Chapter 11

Ingtar halts the march early after the horrific village discovery and establishes a defensible hollow. He orders strict precautions and scouts, revealing the company’s shaken state. Privately, he gives Rand a canvas-wrapped bundle from Moiraine, warning Rand his life may depend on it, and discloses that Lord Agelmar named Rand second-in-command should Ingtar fall.

Rand slips into the trees to open the bundle and finds the Dragon banner of Lews Therin. Mat and Perrin stumble upon him; Rand, angered by Aes Sedai manipulation, brandishes the banner and denies being a false Dragon. Pressed by Perrin, Rand admits he can channel, frightening Mat and unsettling Perrin. Mat resolves to keep his distance; Perrin advises burning the banner and running, yet acknowledges Rand may be unable to flee his fate.

Rand hides the banner in his saddlebags and returns to camp, choosing to stay to help recover Mat’s dagger. He beds down near Loial and Hurin; Loial notes their stone seat appears to be an ancient worked column with faint markings. The camp settles into a tense, fireless night as Rand wrestles with doubts about madness, the eerie village, and Moiraine’s designs.

Cut to Padan Fain: changed by Ba’alzamon and Shadar Logoth, he now dominates both Darkfriends and a Myrddraal-helpless band of Trollocs. He recalls nailing the Fade to a door. To feed his Trollocs and to taunt pursuers, he orders the slaughter of bound villagers and the display of their remains. He guards the ornate chest with the Horn—still unopened—and keeps the Shadar Logoth dagger close. Certain Rand will follow, Fain drives his force west, promising a final confrontation on Toman Head.