Chapter 5

In a guarded meeting, Moiraine and Amyrlin Seat Siuan Sanche debate the peril of their secret designs, the threat of stilling, and Tower politics. They examine the Horn of Valere and a shattered cuendillar seal, concluding the Dark One’s prison is weakening. Siuan, who can see ta’veren, admits Rand blazed like the sun; Moiraine confirms Rand al’Thor can channel and must be the Dragon Reborn.

Accepting that careful plans cannot bind a ta’veren, they devise a new course: quietly heal Mat’s Shadar Logoth dagger link with a small circle, then send Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara to Illian carrying the Horn, drawing Rand along by offering distance from Aes Sedai yet keeping him with friends. Moiraine intends to ensure Rand presents the Horn, securing instant followers. They part to reconvene in the morning.

Far to the southwest, Lord Captain Geofram Bornhald leads a secret Whitecloak legion through Tarabon, only to be seized by the authority of the Questioners under Einor Saren. Bornhald learns of “strangers” massed on Toman Head—rumored monsters with Aes Sedai—and realizes his men are being used for opaque aims, yet he obeys and moves to the pacified village.

Back in Fal Dara, Liandrin of the Red Ajah confronts Lady Amalisa, theatrically invoking the Shadow and using a subtle, forbidden pressure to break Amalisa’s resistance. Claiming the Black Ajah is present, Liandrin orders Amalisa to secretly search the keep, locate the three Two Rivers youths, and spirit them to Tar Valon without a word to any but Liandrin’s chosen.

As Liandrin departs, she senses unseen eyes in the empty corridor. In the dungeons, Padan Fain, smiling in the dark, greets an unexpected visitor and whispers that the battle is never over, hinting his long-awaited rescue is at hand.