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 Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:41 pm
There's this aweomse book series by an excellent author called the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan.
There are 12 books in the series.
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:43 pm
These are all the books (listed in order):
Prequel: New Spring
Book 1: The Eye of the World
Book 2: The Great Hunt
Book 3: The Dragon Reborn
Book 4: The Shadow Rising
Book 5: The Fires of Heaven
Book 6: Lord of Chaos [currently reading]
Book 7: A Crown of Swords
Book 8: The Path of Daggers
Book 9: Winter's Heart
Book 10: Crossroads of Twilight
Book 11: Knife of Dreams
Book 12: A Memory of Light[author hasn't finished writing]
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Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2007 10:44 pm
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:19 pm
~New Spring~
Lan's point of view
The Aiel War is over and Lan rides north to the Blight with Bukama. In Canluum, Kandor, they meet Ryne, an old friend, who informs them that Edeyn Arrel, Lan's carneira, intends to raise the banner of the Golden Crane of Malkier. Together they ride to Chachin, noticing someone following them. It turns out to be a woman (Moiraine) who claims the right of a woman alone, and gives them the name of Lady Alys, and Bukama pledges to protect her to Chachin. Lan doubts that this woman is who she claims she is, and believes that Edeyn sent her.
Once in Chachin, their ways part and the three men ride on to the Aesdaishar Palace where Lan is received by Prince Brys, Prince-Consort to Queen Ethenielle of Kandor. A few days later, Lady Alys appears again and wants him to spy on Merean Redhill, an Aes Sedai staying at the Palace. When he and Moiraine/Alys uncover a plot of Merean's that involves killing Brys, his son Diryk, and Edeyn's daughter Iselle, they rush to save the three innocent victims from her, and Lan confronts Ryne in a duel. The next day, he rides out of the city, when Moiraine rides up to him and asks him to be her Warder.
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Moiraine's point of view
In their time as Accepted, Moiraine and Siuan are present when Gitara Moroso speaks her Foretelling of the Dragon's rebirth. Later, Tamra Ospenya, the Amyrlin Seat, decides to give out a bounty of one hundred gold marks to every woman who bore a child in the camps around Tar Valon during the week of the end of the Aiel War. This is really a plan to find out who could possibly be the Dragon Reborn. At first, Moiraine and Siuan ride out with the other Accepted to record names for the bounty, but the following day they are instead told to re-copy out the lists that are unreadable, which gives them the opportunity to create their own list of babies that meet the description of the soon-to-be-Dragon. Moiraine is told by Tamra to take a letter to Kerene Nagashi, asking her to appear before the Amyrlin. Other sisters receive letters as well, which leads the young women to think that Tamra wants to send out searchers for the boychild. One after the other those sisters leave Tar Valon, and one morning Tamra is announced dead.
After she and Siuan are raised to Aes Sedai, Moiraine leaves Tar Valon to search for the boychild herself. In Canluum, she meets Merean and Cadsuane, and also Siuan, who has left the Tower to tell Moiraine that Tamra's searchers are all dead, possibly killed by the Black Ajah. Moiraine avoids Cadsuane, and when she leaves Canluum, she follows three riders (Lan, Bukama and Ryne), who she believes may be Darkfriends. She claims the right of a woman alone to have an excuse to ride with them. On the way, she looks for the women on her list of possible mothers of the Dragon Reborn, but none of them is who she is searching for.
In Chachin, she meets Siuan again, who has located Ines Demain, the next mother on their list, in the Aesdaishar Palace. When she is there and hears that Lan is also there, she immediately wants to go back to her rooms to avoid running into him, but on her way she meets Merean again. No longer sure who she can and cannot trust, and who is and isn't Black Ajah, she decides to go to Lan and ask him and Bukama to spy on Merean. Later, when Lan accuses her of attempting to have him killed, (it was really Merean), Moiraine is certain that Merean is a Black sister and they run to confront her. Merean kills Brys and Diryk before Moiraine kills her. Moiraine tries to save Iselle, but fails. The following day, she rides out after Lan to ask him to become her Warder.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:20 pm
~The Eye of the World~
The book begins in the region of the Two Rivers, which has been virtually cut off from most of the rest of the world for over a thousand years. It has a spring festival, Bel Tine. On the way from his father’s isolated farm, Rand notices a strange man watching him. The man, whose cloak doesn't move in the wind, frightens him. He tells Tam, his father and a widower, but the man is gone when Tam looks.
They arrive in the village of Emond's Field, where Rand meets his friends Mat, who is fond of foolish pranks, and Perrin, an apprentice blacksmith. They also reveal having seen the man. They learn of strangers, Moiraine and Lan in the village, something that is almost unheard of, together with a gleeman, Thom and a peddler, Padan Fain. Moiraine gives them each a coin, a token, she claims for any work she might ask them to do for her. Fain tells of a false Dragon in Ghealdan, which sets the village worrying, as Ghealdan is not far from Emond’s Field, though it is all but unreachable. The Village Council orders patrols, mostly to calm the nerves of the villagers.
Rand and his father return to their house. When Trollocs attack Rand's farm, his father Tam brings out a sword to fight them. Rand briefly speaks with a Trolloc which wants Rand to wait for someone, before Rand kills it. His father takes a wound which quickly renders him incapacitated. In a delirious moment, Tam reveals he found Rand on a mountain, during the Aiel War. Rand takes him back to Emond’s Field where Moiraine, who has been revealed as an Aes Sedai, Heals him of the wound he took. When the people blame Moiraine for the attack, she tells them of the time in the Trolloc Wars when Manetheren was destroyed and that she is disappointed at what its blood has come to. This shames the villagers who leave her alone.
Moiraine convinces the boys that the Trollocs were after them personally as it was only their houses and farms that were directly attacked, and the man looking at them was a Myrddraal and they must leave the village. They are accompanied by Rand's girlfriend Egwene, who wishes to become Aes Sedai, and Thom.
Fleeing Emond’s Field, they pass through Taren Ferry, where Moiraine misdirects the following Myrddraal and sinks the boat they crossed the river on. They see a Draghkar above. They head for the town of Baerlon, which amazes them because of its perceived immense size. On the way, Rand channels for the first time, to help Egwene's horse stay ahead of the Trollocs. In Baerlon, Rand meets Min, a young woman who claims to see strange auras around him and his companions.
Rand, Mat and Perrin start having dreams of a man clad in black, calling himself Ba'alzamon who tells them they will serve him. He breaks a rat's back, and in the morning, all the rats in the inn are dead. The village Wisdom, Nynaeve catches up with them. Min tells Rand that this means the trouble they are in is worse. Though Nynaeve wishes to take them home she agrees to go on with them. Mat plays a trick on some Whitecloaks, including Dain Bornhald, getting Rand, who is suffering the ill effects of channeling for the first time, into trouble for laughing. They leave Baerlon at night, Moiraine using a trick of the One Power to scare the Whitecloaks who are intent on stopping them. Behind them, they see the inn they stayed in on fire. They set off on the road to Tar Valon. They are chased by Trollocs, prompting Mat to unknowingly chant the ancient battle cry of Manetheren in the Old Tongue.
To escape, they are forced to seek refuge in the abandoned and tainted city of Shadar Logoth. Despite being warned that even the Trollocs and Myrddraal fear to enter the city, the boys go exploring, where they meet a man call Mordeth, who casts no shadow. When they notice this, he swells up to many times his normal size and tries to get them. They only just escape him, but Mat manages to get a dagger with a large ruby from his treasure. They return, telling Moiraine that Mordeth did not give them anything. Trollocs and Myrddraal enter the city which worries Moiraine and Lan, as normally no Myrddraal would do so, unless under great duress due to the disappearance of a Trolloc army there in the Trolloc Wars. In order to avoid the Trollocs and the mindless danger of Mashadar, they split up.
