The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
20 Jangai Pass
Overview
Approaching Jangai Pass, Rand finds Taien ravaged and ringed with hanged corpses, a brutal message from Couladin. Survivors report prisoners taken as gai’shain, violating ji’e’toh and hardening Aiel attitudes. Rand orders care for survivors, burial of the dead, and scouts the pass against ambush, signaling a measured, just leadership amid escalating Shaido atrocities.
Summary
Rand leads his party toward Jangai Pass beneath the Spine of the World while Moiraine presses lessons on rulership and recent news, including Elaida’s rise. Ancient remnants flank the pass, and Asmodean rides as bannerman under the ancient Aes Sedai symbol. Rand keeps Egwene and Aviendha with the Wise Ones, wary of how Aiel might be received by locals.
They find Taien ruined: bodies hang along the walls, ravens feed, and the town lies burned. Three starving survivors—Tal Nethin, Aril, and Ander Corl—report a night assault by Aiel who killed, looted, burned, and took the young as prisoners called “gai’shain,” led by a man with dragon tattoos on his arms. The leader left the corpses as a message for a man following—Couladin threatening worse to come.
Rand’s anger flares at the survivors’ fear-driven inaction over their dead, but their panic spikes when Aiel scouts reveal themselves. Rhuarc and Dhearic arrive with forces encircling the hold; they disdain the “treekillers” of Cairhien yet confirm reports of prisoners. The chiefs are unsettled that Couladin would take wetlanders as gai’shain, a violation of ji’e’toh.
Lan warns of potential traps in the narrow pass, and Rand orders a halt to camp while sending Duadhe Mahdi’in scouts ahead. Despite Maidens’ silent disapproval at not being chosen, Rand maintains his plan. He instructs Rhuarc to find and feed the survivors, take them along, and bury the dead, balancing necessity with justice as they prepare to enter the pass toward embattled Cairhien.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorLeads forces to Jangai Pass; confronts Couladin’s atrocities at Taien; orders aid for survivors, burials, and scouting for ambush.
- Moiraine DamodredAdvises Rand on rulership and politics; briefly heals/steadies Aril; supports measured response despite Aiel-Cairhienin tensions.
- RhuarcAiel clan chief; helps encircle Taien; affirms that taking wetlanders as gai’shain violates ji’e’toh; executes Rand’s orders.
- DhearicReyn clan chief; pleased to send Water Seekers as scouts; condemns Couladin’s excess killing and rejection of ji’e’toh.
- Lan MandragoranWarns of possible ambush in pass; influences Rand’s decision to halt and scout the narrows.
- Mat CauthonQuestions Taien’s lack of sentries; cynically notes Couladin would cheat even his mother.
- Asmodean (Jasin Natael)Rides as reluctant bannerman under the ancient Aes Sedai symbol; draws notice for his attire.
- SulinLeads the Maidens; silently disapproves when others are chosen as scouts; present at Taien.
- Tal NethinTaien saddlemaker survivor; describes Couladin’s raid, the message, and prisoners taken.
- ArilTaien survivor; reports her children taken as gai’shain; steadied by Moiraine.
- Ander CorlTaien bootmaker; recounts Couladin’s display of dragon-marked arms and threat to the pursuer.
- Keille Shaogi (Kadere)Merchant caravan master; observes Taien’s ruin calmly as wagons lag behind.
- EnailaMaiden present with Rand’s party; observes tensions and scouting choices in silence.
- JolienMaiden present at Taien; part of the silent Maiden contingent with Sulin.
- AdelinMaiden present; stands with Sulin as Rand plans scouting and aid.