Chapter 2

Perrin brings the Tuatha’an woman Leya into the hidden mountain camp. She ignores the Dragon banner and insists on seeing Moiraine immediately, heading to the Aes Sedai’s hut despite the cold. Perrin settles the horses and warms by the fire among Shienarans, craving meat after a hard winter.

Min quietly tells Perrin she has viewed Leya’s death: Leya’s own face, bloodied and staring. Knowing her viewings are certain yet imprecise in timing, Min laments being unable to help. They discuss the limits of her visions and the futility of warnings. Loial joins, and the talk turns to ta’veren; Min complains of being swept along by Rand, Mat, and Perrin, while Loial admits he left the stedding to see Ogier groves and dreams of writing a book.

Rand exits Moiraine’s hut to respectful acclamation from the Shienarans but withdraws into the trees. Perrin follows him through a narrow rock cleft to a secluded vale where Rand broods over the heron brands on his palms and recites a prophecy about being marked twice by heron and Dragon. They speak of duty, Moiraine’s counsel to wait, and the scattered followers on Almoth Plain dying in Rand’s name.

Overwhelmed, Rand rails at being maneuvered and at his own inaction, then succumbs to the pull of saidin. The earth heaves violently, trees crack, and dust billows as Rand stands unmoved, eyes shut. When it ends, Rand admits he did not intend it; sometimes he reaches for the Power and either catches nothing or too much, feeling the Dark One’s taint like a film of vileness.

Perrin warns him about the danger and urges returning to camp. Rand stays behind, haunted by dreams and the inexorable draw of saidin, while Perrin leaves him to his thoughts as night approaches.