Perrin and Egwene end up across a river which runs near the city. Trying to head for Tar Valon, they encounter a strange man, Elyas Machera, who was once a Warder and who is accompanied by wolves. He is able to speak to wolves and claims Perrin can do so as well. The three of them meet up with some Tuatha'an, with whom they spend a few days before heading off. One of them, Aram, takes an instant dislike to Perrin. Aram’s grandmother claims that this is because he has a hard time trying to follow the Way of the Leaf. They are told of an encounter with the Aiel some years previously, in which one claimed that the Dark One wished to turn the Eye of the World to his own purpose.
After leaving them, the three are chased by a pack of ravens. Before they are caught, they enter a stedding, where creatures of the Dark One are reluctant to enter. Here, they encounter a group of Whitecloaks. Fearing for their lives, Perrin kills two of them before he and Egwene are captured. The Whitecloaks are convinced they are Darkfriends, as Perrin runs with wolves and their leader believes wolves are creatures of the Dark One. Egwene is told that unless she repents, she will be killed, Perrin is told by Geofram Bornhald that as he killed Whitecloaks, he will definitely be killed. Another Whitecloak, Jaret Byar, seems to take a personal hatred of Perrin. He offers to let them escape, but Perrin realizes he will kill them both if they do.
Nynaeve, Lan and Moiraine also end up together. Moiraine makes Nynaeve accept that she can channel by pointing out that she can sense her presence, and also that Nynaeve can sense the presence of someone who she has healed with the One Power. She also tells her of apprentice Wisdoms who have died, a common thing amongst those who try learning to channel on their own. Nynaeve agrees to go to Tar Valon to become Aes Sedai, so that she can get revenge on Moiraine. She and Lan also begin to fall in love. The three of them then catch up with and rescue Perrin and Egwene, who Moiraine can trace because of the coin she gave Perrin.
Mat, Thom and Rand escape from Shadar Logoth onto a boat owned by a man called Bayle Domon. Domon is aware of the Trollocs, but believes they are after him, as he has been followed since Saldaea. He shows them ancient objects, including one of the seals on the Dark One's prison, and an object that some men perceive as warm possibly a male angreal. This takes them to Whitebridge where they leave for Caemlyn. They are caught by a Myrddraal, but Mat and Rand escape when Thom stays behind to fight. On the way to Caemlyn, Mat gets steadily more distrusting of everyone except Rand. Darkfriends assail them on the way, encouraging them to swear to the Dark One. One, a woman in silks, tries to kill them, but they escape. Rand has to talk Mat out of killing her. Rand is forced to unknowingly channel again, to escape from a Darkfriend at an inn they are trapped in. In Caemlyn, they head for Basel Gill's inn as it was recommended by Thom. Gil] refuses to believe Thom would have been killed. Here Rand meets and befriends Loial, an Ogier, who at first takes Rand for an Aiel, and tells him he must be ta'veren. Whilst trying to get a good view of the False Dragon Logain, who laughs as he sees Rand, Rand falls into the Palace Garden after being distracted by Elayne. She tends his injuries, while Gawyn watches and Galad fetches the palace guard, led by Tallanvor. Elayne believes Rand to be a loyal Queen's man, as he has a ribbon on his sword that indicates this, but in reality, it is only to cover the Heron Mark, and was the cheaper colour. He is taken before Morgase, Bryne and Elaida, who has a bout of Foretelling and announces that Rand stands at the center of all the suffering and destruction to come. Bryne states that the sword belongs with him. Morgase releases him though, as she has heard the accent of the region before, and though Rand does not look like those from the area, he must have grown up there. On the way out, Gawyn reveals that Rand looks like an Aiel.
The others arrive at the inn, and Moiraine temporarily Heals Mat, who had been behaving strangely because the dagger he was carrying had infected him with some of the taint from Shadar Logoth. She says if she hadn't have done so, the taint would have spread throughout the world. Moiraine learns of the plot by the Dark One to use the Eye of the World in the Blight and they head there via the ways, which Loial knows how to navigate. They only just avoid Machin Shin. They are followed through by Padan Fain, but he stays out of view.
Once out of the ways, they stop in the town of Fal Dara in Shienar, where Padan Fain is captured and revealed to be a Darkfriend, responsible for bringing the Trollocs at Bel Tine. He had been hunting the Dragon Reborn for years. Moiraine reveals that Machin Shin caught up with him but for some reason did not consume him.
They then head off into the Blight. They are attacked by creatures which they fight off, before being pursued by a type of Shadowspawn referred to as Worms, but escape these when they meet the Green Man at the Eye of the World, which is a pool of pure saidin. Whilst there, two of the Forsaken appear. They are very much decayed, as they were close to the top when sealed. They quickly deal with everyone, except the Green Man, who kills Balthamel, though he is killed himself. Rand flees and is pursued by Aginor who is killed.
Rand finds himself in a strange room with Ba'alzamon, who tells him that he has his mother. Discovering he can channel, Rand cuts a black cord coming out of Ba'alzamon's back, before returning to the real world. There, he discovers the Eye of the World to be empty of saidin. Several objects are found in it. These are the Horn of Valere, a banner with a Dragon on it and one of the Seals on the Dark One's prison, broken. Loial sings at the place the Green Man fell, growing a strong tree, which he hopes will not fall to the Blight. They then return to Fal Dara, through an unusually quiet Blight.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:23 pm
~The Great Hunt~
The book begins a few weeks after the end of The Eye of the World. Rand has remained in Fal Dara, practicing the sword with Lan, even though he had said he would get as far away as possible. Any plans he had to leave are shelved when a contingent of Aes Sedai, including the Amyrlin Seat visit. Rand is questioned by one of them, Liandrin of the Red Ajah, who uses the Power on him to try and get answers to her questions. Moiraine convinces the Amyrlin, Siuan, that Rand must be allowed to go his own way, and that she will be there when he needs her.
Trollocs attack the town, freeing Fain from the dungeons and taking with them the Horn of Valere and the dagger which are within the same chest. They leave Dark Prophecies on the wall, linking Luc with Isam, Lan's cousin.
Rand is brought before the Amyrlin, Moiraine and another Aes Sedai, Verin, who has realized that Rand must be the Dragon Reborn. They tell Rand that he was born on Dragonmount at the end of the Aiel War, where Tam, his father, found him. They also tell him he is the Dragon Reborn, which he refuses to accept.
Moiraine convinces Rand to follow after the Horn, telling him it is important that Mat gets the dagger back. As the Aes Sedai are leaving, an arrow is shot from one of the towers, which only just misses the Amyrlin, though it might have been meant for Rand.
They set off after the Horn, using a man called Hurin who can smell violence to locate it. Perrin and Mat see Rand with the Dragon Banner which Moiraine had given him, and Perrin reasons that Rand can channel. Fain meanwhile is beginning to show increasing abilities, such that he takes control of the Darkfriends and stakes a Myrddraal to a door.
Lord Ingtar, the leader of the Shienarans, tells Rand that Moiraine has made him second in command. Rand enters a room in a deserted village and experiences strange flashbacks. During one night, Rand, Loial and Hurin are transported to an alternate world via a Portal Stone. Rand wakes to find a heron branded into his hand. Hurin is able to use his abilities to keep on the trail, so they set off after the Horn. On the way, they meet Lanfear, calling herself Selene. She spends much of her time imploring Rand to seize greatness. They see a memorial of the victory of Trollocs over Artur Hawkwing and realize that in this world, all animal life has been destroyed. Eventually they find another Portal Stone, which Rand uses when they are under attack by creatures known as grolm to transfer them back to the real world. They find they are ahead of the Darkfriends, as Hurin had been smelling where the Darkfriends were going to be, not where they have been. Rand and Loial sneak up on them, and take the Horn and dagger back.
