Shadowkiller” slew Trollocs, now leads them, and Fain remains with the host. Verin continues to monitor Mat’s decline, seemingly preoccupied with unstated concerns.
Uno spots an Aiel moving openly in the rocks. When Masema charges, Ingtar halts him, and the Aiel, Urien of the Reyn Red Shields, introduces himself, poised but nonhostile. Ingtar seeks news of Trollocs; Urien denies seeing any, yet speaks of signs that would bring Aiel out of the Waste, which they call the Threefold Land.
Verin questions Urien intensely. He mistakes her for a Wise One, mentions Rhuidean and the Jenn Aiel, and says only women seeking to be Wise Ones or men seeking to be clan chiefs may go there, with few returning. When pressed, Urien braces for death, citing an old prophecy about failing Aes Sedai, but Verin reassures him.
Urien reveals he searches for “He Who Comes With the Dawn,” a man of Aiel blood from west of the Spine who will be marked, go to Rhuidean, and lead the Aiel. He sketches the ancient Aes Sedai symbol as the sign of conquest. Verin erases it, offers no guidance, and Urien departs into the rocks.
Ingtar orders the company to hurry and remove armor as they enter Cairhien to avoid provoking locals. Mat quietly wonders if the prophecy concerns Rand; Perrin agrees nothing changes. Verin, troubled, muses whether the Wheel weaves unknown threads or the Dark One touches the Pattern, then urgently presses the group forward.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraPOV; relays wolves’ report of “Shadowkiller,” worries about Aes Sedai, and observes the Aiel encounter.
- Verin MathwinAes Sedai; probes Urien about Rhuidean and prophecies, erases the Aes Sedai symbol, urges haste into Cairhien.
- Ingtar ShinowaLeader; fixated on finding the Horn, restrains his men, orders armor removed as they enter Cairhien.
- UrienAiel Red Shield; seeks He Who Comes With the Dawn, speaks of Rhuidean, Jenn Aiel, and the prophetic sign.
- Mat CauthonWeakened and pale; wonders if Rand is Aiel, recognizes the ancient Aes Sedai symbol.
- Uno NomestaOne-eyed Shienaran; spots the Aiel first, gruffly skeptical but follows orders.
- MasemaImpulsive Shienaran; nearly charges Urien, restrained by Ingtar.
- The WolvesCommunicate with Perrin; report “Shadowkiller,” Trollocs’ movements, and Fain’s presence.