The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
53 Fading Words
Overview
In the wake of Lanfear’s attack, Moiraine and Lanfear vanish through the redstone doorframe as the wagon burns. Egwene survives but must rest, and Lan departs after Moiraine’s altered bond passes to another Aes Sedai.
Rand reads Moiraine’s prescient letter, accepts Maidens in his strike force after confronting Sulin, and moves to attack Rahvin.
Summary
Amid lightning and smoke from the redstone doorframe ter’angreal, Rand realizes Moiraine has grappled Lanfear through the gateway; both are gone as the wagon burns. Rand restrains Lan from a futile pursuit, then rushes to Egwene and Aviendha, who are shaken and injured but alive. Wise Ones tend Egwene and forbid her entry to Tel’aran’rhiod for days.
Grieving, Rand tells Aviendha and the Wise Ones that Lanfear and Moiraine are dead. He surveys the devastated docks as Cairhienin nobles watch warily. Rand offers condolences to Lan, who reveals Moiraine shifted his Warder bond to another; compelled by the new tie, Lan rides west, asking Rand to tell Nynaeve he has found another, to spare her pain.
Seeking privacy, Rand reads Moiraine’s letter. She foresaw the docks confrontation from Rhuidean: in other branches Lanfear killed Rand or carried him off; this path claimed Moiraine’s life. She warns him to trust no current Aes Sedai fully—naming Verin and Alviarin—and to be wary of Jasin Natael (Asmodean). She asks delivery of a letter to Thom and says Lan will one day understand. Her closing confidence cuts Rand even as he blames himself.
Sulin confronts Rand for excluding Maidens from the coming fight, breaking spears to show the loss of honor he imposes. Rand admits he cannot bear women dying and tries to forbid them; Sulin insists ji’e’toh demands choice and that only Rand can face the Forsaken, but he must let Maidens carry his honor. Rand relents: Far Dareis Mai will stand with other societies.
Outside, Enaila leads a long line of smiling Maidens; Wise Ones approve. Mat, grimly alive, pushes to begin. Rand, accepting his losses and the Maidens’ place, commits to the next step: it is time to roll the dice and move against Rahvin.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorGrieves Moiraine, reads her prophetic letter, reconciles with Maidens, and commits to attacking Rahvin.
- SulinChallenges Rand over excluding Maidens; asserts ji’e’toh; secures Maidens’ inclusion in the strike.
- Lan MandragoranMourns Moiraine; reveals his bond was passed; departs west to his new Aes Sedai, leaving a message for Nynaeve.
- Moiraine DamodredGrapples Lanfear through the ter’angreal; presumed dead; leaves Rand a fading letter of warnings and guidance.
- Egwene al'VereInjured by Lanfear’s attack; tended by Wise Ones; barred from Tel’aran’rhiod until recovered.
- AviendhaSurvives Lanfear’s assault, claims toh to Rand, supports Egwene, insists she is fit to proceed.
- Mat CauthonShaken but impatient to act; presses Rand to move on Rahvin, quipping it’s time to roll the dice.
- AmysWise One tending Egwene; calls Rand a fool; later approves inclusion of Maidens.
- BairWise One who ministers to Egwene and forbids her entering Tel’aran’rhiod for days.
- MelaineWise One, angry at events; helps tend Egwene and supports restrictions for recovery.
- SorileaWise One who scolds Egwene yet shows sympathy; enforces rest and discipline.
- Jasin Natael (Asmodean)Nervously present after the attack; Moiraine’s letter warns Rand to remain wary of him.
- EnailaLeads the line of Maidens ready to accompany Rand, pleased at being included.
- Dobraine TaborwinCairhienin lord observing the aftermath at the docks, gauging Rand.
- Talmanes DelovindeCairhienin commander watching events closely, aligned with Mat.
- NaleseanBand officer present with Talmanes and Daerid, observing the aftermath.