The head on to Cairhien, outside of which they see a sa'angreal in the form of a giant great statue which Rand feels calling to him. Rand is taken for a Lord, and gets mixed up in Daes Dae'mar, the noble houses begin sending him invitations, these he just burns, leading to invitations from greater and greater Houses, eventually leading to invitations from the King and Lord Barthanes, his main rival.
He sees Trollocs in the city and ends up in the Illuminators chapter house when he tries to flee from them, causing it to burn down. He meets Thom, who survived the Myrddraal in Whitebridge, and whilst visiting him, the Darkfriends steal the Horn back.
Ingtar and the rest of the Shienarans are joined by Verin, who claims that Moiraine had sent her. They meet an Aiel claiming to be seeking He who comes with the Dawn, but Verin says they have seen no signs of him. They then catch up with Rand and the others.
Hurin traces the Horn to the manor of Lord Barthanes. The group uses an invitation to attend a party Barthanes is throwing. Here, they discover that Fain has taken the Horn through the Ways to Toman Head, on the Aryth Ocean, where Barthanes, who is a Darkfriend, says he will wait for Rand. The Waygate in Barthanes manor is blocked, by Machin Shin, which tries to come out when they open it, although Verin insists it can't be controlled. The following day Barthanes is found dead, his body completely ripped apart, presumably by a gholam. Thom's girlfriend is killed by men working for the king who was suspicious of his involvement with Rand and his presence at Barthanes party. Thom kills the king.
They try a Waygate outside a nearby stedding. In here they meet more Aiel, which is unusual as Aiel never leave the Waste. Mat tells Rand they are searching for him, as he is the only Aiel they know. Rand is not amused. Loial is nervous, as he doesn't have permission to be outside his own stedding. He meets a female Ogier, Erith, who he is attracted to. The Waygate outside is also blocked by Machin Shin. Then they try using a Portal Stone. Something goes wrong when traveling through this, enabling them all to experience many lives they could have led if circumstances had been different. In each of them, Rand is defeated, hearing the words "I have won again Lews Therin" as he dies. They arrive in Toman Head in autumn, having wasted time using the Portal Stone.
In Falme, Fain meets with the Seanchan High Lord Turak, claiming to be a descendant of men who kept their oaths to Artur Hawkwing. He gives him the chest with the Horn and dagger in, though he is only interested in the dagger. The High Lord opens it and intends to present it to the Empress. Bayle Domon is also taken to see him, as one of the Seanchan; Egeanin believes that his interest in the Age of Legends may prove interesting.
The girls head for Tar Valon, beginning lessons in the use of the Power on the journey. It becomes apparent that Nynaeve cannot channel unless she is angry, but when she does, she is very strong. Egwene starts having dreams of Rand, and one of the Aes Sedai, Anaiya suspects she may be a Dreamer. In Tar Valon, Egwene befriends Elayne and Min, and meets Elayne's brother Gawyn and half brother Galad, who Egwene is immediately attracted to. She also sees Logain, who looks utterly forlorn. Both Gawyn and Galad fall for Egwene. Nynaeve is raised immediately to Accepted. Passing three times through a ter'angreal that is perhaps connected to Tel'aran'rhiod, she first fights Aginor, before she is forced to abandon the Two Rivers then Lan, in order to prove her desire to be Aes Sedai.
Liandrin, comes to tell Egwene and Nynaeve that their friends are in danger and that they are needed to help them. They agree to go with her through the Ways, bringing Elayne and Min with them. When they come out of the Ways, they are met by a group of Seanchan and it becomes apparent that Liandrin is one of the Black Ajah. Nynaeve and Elayne escape but Egwene and Min are captured, Egwene having a collar round her neck that gives total control to another woman. She is told she is a damane and the woman her sul'dam.
Nynaeve and Elayne stay around to try and figure a way to rescue Egwene, Nynaeve eventually discovering a way to use the Power to remove the collars, which make her angry enough to channel just by looking at them. Nynaeve arranges with Bayle Domon to take them away from the area. They release one damane and capture her sul'dam by using the collar, much to the sul'dam's surprise. They then go to rescue Egwene.
Moiraine visits with two old Aes Sedai, Vandene and Adeleas, who she believes to know more about Dark Prophecy than anyone else. Whilst there, they are attacked by a Draghkar that is warded in some way so that Aes Sedai cannot detect it. They believe this means it was sent by one of the Black Ajah.
Mat, Rand, Perrin, Ingtar and Hurin enter Falme, to try and retrieve the dagger and the Horn, after Verin warns them that the Seanchan may sense a man channeling. They go to the house of the ruling Seanchan lord. Rand kills him, before they escape with the dagger and the Horn. Rand sees Egwene and decides he cannot leave her behind. Ingtar reveals that he is a Darkfriend, but wishes to return to the Light, and stays behind to prevent them being caught. They end up between two large armed groups, Whitecloaks, led by Geofram Bornhald and Seanchan. Mat blows the Horn to enable them to escape safely. The Heroes, led by Artur Hawkwing appear, claiming to know Rand and telling him they need the Dragon Banner to be able to fight. Perrin raises it and the Seanchan are driven back. Rand is involved in a fight of his own, against Ba'alzamon, visible in the sky, the pattern of their fight influencing the battle below. Eventually, Rand decides to let Ba'alzamon strike him, so that he can strike Ba'alzamon, who disappears.
Rand is severely wounded, and Min, Elayne and Egwene are drawn to him. Min keeps him warm, and is greeted by Lanfear, who tells her that Rand is hers.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:24 pm
~The Dragon Reborn~ Byar returns from Falme and tells Niall his beliefs about what occurred there, and of his hatred of Perrin. Niall tells Jaichim Carridin not to try and stop Rand as he hopes to make the people turn to him to protect them. Fain tells Niall similar stories to Byar. He persuades Niall that the Two Rivers is full of Darkfriends and he should send men there. Carridin is given new orders, from an unusual Myrddraal, to kill Rand.
Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve head back to Tar Valon with a severely ill Mat, who it seems only has hours to live, and Hurin. Nynaeve tries Healing him, but accomplishes nothing. On the way, they are confronted by Whitecloaks, led by Dain Bornhald. The girls disperse them using the Power, something which gains Verin's anger.
Once in the Tower, they are severely reprimanded by Siuan who sets punishments for them all for running away, to keep the link between them and the Black Ajah secret. She tells Elayne and Egwene that they are to be raised to the Accepted. She also sets Nynaeve and Egwene Black Ajah hunting, in the knowledge that she won't be blamed when Elayne is brought in on it. They are given a note from the Amyrlin, giving the permission to do almost anything. Verin tells Siuan about Mat blowing the Horn, Siuan tells her the two false Dragons were defeated at the moment Rand proclaimed himself.
Nynaeve brings Elayne in on the hunt at the first opportunity. Egwene and Nynaeve are attacked by a Gray Man who fires an arrow at them. Nynaeve captures the man using the Power, but finds him dead. Sheriam tells them to keep quite about it, and she later finds a second Gray Man in her bed. Elaida comes to question them about Rand.
Mat is healed of his link to the dagger, by a circle of thirteen Aes Sedai using a sa'angreal, in the process speaking in the Old Tongue and giving battle orders after he has a sort of flashback, to a battle in the Trolloc Wars. He is visited by Lanfear who tells him he is destined for glory, and Siuan, who he tries to avoid making any commitments with. He tries to leave, but is not allowed and sees Lanfear, masquerading as Else. She is abrupt with him. He defeats Gawyn and Galad together using only his quarterstaff.
Verin gives Egwene a ter'angreal that is linked to the World of Dreams, and does not require channeling, to help her discover if she is a Dreamer. Egwene is raised, her test for the Accepted involving abandoning Rand under various circumstances. She learns anyone who can channel can be turned to the Dark One by thirteen Myrddraal and thirteen Aes Sedai. The ter'angreal she goes through acts very unusually, and almost burns down, prompting Alanna to see Sheriam to ask for punishment, as she noticed something but kept quiet. Elayne's test was similarly hard for her.
