Contents
The Dragon Reborn
Overview
In Amador, Pedron Niall weighs reports of rising chaos and a youth proclaiming himself the Dragon Reborn. He commands Jaichim Carridin to secretly keep the false Dragon alive to rally the world through fear. Ordeith identifies the youth as Rand al’Thor. A Myrddraal coerces Carridin to kill Rand within a month, creating deadly cross-purposes.
Summary
In the Fortress of the Light, Pedron Niall studies reports of upheaval—wars in Tarabon, Arad Doman, and Cairhien; multiple false Dragons; Aiel sightings; and Aes Sedai openly intervening. Jaret Byar recounts Falme: Aes Sedai channeling devastated Geofram Bornhald’s force; strange invaders fled; Byar blames a Two Rivers man, Perrin.
Niall then confronts Inquisitor Jaichim Carridin. Carridin dismisses rumors of overseas conquerors, insisting Falme held Darkfriends and Aes Sedai. He argues the “false Dragon’s” forces are scattered and pledges to destroy him by summer. Niall instead orders Carridin to keep the false Dragon alive to create fear and obedience, threatening assassination if disobeyed.
After Carridin leaves, Ordeith emerges via a secret passage, displays private knowledge, and names the supposed Dragon as Rand al’Thor from the Two Rivers, linking him to other alleged Darkfriends, Matrim Cauthon and Perrin Aybara. Niall considers future action toward the Two Rivers.
Back in his quarters, Carridin is confronted by a Myrddraal, who reminds him of his oaths to the Shadow and commands Rand al’Thor’s death within a month, promising to murder Carridin’s kin progressively if he fails. Bruised and terrified, Carridin prepares urgent orders, trapped between Niall’s command to preserve Rand and the Shadow’s ultimatum to kill him.
Who Appears
- Pedron NiallLord Captain Commander of the Children; crafts a plan to exploit a false Dragon and threatens Carridin.
- Jaichim CarridinQuestioner leader; reports on Falme, is ordered to preserve the false Dragon, then forced by a Myrddraal to kill Rand.
- Jaret ByarFanatical Child of the Light; reports Falme, blames Aes Sedai and Perrin, confirms Bornhald’s death.
- OrdeithMysterious adviser; identifies the youth as Rand al’Thor and hints at Two Rivers connections.
- MyrddraalEyeless Shadow lieutenant; threatens Carridin, ordering Rand al’Thor’s death within a month.
- SharbonCarridin’s servant; briefly appears, highlighting Carridin’s shaken state after the Myrddraal’s visit.