Contents
Chapter 55
Overview
Ambushed by Shaido, Elaida’s embassy tries to move Rand, but Perrin’s host closes and the Asha’man arrive. Rand breaks the shield, frees Min, and disables sisters from cover. Taim’s forces massacre the Shaido, Rand halts the slaughter, and captures the Tower sisters. Bera, Kiruna, and seven others kneel and swear to Rand.
In the aftermath, rumors spread. Elsewhere, Falion pursues Elayne and Nynaeve, the gholam murders Herid Fel, Moghedien is freed by Aran’gar, and Demandred receives the Great Lord’s favor.
Summary
Gawyn leads Elaida’s column toward Tar Valon when a mortally wounded scout reports thousands of Aiel closing in. Galina grudgingly orders caution as the Shaido encircle the wagons holding Rand in a chest. Inside, Rand endures torment, obsessively probing the six-woman shield.
Perrin surveys the besieged camp with Rhuarc, Kiruna, Sorilea, and Dobraine. With little time, they commit: Two Rivers archers and Mayeners advance with Aes Sedai and Wise Ones while Aiel and Cairhienin charge. Wolves answer Perrin’s call as the assault slams into the Shaido. Amid brutal melee, black-coated Asha’man open gateways into the battle.
At last, Rand senses two women leave the shield and forces through the remaining knots, tearing it and seizing saidin. He blows apart the chest, stills one sister and incapacitates two, frees Min, then stalks the wagon ring toppling and shielding Aes Sedai one by one. Gawyn confronts them but withdraws with the Younglings. Taim asserts control over an Asha’man who attacked Gawyn and raises a dome of Air over the camp, corralling prisoners and protecting the wounded.
Perrin, Loial, and allies reach Rand. Outside, Rhuarc, siswai’aman, Maidens, Mayeners, Cairhienin, and Two Rivers folk remain amidst the Shaido. Rand orders Taim to break the enemy. The Asha’man unleash catastrophic weaves, exploding ranks of Shaido and driving them into panic; Rand halts the slaughter. With the field secured, captured Tower sisters are held and shielded. Rand confronts the Salidar nine who came against his terms; at Taim’s prodding and Rand’s command, they kneel and swear fealty to the Dragon Reborn.
Aftermath ripples outward in rumor. In Ebou Dar, Falion renews her hunt for Elayne and Nynaeve. In Cairhien, the gholam murders Herid Fel. A Seanchan scout eyes Ebou Dar for conquest. In Salidar’s camp, Aran’gar (as Halima) removes Moghedien’s a’dam and orders her to Shayol Ghul; Egwene senses the removal too late. In the Pit of Doom, Demandred basks in the Great Lord’s approval as prophecy marks the Tower bending to the Dragon.
Who Appears
- Rand al’ThorBreaks the shield, frees himself and Min, disables multiple Aes Sedai, commands Taim, halts the massacre, captures Tower sisters.
- Perrin AybaraLeads rescue with Aiel, Mayeners, Cairhienin, and Two Rivers archers; summons wolves; reaches Rand amidst brutal fighting.
- Mazrim TaimArrives with Asha’man, erects a defensive dome, unleashes devastating weaves to rout the Shaido, defers to Rand’s order to stop.
- Min FarshawBound captive near Rand; freed by him; stays by his side during the battle and aftermath.
- Gawyn TrakandLeads Younglings; confronts Rand and Min; withdraws, vowing enmity, and cuts a path to escape.
- RhuarcLeads Aiel assault into the Shaido; survives wounded as the Shaido break.
- LoialFights alongside Perrin with a massive axe; reaches Rand inside the dome.
- AramFormer Tinker turned swordsman; carves through Shaido beside Perrin.
- Dobraine TaborwinLeads Cairhienin lancers under Rand’s banner; fights on foot within the wagons’ ring.
- Kiruna NachimanSalidar Aes Sedai leader; joins the rescue but later kneels and swears to Rand.
- Bera HarkinSalidar Aes Sedai; presents intent to aid Rand, then kneels and swears fealty.
- Alanna MosvaniPresent with the Salidar nine; bonded to Rand; watches tensely as events unfold.
- Galina CasbanBlack Ajah leader of the escort; absent at capture, previously directed Rand’s abuse and column’s movements.
- NanderaMaiden leader; witnesses Asha’man carnage; helps secure the camp.
- SulinMaiden returned to cadin’sor; stands with Rand’s party amid the aftermath.
- Falion BhodaBlack Ajah in Ebou Dar; renews pursuit of Elayne and Nynaeve after another near-miss.
- Herid FelCairhienin scholar advising Rand; murdered gruesomely by a gholam.
- MoghedienCollared prisoner in Salidar camp; freed by Aran’gar and summoned to Shayol Ghul.
- Aran’gar (Halima)Forsaken in female guise; channels saidin, removes Moghedien’s a’dam, orders her escape.
- Egwene al’VereAmyrlin in Salidar camp; discovers Moghedien’s disappearance too late, suspects a male channeller’s aid.
- DemandredKneels in the Pit of Doom, elated by the Great Lord’s favor after events align with prophecy.