The girls are given clues to the whereabouts of members of the Black Ajah who fled the Tower by Lanfear, posing as a novice. They realize it is probably a trap, but tell Siuan they are going to head for Tear and try to spring it.
Egwene uses the dream ter'angreal, and first sees Rand, who attacks her, then a woman calling herself Silvie in the Stone of Tear. The woman seems to think she knows Egwene and tells her to say Ba'alzamon is a fool. The woman sends her out of Tel’aran’rhiod to prevent Be'lal from discovering her.
The girls ask Mat if he will deliver a letter to Queen Morgase. Mat tells them he will do so, after first taunting them, if they can get him off the island, as the Amyrlin has told all the guards he is not to leave. They give him one of the notes from her, allowing the bearer to do whatever they wish.
The girls travel downstream on a boat, which runs aground. They go ahead on foot and encounter a group of Aiel, including Bain, Chiad and Aviendha, who reveal one of their numbers is severely injured. Nynaeve Heals her, and they set off again, before being captured by Darkfriends who wish to hand them over to a Myrddraal. They are freed by the Aiel, though they would have escaped on their own. Nynaeve uses balefire against the Myrddraal. The leader of the Aiel, Rhuarc, says they are going to Tear. The girls make their own way to Tear where they stay with a local healer, Mother Guenna. She enlists Juilin Sandar, a thief catcher, to help them find the Black Ajah, though of course he isn't told they are Black Ajah. He is not careful enough and Liandrin makes him reveal their location. The girls are captured, Egwene and Nynaeve are severely beaten, for refusing to give in.
Mat leaves the Tower and wanders round Tar Valon, gambling and winning every throw. He is attacked by Darkfriends posing as thieves but gets away from them. He meets Thom, who is drunk and persuades him to go to Caemlyn with him, Thom agreeing as Caemlyn is dangerous for him and he is looking for danger after his girlfriend's death. They are attacked by Darkfriends on the ship they board. After getting off, they spend a night in a stable, where Mat rescues Aludra, an Illuminator. Out of gratitude, she gives him some fireworks. He messes with one to try to find out how it works, and throws it in the fire. They are attacked by Darkfriends again on the way to Caemlyn, Thom killing a woman, which displeases Mat.
They go to Caemlyn, again staying at Basel Gill's inn. The guard on the palace gate refuses to let Mat in, even threatening to have him arrested as a Darkfriend when he reveals he has come from the Tower, so he goes over the wall like Rand had done previously. He over hears two men discussing a plan to kill Elayne, before being taken before Morgase and her lover Gaebril, who was one of the men. He meets Tallanvor, another member of the palace guard who takes him to the Queen. He gives her the letter then sets off for Tear, to help out Elayne and Egwene.
Mat arrives in Tear and comes across Lord Comar, who he had heard being told to kill Elayne by Rahvin, in an inn. They fight and Comar is killed before Mat can learn anything. He meets Mother Guenna, who tells him of the girls capture. Leaving a sick Thom behind, he heads off to try and break into the Stone. He is accosted by Aiel including Gaul and Rhuarc on the rooftops, but once he makes it clear he has no plans to interfere with them, they agree to leave him alone. He meets Juilin, who had been having second thoughts about what he did. They agree to work together. Mat accidentally blows a hole in the wall with fireworks when trying to create a diversion, and enters, fighting defenders of the Stone and nobles. On his way he and Juilin fight High Lord Darlin, who says he intends to watch as the skin is stripped from their bodies.
At the camp of the Dragon Reborn, Rand has spent the winter arguing with Moiraine. He accidentally damages the camp when he draws to much of saidin and has to release it randomly. A Tuatha'an comes with news for Moiraine. Perrin sees Lanfear and Ba'alzamon in the World of Dreams, they both talk to him. He also witnesses an argument between three of the Forsaken. Whilst he is asleep, he is warned by wolves that Trollocs and Myrddraal are attacking. Rand is powerless to help, but they are killed anyway. Masema takes the aid of wolves as a sign that he should go and recruit for the Dragon Reborn. The Tuatha'an is killed.
Rand sets off on his own to Tear, without telling anyone. On the way, he kills a group of people who come to join him at the camp fire. These include a woman and a Gray Man. He also continues to be plagued by dreams and almost kills Egwene in one, when he mistakes her for a dream creation.
Moiraine realizes that Rand has gone to Tear to try and seize Callandor when many of the people with them reveal having dreamed of glowing swords and red stone columns. Moiraine, Lan, Perrin and Loial follow, the Shienarans being injured. One of them, Masema, decides he should go into the world and proclaim the coming of the Dragon. Min goes to Tar Valon. Chasing after Rand, they encounter villages where strange things have been happening mass weddings, insanity and others - a sign of Rand's being ta'veren.
Perrin comes across a man who could talk to wolves, but who has lost the human side of him. He again enters Tel'aran'rhiod, where he meets Hopper, a dead wolf. They learn of Masema stirring up trouble in Ghealdan. He also meets two Hunters of the Horn, and a captured Aiel, Gaul who he frees as children are throwing stones at him. He tells Gaul he is off to Tear, and Gaul announces he is going too, though not with them. They kill some Whitecloaks, before fleeing the village, along with a young woman who decides to call herself Faile, who keeps staring at him. She is also a Hunter and believes they make a strange trail which Hunters should follow. Perrin again sees Ba'alzamon and Lanfear in Tel'aran'rhiod, and tells Moiraine they are free. Rand sees him and attacks him.
They travel through Illian, where they learn Sammael rules. They are attacked by Gray Men in an inn before Sammael sends Darkhounds after them, which Moiraine kills with balefire. They then head on to Tear, where they learn Berelain has given in to Tear's demands. Perrin finds himself growing uncomfortable around Faile. She springs a trap meant for Moiraine, and is caught in Tel'aran'rhiod, the World of Dreams. Perrin's wolf abilities means he can enter this world, so he does so to free her. Moiraine and Lan head for the Stone to help Rand.
Egwene enters Tel'aran'rhiod, where she meets two of the Black Ajah, stilling one and shielding the other, leaving them trapped in Tel’aran’rhiod. The girls, however, remain shielded in the real world. Mat opens the cell and they are free. They knock out the Black Ajah sister and the shield disappears.
Rand enters the Heart of the Stone, where Be’lal tells him to take Callandor. They fight, with Be'lal forcing him in toward it. Moiraine enters and kills Be'lal, again using balefire. Rand is attacked by Ba'alzamon who almost kills him before he takes Callandor, chasing Ba'alzamon and killing him, this time leaving a body, which many people take for the Dark One until Moiraine points out how stupid that is. The Defenders of the Stone, who had been fighting Aiel, fall to their feet to proclaim him the Dragon Reborn. Berelain brings Rand a message from Lanfear.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:29 pm
~The Shadow Rising~
Min arrives in the Tower where she tells Siuan and Leane that Rand has gone after Callandor and that she has had a viewing that many in the Tower will die in battle on the same day. She is recognized by Gawyn, but not Galad. Neither believe Elayne and Egwene are safe. Elaida and Alviarin begin plotting together. Siuan convinces Min to stay and look for the Black Ajah. She dresses girly and calls herself Elmindreda. Siuan receives word from Moiraine that Rand has taken the Stone and tells the Aes Sedai that the Dragon has been Reborn.
Elaida organizes a coup with Alviarin's help and overthrows Siuan, proclaiming herself Amyrlin. Siuan and Leane are stilled and imprisoned before being rescued by Min, with the help of the Mistress of the Kitchens, Laras. They are let out of the Tower by Gawyn, who had organized the resistance when those loyal to Siuan tried to free her. They are joined by Logain, who Min insists is important in some way. Siuan promises to help him get his revenge.
