Contents
Chapter 7
Overview
After a taxing partial Healing, the Aes Sedai conclude Mat will die without recovering his dagger, and decide only Mat can safely retrieve it. Verin presents a Dark Prophecy naming Toman Head and unsettling figures, then infers one of the Two Rivers boys channels—the Dragon Reborn. Perrin finds Leane evasive about Mat, and Lan prepares Rand to meet the Amyrlin, signaling a pivotal confrontation.
Summary
As dawn comes, Moiraine, the Amyrlin, and Verin finish a grueling, partial Healing on Mat, lacking the stolen Shadar Logoth dagger. They judge Mat has only months unless the dagger is recovered, and conclude Mat himself, buffered against its taint, is the safest to handle it if found.
They debate Padan Fain’s importance and the audacity of his rescue. Verin reads a Dark Prophecy taken from the dungeon walls, foretelling “Daughter of the Night,” the fall of “Shining Walls,” the names Luc and Isam, and pointing to Toman Head and Almoth Plain. The Aes Sedai weigh whether these are taunts or true prophecies, discussing Artur Hawkwing’s distant armies and symbols that cluster around Almoth.
Tension spikes when Verin calmly infers that one of Moiraine’s Two Rivers youths can channel, likely the Dragon Reborn, and that the Amyrlin is allowing it. Moiraine and the Amyrlin seize the Source in shock, then relent as Verin offers to observe for knowledge and confirms only Serafelle also knows. Moiraine demands a full accounting of Verin’s findings.
Elsewhere, Perrin slips into the infirmary, finds Mat deeply asleep yet smelling “wrong,” and suspects Leane lies when she claims Mat will be fine in hours. Leane probes Perrin’s golden eyes with the Power, unnerving him. Perrin withdraws, troubled by Aes Sedai attention.
Perrin confronts Rand about his distance; Rand apologizes but insists he must leave alone without explaining why. After Perrin storms out, Lan arrives with a summons from the Amyrlin. He outfits Rand in silk and a fine coat, pins the Red Eagle of Manetheren to his arm, and drills him in formalities, urging Rand to face what comes on his feet. Rand follows Lan to meet the Amyrlin.
Who Appears
- Moiraine DamodredLeads the partial Healing of Mat; insists the dagger must be found; manages Verin’s revelations and protects the secret of the Dragon Reborn.
- The Amyrlin Seat (Siuan Sanche)Oversees Mat’s Healing, weighs the Dark Prophecy, is shaken by Verin’s deductions, and summons Rand for an audience.
- Verin MathwinBrown Ajah scholar who records and reads the Dark Prophecy; deduces one boy channels and presses to observe him for knowledge.
- Perrin AybaraVisits Mat, senses something wrong, distrusts Leane’s reassurances, argues with Rand, and worries about his golden eyes drawing Aes Sedai notice.
- Rand al’ThorAnxious to flee but stays; clashes with Perrin; is summoned by the Amyrlin and coached by Lan for a formal, high-stakes audience.
- Leane SharifControls access to Mat, evasively claims quick recovery, probes Perrin with the Power, and unnerves him about his eyes.
- Lan MandragoranSummons Rand, outfits him with symbols and protocol, and urges him to face the Amyrlin with pride and control.
- Mat CauthonLies in deep sleep after partial Healing; doomed without his dagger; briefly mutters about going to see Fain.