The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
23 “The Fifth, I Give You”
Overview
The Aiel host enters Cairhien, witnessing Shaido atrocities at Selean. Rand asserts strict rules of war: the fifth is allowed, but no looting of food or harm to noncombatants, under penalty of hanging. Sorilea supports a hard stance to hold the clans. Aviendha, distressed by duties tying her to Rand, is overruled by the Wise Ones.
Summary
Egwene surveys the Aiel streaming out of the Jangai Pass into Cairhien, noting the cooler lands, the ruined Silk Path, and Kadere’s wagons laden with ter’angreal under Moiraine’s watch—especially the wagon holding the doorframe. She observes Wise Ones’ scrutiny of Rand and Maidens carrying crude dolls after a private reckoning of toh.
Passing Selean, Egwene sees Shaido atrocities: impaled corpses and burned farms. The devastation underscores the stakes as Rand presses the march. He convenes the clan chiefs and declares they may take the fifth, but no food is to be seized, nothing burned, and no innocents harmed; any violator—no matter the rank—will hang. The chiefs bridle, yet accept his command.
Egwene reflects on Rand’s rapid hardening of command. She tries to comfort Aviendha, who remains upset by recent tensions and by being required to sleep in Rand’s tent. Aviendha begs Egwene to intercede with the Wise Ones, but Sorilea intervenes, quashing any appeal and insisting on obedience.
Sorilea probes Aviendha about Laman’s sword-gift and pointedly suggests marriage prospects to bind Rand closer to the Aiel, proposing Feran. Aviendha deflects while maintaining ji’e’toh. Sorilea privately tells Egwene that Rand must prove himself the hardest chief to hold the core of the Aiel as the bleakness spreads. The column moves on, with Aviendha refusing further discussion and Moiraine still guarding the ter’angreal wagon.
Who Appears
- Egwene al’VereObserves the Aiel march, Selean’s ruin, and Rand’s command; supports Aviendha but yields to Sorilea.
- Rand al’ThorAsserts strict rules on taking the fifth, forbids looting and harming innocents, threatens hangings to control the clans.
- AviendhaTroubled by duty and sleeping in Rand’s tent; asks Egwene to intercede; submits to Wise Ones’ authority.
- SorileaDominant Wise One; halts Aviendha’s appeal, urges that Rand be harder than the chiefs; hints at marriage politics.
- AmysWise One present with the column; a figure Egwene considers appealing to regarding Aviendha.
- MelaineNewly married Wise One; flustered by Sorilea and discussed as changed by marriage.
- Moiraine DamodredRides with Kadere’s wagons, focusing on the ter’angreal, especially the doorframe; guards the cargo closely.
- RhuarcClan chief accompanying Rand; accepts the harsh decree despite reservations.
- BaelClan chief; questions limitations on the fifth but yields to Rand’s command.
- DhearicClan chief; objects to coddling treekillers yet is warned by Rand to obey.
- IsendreGai’shain in black, struggling with pack animals; a visible sign of punishment and discipline among the Aiel.
- Mat CauthonRides with the column, armed with his spear; observes Rand’s leadership as Aiel stream past.