Rand is attacked in his room by his own reflection, scaring Berelain who was all over him at the time. Perrin is attacked by his axe and Mat by a playing card. Moiraine claims that this is due to "bubbles of evil" rising from the Dark One, and that although they are only going to have an effect around ta'veren at first, they will eventually become common.
The girls question the two captured members of the Black Ajah, both of who claim to be willing to help them. They are told of a plot to rescue Mazrim Taim, and to blame his activities on Rand and also of an object in Tanchico which can be used to control Rand.
Elayne and Egwene try to teach Rand about channeling, but all he is able learn is that he can sense when women channel. Egwene is surprised to learn Rand is far stronger than she is. He and Egwene tell each other that they don't love each other anymore, giving Elayne the chance to move in on him.
Mat asks Egwene for advice and she tells him about a ter'angreal which will grant three answers to any who enter. He claims to not be interested, but goes anyway.
Lanfear visits Rand in his room, and whilst talking to him he is attacked by a Gray Man. The Stone is attacked by Trollocs and Myrddraal, which Rand eventually kills using Callandor. After this, the members of the Black Ajah are found dead in their cells.
Perrin looks for rumors to take Faile away from all the danger and hears that Whitecloaks have taken over the Two Rivers and are looking for a yellow eyed Darkfriend. He decides to go there and give himself up to be hanged to free everyone. He tries to put Faile off going with him. Faile and Berelain fight, Berelain promising to take Perrin away from her until she gets bored. Rhuarc splits them up and punishes Berelain. Perrin gets Loial to take him through the Ways, though Loial and Faile have an agreement that he must take her. They are accompanied by three Aiel.
Mat enters the ter'angreal that takes him to the realm of the Aelfinn and is supposed to give him true answers to any question he asks, but those answers, that he is to die and live again, that he must go to Rhuidean and that he is destined to marry the Daughter of the Nine Moons leave him less happy than ever. The place through the doorway starts shaking and he is forced out. When he leaves it, he meets Moiraine and Rand, also leaving.
Thom stays in the Stone, plotting against the High Lords that are against Rand, and advising him. Moiraine doesn't like this, so promises to give him the names of the Red Ajah responsible for illegally gentling his nephew Owyn if he will go to Tanchico with the girls.
Egwene enters the World of Dreams without the ter'angreal for the first time, where she meets Amys who says if she wants to learn, Egwene must come to the Waste. She also goes to Tanchico, which Amys says contains an evil worse than men can make, whatever that means.
Rand calls a meeting, where he tells all the Tairen Lords that they must trade with Illian and restore order to Cairhien, which is under civil war. He sends the Tairen Lords who are plotting against him most to deal with it. He says he is going away and drives Callandor back into the Heart of the Stone. He then tells Mat and Moiraine that he is going to Rhuidean in the Aiel Waste.
Rand and the Aiel, together with Mat, Egwene, Moiraine and Lan go directly to the Waste using a Portal Stone, which Rand requires an angreal to use. They arrive next to a city, Rhuidean.
Perrin and company are attacked by Trollocs in the ways and only just escape Machin Shin, which gets the Trollocs. In the Two Rivers, Perrin shuts the Waygate so it is possible only to open it from the outside. He discovers someone is killing the wildlife. In dreams he chases the man responsible for killing the wildlife, called Slayer, who disappears through the Tower of Ghenjei, which leads to the worlds of the Aelfinn and Eelfinn. Here, he meets Birgitte, one of the heroes of legend who warns him that Slayer is dangerous and that he is in the World of Dreams physically.
He learns his family has all been killed, by Padan Fain, though Trollocs have been blamed. Perrin decides against giving himself up to the Whitecloaks and instead to rescue people from them. Padan Fain has linked up with the Whitecloaks. Bornhald does not trust Fain, as Whitecloaks sent to accompany him tend to die. Fain has killed two Gray Men sent after him and is keeping a Myrddraal prisoner in his tent.
Perrin learns that two Aes Sedai, Alanna and Verin, are in the area, ostensibly to look for recruits. He meets several families and convinces them to move to the village for their own safety, he also meets a man calling himself Lord Luc, who he distrusts, though the others think highly of him. Some of the young men agree to go with him to free the Whitecloaks prisoners. After doing so, he goes hunting Trollocs. After initial success, they are ambushed and many of the men with him are killed. Perrin is severely injured. They spend the night with the Tuatha'an before returning to Emond's Field where Alanna Heals him. Faile tells Perrin about her father, Davram Bashere. Perrin talks to Slayer in dreams and realizes how much he resembles Lan. Loial and Gaul go to shut the Waygate permanently, which Slayer has told Perrin is open again.
Trollocs mount an attack on the village which is overcome. They also attack a group of Tuatha'an, who agree to come into the village for safety. When they return to the village, they see a wolf’s head and Manetheren banner. The Aes Sedai are behind this. One of the Tuatha’an, Aram, picks up a sword and asks to be taught to use it. Perrin agrees. Whitecloaks arrive to arrest Perrin on charges of being a Darkfriend. Perrin agrees to go with them if they stay and help defend the village against the Shadowspawn. The men and women of the village start coming to him for instructions.
In Tel'aran'rhiod, Perrin shoots Slayer before returning to the real world. Lord Luc runs through the house injured. Perrin realizes that Slayer and Luc have a similar smell and decides he is to be arrested if he reappears.
Perrin sends Faile off to tell the Queen what went on, though in reality he just wants her safely out of the way. She agrees on the condition that he marries her. They get married. The village is almost overrun, by Trollocs chanting "Isam" but is rescued by men from the other Two Rivers villages, one village brought by Faile, with no help from the Whitecloaks. People start referring to him as Lord Perrin, which doesn't please him.
The girls with Thom and Juilin set off for Tanchico on a Sea Folk ship, which only agrees to take them as they believe they are serving Rand. Elayne believes that she knows Thom. The Windfinder teaches Elayne much about controlling the weather.
The girls arrive in Tanchico, where they again meet Bayle Domon, who agrees to help them look for the women they are seeking. Elayne gets drunk and makes Thom tell the truth about himself. They also encounter a Seanchan captain, Egeanin, who has stayed on looking for escaped sul'dam. She is paying Floran Gelb to look for them. When he mistakenly goes after Nynaeve, she stops him. She is interested in Aes Sedai and the Power. She attacks Domon when they meet, for which they blame him. Egeanin releases the captured sul'dam.
After using the Power, they are visited by Moghedien, who uses Compulsion to makes them reveal their plans. She tells them to forget about the visit and leaves them alone as she doesn't believe they will interfere with her. They locate the Black Ajah, and enter the World of Dreams to check if it is safe. They also locate the object of danger to Rand, using a method taught them by the Wise Ones. Nynaeve sees the Black Ajah holding the Panarch hostage before seeing Moghedien and remembering their encounter. She is prevented from attacking her by Birgitte. Slayer attacks Nynaeve in Tel’aran’rhiod.
They head for the palace, with Egeanin, where Elayne goes to rescue the ruler of Tarabon, the Panarch, from Temaile and Nynaeve to find the object to hurt Rand. She finds some bracelets, and is disturbed by Moghedien who tells her the bracelets can be used to control men who can channel. They battle with the Power, and are evenly matched until Nynaeve throws the bracelets at her and shields and ties up Moghedien. She retrieves the bracelets and one of the seals, and is attacked by one of the Black Ajah using a ter'angreal that produces balefire. When this stops, Moghedien has escaped. The girls then leave the building.
Rand asks the Wise Ones permission to enter Rhuidean, which is granted, as does Mat. He is refused permission, but when Rand tells them he is going whether they allow it or not, they relent. Couladin attacks them, and is stopped by Melaine and Amys using the Power, to Moiraine's surprise.
