Contents
Lord of Chaos
Overview
Demandred is charged by the Dark One to let chaos reign while Forsaken ranks shift: Rahvin is dead; Lanfear, Moghedien missing, and two are reborn. In Salidar, Nynaeve and Elayne secretly hold Moghedien as an Aes Sedai embassy forms for Rand. Perrin prepares to answer Rand’s pull, while Gawyn escorts Aes Sedai negotiating with Shaido. Morgase seeks rescue through Amadicia as Pedron Niall schemes. The Black Ajah aims to deliver Rand to the Tower, aligning with Sevanna to trap him.
Summary
On Shayol Ghul’s slopes, Demandred meets the unprecedented Myrddraal Shaidar Haran and hears the Dark One: Rahvin is dead by balefire, Asmodean and Lanfear vanished, Moghedien missing. Demandred is authorized to use balefire and tempted with Nae’blis, then ordered: “Let the Lord of Chaos rule,” with fates of others pronounced.
In Salidar, Nynaeve uses a bracelet-necklace ter’angreal to channel through the captive Moghedien (“Marigan”) seeking to Heal Siuan and Leane’s stilling; tests show stilled women cannot use the link. Elayne bursts in: an embassy will go to Rand in Caemlyn, but she is forbidden; Min will go covertly. After Aes Sedai praise Elayne’s ter’angreal work, Elayne and Min reaffirm friendship, conceal Min’s viewings from Rand, and worry over the unnatural heat.
In the Two Rivers, Faile holds court, managing refugees, trades, and Wisdoms anxious over drought. Perrin watches Aram train and reveals he feels Rand’s urgent pull; he plans to leave secretly that night. Faile resolves to accompany him despite his protests.
Near Cairhien, Gawyn deploys the Younglings while Aes Sedai (led by Coiren) parley with Shaido Wise Ones. News that Morgase is rumored dead drives Gawyn to vow Rand’s death if true. In the Aes Sedai camp, Katerine and Galina (Black Ajah) press a scheme to escort Rand to the Tower and use Shaido aid; Sevanna demands to see Rand’s defeat and plots to seize him with a mysterious cube given by a wetlander.
In Amadicia, Morgase courts King Ailron’s aid while Tallanvor defies her flight to Amadicia. Pedron Niall offers five thousand Whitecloaks, paints Rand as a false Dragon and Tower puppet, and quietly stations guards over her. Afterward, he tasks Jaichim Carridin to foment Dragonsworn chaos in Altara and Murandy, avoiding open moves against Salidar.
Elsewhere, Mesaana convenes Semirhage, Demandred, and Graendal; Demandred delivers the Dark One’s directive to let chaos reign and outlines a risky plan. Finally, two Forsaken are resurrected in new bodies as Osan’gar and Aran’gar. Shaidar Haran asserts dominance, suppresses their channeling until permitted, and dispatches them covertly into the world.
Who Appears
- DemandredForsaken; summoned at Shayol Ghul, receives the command to let chaos rule and plots against Rand.
- Shaidar HaranUnusually tall Myrddraal; emissary/hand of the Dark One, enforces will over Forsaken.
- Nynaeve al’MearaIn Salidar, uses a control ter’angreal on Moghedien to attempt Healing stilled Siuan and Leane.
- Elayne TrakandChafes at being barred from the embassy; advances ter’angreal work; confides with Min.
- Moghedien (as Marigan)Captive Forsaken under disguise; controlled via bracelet-necklace; withholds knowledge, fears discovery.
- Siuan SancheStilled ex-Amyrlin; runs eyes-and-ears; skeptical of Healing attempt; maneuvers Salidar politics.
- Leane SharifStilled; tests the bracelet; aids Siuan’s clandestine support for Rand.
- Min FarshawAgrees to join the embassy and carry Elayne’s letter; vows secrecy about her viewings.
- Faile t’BashereHolds court in Emond’s Field; reassures Wisdoms; resolves to follow Perrin.
- Perrin AybaraSenses Rand urgently needs him; plans to depart the Two Rivers at night.
- Gawyn TrakandLeads Younglings; learns rumors of Morgase’s death; swears vengeance on Rand.
- Galina CasbanHead of the Red and Black Ajah; directs the plot to deliver Rand alive to the Tower.
- SevannaShaido Wise One leader; allies with Aes Sedai to see Rand’s defeat; schemes to seize him.
- Morgase TrakandIn Amadicia seeking aid; confronted by Pedron Niall; weighs fraught options to regain Andor.
- Pedron NiallWhitecloak commander; manipulates Morgase and orders Carridin to incite Dragonsworn unrest.
- Jaichim CarridinInquisitor; tasked to foment Dragonsworn chaos in Altara and Murandy.
- MesaanaForsaken; hosts a council; weighs risky plans under the edict to let chaos rule.
- SemirhageForsaken; implacable and poised; counsels caution regarding Aes Sedai threats.
- GraendalForsaken; reports on Sammael; masks cunning behind hedonism.
- Osan’gar and Aran’garResurrected Forsaken in new bodies; subordinated by Shaidar Haran; sent covertly into the world.