Contents
Chapter 28
Overview
Rand, rattled by Lews Therin’s presence, returns to Caemlyn determined to stop running. Andoran nobles arrive, Sea Folk demand audience, and Sulin serves in livery to meet her toh. A Gray Man infiltrates Rand’s rooms but Taim kills him and reports a promising recruit. Rand contains the incident while Aviendha schools him on ji’e’toh. Elsewhere, Padan Fain rages at interference, inflicts cruelties, and renews his obsession with killing Rand himself.
Summary
Haunted by the certainty that Lews Therin is real within his mind, Rand spends a volatile day in Cairhien before resolving at dawn to stop running from his feelings for Elayne and Aviendha. He Travels to Caemlyn, notes Alanna’s bond, and heads to his apartments where Aviendha startles at being seen unclothed and then bristles over being left behind. Lews Therin abruptly warns of death and fades.
Mistress Harfor reports powerful Andoran nobles quietly entering the city and delivers curt letters from two Sea Folk Wavemistresses demanding audience with the “Coramoor.” Sulin appears in Palace livery, kneeling like a servant; Nandera explains she is meeting toh for having spoken to gai’shain as a Maiden. Rand realizes intervening would dishonor her choice. A veiled letter from Queen Alliandre of Ghealdan signals discreet goodwill and concern over Masema.
As Aviendha tries to speak to Rand, a Gray Man slips into the room, unseen by the Maidens. Rand seizes the assassin with Air, but Mazrim Taim steps from the bedchamber and kills the man with a bar of fire, spoiling any chance to question him. Lews Therin nearly wrenches control of saidin to kill Taim, forcing Rand to fight the urge down.
Taim reports recruiting a strong potential channeler, Jahar Narishma, and warns that attacking Sammael in Illian would be suicide. Rand dismisses him, then secures the Maidens’ silence about Taim’s visit and the details of the attack to avoid panic. Aviendha lectures Rand on ji’e’toh and his public missteps, leaving him isolated with the corpse and his doubts.
Elsewhere in Caemlyn, Padan Fain broods over his Shadar Logoth dagger, furious a Gray Man tried for Rand’s life. He torments his Darkfriend informants, cowing a Myrddraal, and vows that Rand must die by his hand alone, renewing his plans to wound Rand through chaos and fear.
Who Appears
- Rand al’ThorDragon Reborn; resolves to stop running, faces a Gray Man, struggles with Lews Therin, manages political and Aiel tensions.
- AviendhaAiel apprentice Wise One; confronts Rand about leaving her, embraces saidar during attack, lectures him on ji’e’toh.
- Mazrim TaimLeader of Rand’s school; kills the Gray Man, reports recruiting Jahar Narishma, remains cool and calculating.
- Lews Therin TelamonVoice in Rand’s head; warns of death, nearly seizes saidin to kill Taim, then recedes.
- NanderaMaiden of the Spear; organizes guarding, explains Sulin’s toh, accepts secrecy about the attack.
- JalaniYoung Maiden; present during the attack, ashamed at missing the Gray Man, agrees to keep silent.
- Reene HarforFirst Maid of the Palace; reports nobles’ arrivals, delivers Sea Folk letter, supervises Sulin’s service.
- SulinMaiden of the Spear; serves in livery to meet toh for dishonoring gai’shain, avoids Rand.
- Padan FainMad adversary bound to Shadar Logoth; learns of the attempt, tortures allies, vows to kill Rand himself.
- Alliandre Maritha KigarinQueen of Ghealdan; sends a cautious letter signaling goodwill and concern over Masema.
- Zaida din Parede BlackwingSea Folk Wavemistress; leaves a terse, offended summons for the Coramoor in Caemlyn.
- Harine din Togara Two WindsSea Folk Wavemistress; requests Rand meet her aboard White Spray at once.
- Gray ManSoulless assassin; infiltrates Rand’s rooms, is captured by Rand and slain by Taim.
- Perwyn BelmanDarkfriend boy; brings Fain news of the assassination attempt, is cruelly afflicted.
- Nan BelmanDarkfriend; mother of Perwyn, pleads with Fain and is dragged off.
- MyrddraalHalfman serving Fain; cowers under his control as Fain plots against Rand.