They leave all their weapons and head to the city, which is surrounded by a strange fog which cannot be penetrated in Tel’aran’rhiod. In the center of Rhuidean, Rand enters a crystal ter'angreal, where he starts to see visions of Aiel long dead, including most of the important events from their history and learns the truth most Aiel don't know, that once they followed the Way of the Leaf - indeed this is what Aiel, which is “dedicated” in the Old Tongue, means - and that the Tuatha’an are descended from the same people in the Age of Legends. He sees Couladin's first-brother Muradin apparently dying.
Mat enters a separate ter'angreal, this time to the land of the fox heads (Eelfinn), in the belief this will also allow him to ask questions. Instead, he is given gifts, to requests he makes. These are memories of dead lords, soldiers and generals, to fill up holes in his memory from when he had the dagger, an amulet to protect him from Aes Sedai and the One Power, and the ashandarei, which is like a spear, but with a more sword like blade on the end. He also gains the ability to fully understand and speak the Old Tongue. The people behind the doorway leave him hanging from the Tree of Life. Rand resuscitates Mat when Rand leaves his ter'angreal. They make their way out of Rhuidean overcoming another "bubble of evil" on the way.
They arrive at the camp outside at dawn and Rand reveals dragons on both arms, showing him to be the Car'a'carn. Couladin attacks him and is threatened with being outlawed. He learns Moiraine has also gone as has Aviendha and they have been gone seven days. He also learns of his mother and how she became a Maiden of the Spear. She is obviously Tigraine, though Rand doesn't realize it. He learns how his real father died, killed by a man who looked like his mother.
Rand and Mat journey with the Aiel to Al'cair Dal following Couladin who has said the Shaido will not accept Rand. Rand is accompanied by Aviendha, who claims to dislike Rand because he has treated Elayne badly. Despite this, she is told by the Wise Ones to teach him Aiel ways, which she does.
They stop off at Cold Rocks Hold, which is where Rhuarc lives. Couladin asks to enter as a clan chief but is welcomed as a beggar. Rand gives Aviendha a bracelet as a thank you and to try and pacify her, which her friends think means he is trying to attract her attention, they approve of him. Lanfear appears in his dreams and argues with Asmodean. Aviendha accidentally reveals that the Wise Ones are watching Rand through his dreams. They are attacked by Trollocs and other Shadowspawn. One of the Wise Ones, Seana, is killed by a Draghkar. They are joined by a group of peddlers, who Rand knows to be Darkfriends. Couladin heads for Al'cair Dal, causing Rand to go earlier than he wished.
At Al'cair Dal, Rand announces that the Maidens carry his honor, which pleases them greatly. He and Couladin both announce they are the Car'a'carn. Both have dragons on their arms. Rand is accepted only after revealing the secret of the Aiel's history. He confronts Lanfear who was masquerading as one of the peddlers. She tells him that Asmodean has gone to Rhuidean in search of something useful. Rand Skims after Asmodean to Rhuidean where the battle with the Power beside the Tree of Life, after grabbing a ter'angreal that links them both to the giant sa'angreal outside Cairhien. Rand cuts him off from the Dark One and Lanfear shields him partially so he will not escape. She almost kills Asmodean when he accidentally calls her by her original name, who Rand recognizes as one of the Aes Sedai who created the bore in the Dark One's prison. Asmodean agrees to teach Rand to channel as the other Forsaken will turn on him if they get the chance. A great lake is created in Rhuidean, the fog having been dispersed.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:31 pm
~The Fires of Heaven~
In the Tower, Elaida is struggling to hold on to power and her advisors are struggling to cope with the idea of Rand. Fain is counseling Elaida. He steals the Shadar Logoth dagger back before leaving the Tower, only escaping Alviarin by bluffing her that he stands high as a Darkfriend. Rahvin is visited by Lanfear, Sammael and Graendal and they make plans to get Rand. Morgase flees Gaebril after he shames her in front of others. She takes Lini, Tallanvor, Basel Gill and Lamgwin with her. Breane goes with Lamgwin.
In Rhuidean, Rand is living under the roof of the Maidens, the first man ever allowed under it. Moiraine loads the ter'angreal there onto wagons. Rand discusses plans with the clan chiefs, where he learns of what is known as the bleakness.
Egwene and Moiraine start ganging up on him and he begins to have Lews Therin's memories. Moiraine finds another of the seals, which is extremely fragile. Mat picks up a woman, Melindhra, a Shaido, who has come to join the Maidens. Isendre irritates Aviendha and the Maidens by her continual attempts to bed Rand. Melaine decides to wed Bael, chief of her clan. Moiraine argues with the Wise Ones about Rand's plans to take them out of the Waste.
Rand and the Aiel are attacked by Shadowspawn including Darkhounds. Rand destroys the Darkhounds with balefire. Rand kills a Darkhound attacking Mat with balefire. Moiraine Heals him after he removes his amulet, and tells Rand balefire is dangerous. Rand agrees not to use it unless he must. The sense of trust between them breaks down so much that Moiraine agrees to obey Rand and to not try manipulating him. Rand is once more visited by Lanfear, who tells him that Rahvin has Morgase.
The Shaido leave the Waste, forcing Rand to follow. Trollocs attack again. They leave the Waste and see a town that has been attacked. One of the survivors says it was a message to Rand, from Couladin. They learn Couladin had been taking Wetlanders as gai'shain.
Aviendha gives Rand Laman's sword to even out the bracelet he had previously given her. He discovers it was made with the Power, so gives her the hilt and scabbard back, which are jewel encrusted and useless. She makes a huge profit. Trollocs and Darkfriends attack again; Rand believes it is Sammael, trying to goad him as he remembers him doing it in the Age of Legends, which frightens Asmodean. Rand tells the clan chiefs he will hang anyone who murders or burns anything, even in Cairhien.
Egwene sees Elayne and Birgitte in Tel'aran'rhiod, Moghedien tries to trap her there, but she escapes. Kadere murders Isendre when she refuses to continue to try and bed Rand because of her fear of the Maidens.
They move on to Cairhien, which is under siege by the Shaido. A week away from it, they meet lordlings from Tear who Rand had sent north as well as Cairhienin soldiers. They tell him Couladin has the city under siege.
Rand accidentally catches Aviendha naked after taking a bath. Aiel are a little odd about these things, so she flees, using the Power to Travel. Rand follows her to a winter landscape, holding her gateway open and eventually catches up with her unconscious. Removing his clothes as well, to keep her warm, they consummate their relationship. The following morning, they come across a Seanchan patrol outside the gateway, which is now invisible. They shield and bind them and head through, and as Rand lets the doorway dissolve, a spear is thrown through, which he decides to keep.
Rand decides to attack the Shaido after coming up with a plan with the clan chiefs, Mat also comes up with the same plan after studying the map for a minute. Mat decides to leave for safety and heads south, where he sees a group of soldiers about to wander into an Aiel ambush. He goes to simply warn them, but ends up leading them throughout the battle. He also kills Couladin. Other Aiel who have not agreed to follow Rand hang back and watch.
Rand uses the One Power to influence the battle, aided by Aviendha and Egwene. Sammael (probably) tries to interfere. They eventually drive the Shaido from Cairhien, leaving Rand completely exhausted. The other Aiel apart from the Shaido send their Wise Ones to discuss joining with Rand. Rand enters Cairhien, seeing siswai’aman for the first time. Tairen High Lords, and Cairhienin Lords swear fealty to him. Weiramon arrives from Tear.
Colavaere sends young women, including Selande, to try and bed Rand. He puts a stop to it when he claims to prefer more mature women and Aviendha beats her for trying to get near him. Berelain joins him in Cairhien. Moiraine brings letters from the Tower, from Elaida and Alviarin. Alviarin's tells him how wonderful he is.
Mat hears of Morgase's supposed death and tells Rand, who resolves to kill Rahvin. Moiraine first takes him to the docks where they meet Lanfear, who is in a rage because she has been told by Kadere that Rand has been bedding Aviendha for months. She kills Kadere, then attacks Aviendha and Egwene, who are saved by Rand. She decides to kill him when he says he will never love her.
