Chapter 26

On sun-baked hills near Caemlyn, Rand inspects Davram Bashere’s Saldaean cavalry performing daring drills. Deira t’Bashere confronts him coldly, while Rand wrestles with Lews Therin’s mad laughter and worries over Sulin’s absence.

Returning to the New City, a rooftop crossbowman fires at Rand. He catches the bolt on a shield of Air and incinerates the shooter, but Desora, a Maiden, tackles Rand from the saddle and dies with the bolt through her. Aiel capture four Whitecloaks; Rand orders three hanged and spares Dimir Faral to carry a warning to Pedron Niall. He honors the dead, including an innocent woman, and commands the Maidens to aid her family.

In the Palace, Reene Harfor announces a petition from a Sea Folk Wavemistress, which Rand schedules for midafternoon. Reene pointedly tests his intent for Elayne’s succession; Rand swears the Lion Throne is Elayne’s. Nandera and Caldin rebuke Rand’s rashness.

Meeting Elenia Sarand, Rand solicits Andoran history: Ishara secured Tar Valon’s support through Souran Maravaile, built stable rule, and all Houses trace lines to her. Crucially, Elenia explains that while Houses are interrelated, commoners of similar remove wouldn’t be considered related. Rand realizes Tigraine and Morgase wouldn’t be kin “as farmers,” easing his fear of kinship with Elayne.

When Elenia remarks on Rand’s resemblance to Tigraine, he ends the audience abruptly. Resolute, he orders the Aiel to assemble and plans to Travel to Cairhien, asking that Aviendha not be told.