The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
18 A Hound of Darkness
Overview
In Amador, Moghedien reveals herself to Liandrin’s hidden Black Ajah cell, effortlessly seizing control. She humiliates and compels Liandrin, issues private missions to several sisters, and keeps five—Liandrin, Asne, Chesmal, Temaile, and Eldrith—for her priority task.
Moghedien orders them to find and deliver Nynaeve alive, shifting the hunt directly onto Nynaeve and escalating the Shadow’s pursuit.
Summary
Liandrin returns to the Arene household in Amador, fuming over fruitless Tower news and despising the merchant trappings that shelter her Black Ajah cell. Amellia Arene nervously reports a visitor “from Tar Valon,” and Liandrin enters to find all her surviving Black sisters on edge around a sturdy, unfamiliar woman.
When Liandrin tries to seize saidar, the visitor blocks her and calmly reveals herself as Moghedien, who had once posed as the servant Gyldin in Tanchico. The Blacks’ unease makes sense: Moghedien has already overawed them. Liandrin grovels but also probes for advantage, realizing Moghedien does not know who leads the Tower’s Blacks. Tempted by potential leverage, Liandrin attempts a sudden strike using her “trick,” but Moghedien anticipates it, inflicts excruciating pain, and then demonstrates a deeper Compulsion that briefly makes Liandrin worship her.
Shattered and warned of a far harsher “second lesson,” Liandrin submits. Moghedien binds most of the women from hearing or speech and summons them one by one, issuing private orders. Rianna, Marillin, Jeaine, Berylla, Falion, and Ispan depart swiftly on undisclosed tasks, some fearful, some eager.
Finally Moghedien keeps five—Liandrin, Asne, Chesmal, Temaile, and Eldrith—for her “most important harvest,” a personal vendetta: Nynaeve al’Meara. Moghedien explains that two days earlier Nynaeve was in Sienda with another young woman but has since vanished. She orders this select group to find Nynaeve and deliver her alive, decisively redirecting the Black Ajah’s efforts toward capturing Nynaeve.
Who Appears
- LiandrinBlack Ajah leader in Amador; defies Moghedien, is brutally subdued, then assigned to help capture Nynaeve.
- MoghedienForsaken; reveals control, punishes Liandrin, issues secret orders, and commands a team to take Nynaeve alive.
- Temaile KinderodeFormer Gray; serves Moghedien nervously and is kept on the team hunting Nynaeve.
- Asne ZerameneFormer Green; fearful yet compliant; retained by Moghedien to pursue Nynaeve.
- Chesmal EmryFormer Yellow and noted Healer; intimidated and assigned to the group to capture Nynaeve.
- Eldrith JhondarFormer Brown; remains with Liandrin under Moghedien to hunt Nynaeve.
- Rianna AndomeranFormer White; receives private orders from Moghedien and departs.
- Marillin GemalphinFormer Brown; surprised then eager at Moghedien’s secret assignment.
- Jeaine CaideFormer Green; horrified by her private task but forced to comply.
- Berylla NaronSkilled plotter; accepts Moghedien’s orders with a controlled demeanor.
- Falion BhodaCold and fearful; quietly sent on a separate mission.
- Ispan ShefarFormer Gray; fawningly accepts Moghedien’s orders and leaves.
- Amellia AreneMerchant’s wife hosting the Black Ajah; pleads for her broken husband’s relief.
- Jorin AreneMerchant; left traumatized by Black Ajah cruelty, bedridden and terrified.