He cannot bring himself to kill Lanfear. Instead, Morgase takes Lanfear through the doorway into the realms of the Eelfinn, which melts, severing her bond with Lan, who is compelled to go east. Rand learns in a letter that Moiraine knew what was to happen. Mat is attacked by Melindhra, who is a Darkfriend, when he reveals he is off to Tear to lead the assault on Illian. He accidentally kills her.
That afternoon, Rand Skims to Caemlyn without Egwene, who is too injured. They are immediately attacked by Rahvin, killing Aviendha, Mat and Asmodean. Rand chases him into the World of Dreams.
Siuan, Leane and Min are arrested by Gareth Bryne after Logain burns down a barn. Leane practices her flirting on Bryne. Giving false names, they swear to work off they debt, but decide sneak off at the first opportunity as they never said when they would repay the debt. Logain rescues them anyway, showing concern for the man he injures in the process. Bryne follows them because of Siuan's eyes.
They discover the Aes Sedai opposing Elaida have gathered in Salidar. They pretend to barely be able to tolerate each other and convince those in charge of who they are and manipulate them into choosing their own Hall and Amyrlin. Siuan is allowed to run the spy network, and tells them Logain was set up by the Red Ajah. After being captured, Bryne agrees to build an army to take Tar Valon on his own terms. Siuan is set to work for him.
Elayne, Nynaeve, Thom and Juilin leave Tarabon to return to Tear, but come across a woman, Ronde Macura who drugs them to prevent them from chaneling and ties them up. She says there is a message "All sisters are welcome to return to the Tower. The Tower must be whole and strong". Thom and Juilin rescue them. They realize the Tower has split and set out to find the rebels. Elayne is all over Thom like a rash. Nynaeve and Egwene discover that Elaida is Amyrlin. Egwene chastises Nynaeve in Tel'aran'rhiod to cover up herself. They meet Galad.
They head into Ghealdan where they join a traveling circus and act as performers. Here, they take an a'dam from a Seanchan woman, Elayne saying she thinks she could make one. They meet up with the Shienarans they left in Falme.
Moghedien takes over the Black Ajah who left the Tower, giving them different tasks and splitting them up. Liandrin tries to use Compulsion on her, but she isn't quick enough or strong enough and fails. Moghedien leaves her shielded in such a way that she is never likely to channel again. She uses Compulsion to make sure she doesn't give up though. The other Black sisters are sent off with various tasks.
Birgitte takes Nynaeve to spy on Moghedien and other Forsaken in Tel'aran'rhiod. Moghedien spots them and follows. They overcome her, Birgitte shooting her, but Birgitte herself is severely wounded. Birgitte appears in body in the real world, and Elayne bonds her as a Warder to save her life. Moghedien has one of the Black Ajah Heal her and Liandrin fails to persuade the remaining Black Ajah to gang up on her.
They learn the rebels are in Salidar, and arrange with both Galad and Masema for a boat to take them out of Ghealdan, which results in conflict between the Prophet's mobs and Whitecloaks, of which Galad is one. They flee to Salidar with Uno and the Shienarans, where they are accompanied by three women, Moghedien, posing as Marigan, Nicola and Areina. Min tells Elayne she loves Rand. The leaders in Salidar decide to talk to Moiraine through Egwene and the Wise Ones. Siuan also forces Nynaeve to teach her about the World of Dreams. Nynaeve makes Siuan agree to let her study being stilled.
Moghedien almost captures Nynaeve in the World of Dreams, but Nynaeve tricks her and captures her with an a'dam. Nynaeve makes her take them to Caemlyn, to try and help Rand. She sees Rahvin and encases him in a sheet of fire, almost killing him, before Rand does kill him, with balefire. Nynaeve tells Moghedien she knows where she is and that she's coming to get her.
Aviendha, Mat and Asmodean are alive again because Rahvin was killed with balefire, but Asmodean is killed a short while later. Rand meets Davram Bashere who had been hunting Mazrim Taim. Rand tells him Taim is off limits and there is an amnesty for men who want to channel.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:33 pm
~Lord of Chaos~
Nynaeve probes Siuan. She senses something cut. They learn Siuan can sense Moghedien through an a'dam, though she can't make her feel anything or touch saidar. Elayne has made an a’dam without the chain, which they can use on Moghedien in her Marigan disguise without arousing suspicion. An embassy is sent to Caemlyn to deal with Rand, Min goes with them. Perrin senses Rand needing him and sets off to find him, with two hundred Two Rivers men. While arranging a meeting with the Aiel, a peddler tells Gawyn that Morgase is dead, killed by the Dragon Reborn. Aginor and Balthamel wake with new bodies and are told by Shaidar Haran that they are now called Osan'gar and Aran'gar. Aran’gar is female, which pleases her not. Demandred receives instructions from the the Dark One in Shayol Ghul. Demandred, Graendal, Semirhage and Mesaana make plans. Sammael and Graendal taunt each other. Semirhage tortures an Aes Sedai.
In Amador, Morgase tries to get help from King Ailron. Pedron Niall says she should use the Whitecloaks. When she sees Paitr Conel, an Andoran who was helping her escape, hanged for being a Darkfriend, she believes that this was just an excuse and the help he was giving her was the real reason. She gives in and signs a treaty allowing the Whitecloaks access to Andor.
Elayne has been making new dream ter'angreal, and been teaching Sheriam's circle about Tel'aran'rhiod. They go to the White Tower to read reports on what Elaida is doing. The Aes Sedai fall into a nightmare, from which Elayne and Siuan are forced to rescue them, not that any believe Elayne went in deliberately. Elayne visits Andor, where she is seen by Demandred.
An ambassador from the White Tower arrives. To put her off, she is told more time is needed before a decision can be made. Nynaeve overhears this and looks in dreams using need for an object to force them to help Rand. After first been taken to the Tower, they then go to Ebou Dar where they find a bowl-shaped ter'angreal that Elayne believes will fix the weather.
Theodrin gets Nynaeve drunk to try and clear her block. Angry about this and other things, Nynaeve accidentally Heals Logain. She repeats the process on Siuan and Leane, though they are only partly Healed. The Yellows are surprised by her use of all Five Powers. They grab her and make her demonstrate it repeatedly. Leane and Siuan visit her later to ask her to try again because their low strength means they will not be very influential. Aran’gar arrives and stays with Delana.
In Caemlyn, Rand practices the sword with any who'll fight him in front of sycophantic nobles. Bashere tries to stab him, to make the point that Rand doesn't need to use a sword and is prevented only by Rand's quick actions.
Mazrim Taim arrives in Caemlyn and claims to want a compact between them, but agrees to merely serve when Rand refuses. Rand wonders about his sanity and realizes he doesn't like him. He gives Rand one of the seals, which Lews Therin's voice insists that he destroy. They travel to a nearby farm where there are candidates to learn channeling. The first one tested, Damer Flinn, is capable. Rand learns that several of the High Lords of Tear are now rebelling against him.
Mat sees two men attacking a small boy. He beats them and takes the boy, Olver. He starts preparations to go to Illian.
Bael and Bashere take Rand to an inn, where Verin and Alanna are staying with several Two Rivers girls on their way to be Aes Sedai. Alanna bonds him as her Warder. She tries to use this to make him obey her, but is unable and he shields both of them. He frightens the girls when he tells the he is the Dragon Reborn. He gives Taim permission to go looking for new recruits.
Egwene gets drawn into Gawyn's dream while supposedly keeping away from the World of Dreams. She learns this can only happen with emotion so strong it leaves no room for much else. She realizes that she loves him. The higher ranked Andoran lords visit Rand. Dyelin tells him about Tigraine and he finally realizes Tigraine was his mother. They threaten to rise against him if he tries to keep the throne. Sammael offers a truce, which Rand refuses, though Sammael claims he accepts and uses this to gain some control over Graendal. Rand Travels to Cairhien.
