Contents
Chapter 4
Overview
Rand inspects his army near the Plains of Maredo, learns several Tairen High Lords have rebelled, and responds by stripping titles, issuing warrants, and threatening execution for persistence. He reaffirms plans against Sammael in Illian, orders all forces to hold until Mat arrives, and secures promises from Aiel chiefs despite their impatience.
The chapter underscores Rand’s political ruthlessness, his logistical focus, and a larger deception: the massive host is a decoy masking his true strike on Sammael.
Summary
In the scorching camp on the Plains of Maredo, Rand emerges from his guarded tent under the Dragon and ancient Aes Sedai banners. Aiel Maidens and Thunder Walkers banter, revealing the rise of the siswai’aman headbands. Rand proceeds to the Tairen pavilion where nobles from Tear and Cairhien await.
Inside, High Lord Weiramon reports that Hearne and Simaan have broken away to Haddon Mirk, joining Darlin, Tedosian, and Estanda in open rebellion with a letter declaring Rand a false Dragon. Rand issues a hard decree: forfeiture of titles and estates, arrest warrants for all named rebels, absolution for anyone who kills them, clemency for those who surrender, and hanging for the rest. The nobles are shaken by the stripping of titles.
Turning to Illian, Rand reviews intelligence on Sammael’s forts in the Doirlon Hills. He rejects Weiramon’s reckless plan to advance and orders the army to hold position until Mat arrives and more forces and supplies are in place, emphasizing logistics and wagons to avoid ravaging Illian. He maintains that Sammael is the true priority and that the public plan must be seen to proceed, masking deeper intentions.
The Aiel clan chiefs arrive. They confirm their own scouting and press Rand to attack immediately with Aiel alone. Rand instead extracts firm promises from Bruan, Jheran, Dhearic, Han, and Erim to remain until Mat commands movement, despite their frustration. They share pipes and puzzling Aiel humor, avoiding further discussion of the campaign.
Rand returns to Caemlyn after nightfall, carefully avoiding waking Aviendha, who sleeps on a pallet in his chamber. Content yet wary, Rand reflects on his hidden strategy: the great army massed in Tear is a deliberate decoy for his coming strike on Sammael, a joke his enemy will not see until too late.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorCommands forces near Maredo, punishes Tairen rebels, delays the Illian advance, and conceals a ruse against Sammael.
- Weiramon SaniagoTairen commander; urges immediate attack on Illian; overruled and kept in place to ensure delay.
- Semaradrid MaravinSenior Cairhienin lord; skeptical yet dutiful; focuses on logistics and opposes rash advance.
- TolmeranPragmatic Tairen lord; accepts Rand’s identity cautiously; supports supply planning, doubts Mat’s command.
- SunamonObsequious High Lord; manages supply efforts while fretting over expense and appearances.
- ToreanHigh Lord entangled with rebels; nervous and sweating as Rand’s harsh decrees land.
- BruanNakai clan chief; leads Aiel chiefs present; promises to hold despite preferring swift action.
- JheranShaarad chief; confirms Aiel scouting of Illian camps; urges immediate Aiel strike.
- DhearicReyn chief; contemptuous of wetlander dithering; agrees to hold on Rand’s word.
- HanTomanelle chief; fiery and impatient; argues to send Aiel after rebels and into Illian.
- ErimChareen chief; supports moving Aiel swiftly; yields to Rand’s order to wait for Mat.
- SulinMaiden of the Spear; guards Rand, chides his humor and offers blunt advice about Aviendha.
- EnailaMaiden; trades jests with Thunder Walkers; fusses over Rand’s eating and Aviendha.
- SomaraMaiden; comments on Leiran and Aviendha; monitors Rand’s meals.
- AviendhaAiel woman sleeping in Rand’s chamber; silent presence highlighting their strained, intimate tension.
- RoidanThunder Walker leader; notes clan chiefs excluded from Tairen councils.
- MenerilYoung Cairhienin lord; labels Tairen nobles’ actions treason; supports robust logistics.