Rand sets Berelain to running the city. The Wise Ones take to her, to Egwene's confusion. She is allowing noblewomen to form societies based on the Maidens. Rand visits a school he has set up, where people are inventing all sorts of things. He talks to Herid Fel about Warders and the seals. On his return, Egwene asks for help with the Wise Ones. He refuses.
Ogier arrive and ask about Loial. He convinces them to tell him where the Waygates are. They go to Shadar Logoth to place a trap for Shadowspawn round the Waygate there. Sulin talks to one of the gai’shain as though she is still a Maiden and becomes a servant to make up for it. One of the Maidens, Liah, disappears. They spend the rest of the day looking for her before Rand Travels to the Two Rivers where he leaves the Ogier.
Vanin finds murdered Tinkers. That night, one of the Forsaken drops Aiel into Mat's camp, but they are killed before they can seriously harm him. Mat gives Olver a job, carrying messages, mostly as an excuse to keep him around and ensure he is fed and looked after.
Egwene goes into Cairhien and sees the Tower embassy. She also meets Gawyn, who is convinced Rand murdered Morgase. She makes him promise not to harm Rand. They reveal that they love each other, and Egwene says she'll bond him as her Warder.
Whitecloaks try to kill Rand, killing one of the Maidens instead. Rand hangs them, but sends one to Pedron Niall, to tell him that he will hang for it. Egwene goes to Rand to try and tell him how to behave with the Aes Sedai. They arrive while he is still there so he hides her. He tells them he can feel the when they embrace saidar, though Galina doesn't believe he can sense it. Later, Rand senses a Gray Man and holds him in Air. Taim arrives and kills it. He tells Rand that a student, Narishma, has the spark, and would channel without being taught. Rand is sent a letter from Queen Alliandre, which is very friendly.
In Tel'aran'rhiod, Egwene is summoned to Salidar while Rand watches secretly. She enters in the flesh and goes in one night, after first having the Wise Ones beat her for lying to them. When she arrives she is told she is to be Amyrlin. After a little opposition, mostly formalities and Sitters trying to show they won't be pushovers, the Hall agrees. As her first decree, she raises Nynaeve, Elayne, Faolain and Theodrin to full Aes Sedai. Rand sends Mat and the Band to Salidar to fetch Elayne. Aviendha goes with them to make up toh to Elayne. Lan arrives in Salidar in secret.
Egwene is told about Moghedien and agrees they can learn from her. She says there will be no more putting people out of the Tower and that anyone will be allowed to enter if she can. Egwene learns from Moghedien how to Travel, though she suspected how to anyway.
Mat arrives and Egwene uses the presence of the Band to force them to move towards Tar Valon. Elayne and Nynaeve go to Ebou Dar, with Mat, who has promised Rand that he will stay with her. Aviendha tells Elayne of her and Rand and offers to let Elayne beat or stab her. Elayne decides that she doesn't want to. On the way, Elayne goes out of her way to irritate Mat. The girls move into the palace, Mat into an inn, run by Setalle Anan.
Min and the Salidar embassy arrive in Caemlyn and she goes straight to Rand. She sees Melaine and reveals that she is to have twin daughters. Min gives her opinions on the Aes Sedai with her. Rand goes to warn Taim away from them. He tells the students that they are to be known as Asha'man.
Perrin arrives and talks to Bashere who is very much annoyed about Faile's marriage. He threatens to take her away, and Perrin threatens him in turn. He stands up to Deira, Bashere's wife and they decide that Faile is old enough to marry. Perrin makes Faile promise not to spy on Rand. One of the Aes Sedai in the embassy is attacked by Aiel. They go to tell Rand that it is unacceptable and that they will do as they wish from then on. He has no idea what they are talking about and tells them things will remain and they are to show respect. He dismisses them. Bera and Kiruna arrive and take control. This takes the number to thirteen, the number traditionally used to gentle men. Rand flees to Cairhien, taking Min, Perrin and Loial. He tells Merana to follow with no more than five others. Bera and Kiruna ignore this, taking nine.
In Cairhien, Rand tries to put the Tower embassy off while Berelain stalks Perrin. Eventually they grow tired and kidnap Rand, claiming that Rand has gone and they are fed up of waiting. When Dobraine reveals Meilan and Maringil have been murdered, probably on Colavaere's orders, and Berelain reveals Rand has left his sword, Perrin realizes that the Aes Sedai have taken him and resolves to get him back. Sulin stops acting as a servant.
The Aes Sedai punish Rand for trying to escape and killing Warders when he saw Min. Sevanna visits to discuss her arrangement with the Aes Sedai. She has her Wise Ones kill one who it is against her to blame on the Aes Sedai so the Shaido will fight them. Perrin takes Maidens, siswai’aman and Wise Ones with him. On the way, he talks to wolves, who are furious to learn of Rand's capture. Sulin and another Maiden, Nandera, fight for leadership of the Maidens, Sorilea and Amys talk to discuss leadership of the Wise Ones. They are joined by the Two Rivers men and the Aes Sedai from Caemlyn.
They catch up with the Tower Aes Sedai who are besieged by the Shaido. They charge, led by Perrin. Taim and the Asha'man arrive through gateways. In the confusion, Rand breaks through the shield on him, stilling the three still holding it. He wanders around shielding and knocking unconscious any Aes Sedai he sees, Gawyn escapes. The area is secured and the Shaido dispersed by the Asha'man who simply butcher them. Taim forces the Salidar Aes Sedai to swear fealty to Rand as punishment for bringing more than six.
Egwene releases Logain, who goes to join Rand. Moghedien is released by Aran’gar and goes to Shayol Ghul. Herid Fel is killed by a gholam.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:34 pm
~A Crown of Swords~
Under the impression there will be at most two or three man who can channel, Elaida sends fifty Red sisters led by Toveine to the Black Tower to gentle any men learning to channel. She believes that raising Egwene means the Aes Sedai in Salidar will return to her. She has secret plans working among the rebels. In Alviarin's presence she has a Foretelling that the Tower will be whole again and the Black Tower rent. Mesaana teaches Alviarin Traveling.
Sevanna with the strongest of the Wise Ones who can channel prepares to attack those holding Rand. They attack and are driven back. Sevanna and her Wise Ones summon Sammael who arrives with Graendal. Moridin (probably) watches. Therava brings Galina, who has been captured and is named da'tsang. Sammael brings them an Oath Rod. He gives them something he claims will let them Travel. They use it and it spreads them everywhere. Sevanna takes the Wise Ones to herself. Shaidar Haran watches.
Morgase urges Niall to help her take Andor back as soon as possible. He learns of the Seanchan. He is murdered before he can tell anyone. Valda takes control and pressures Morgase into sex. The Seanchan attack. She is taken to Suroth, who she annoys by calling by her first name. She renounces the throne and High Seat of House Trakand. She is prevented from suicide by Lini. Balwer takes them away.
Rand gives the Aes Sedai into the care of the Wise Ones, to Taim's displeasure. He takes Asha'man bodyguards. They Travel to outside Cairhien then walk the rest of the way. They are told that Colavaere has taken the throne. Faile and Berelain are both acting as Colavaere's attendants. It is revealed that Colavaere had Meilan and Maringil murdered. Instead of sentencing her to death, Rand strips her of her titles and exiles her to a farm. She commits suicide. He learns Aes Sedai are in Cairhien.
Rand goes to Caemlyn, hoping to find Elayne and learns Caraline Damodred and Toram Riatin are setting up in opposition to him. He learns there are nine Aes Sedai known to be in Caemlyn. He leaves Morr there. Rand sets the army gathered in Tear off to Illian with two of the Asha'man, Hopwil and Adley.
Back in Cairhien, he tries to send Berelain back to Mayene after an assassination attempt. Cadsuane arrives and tries to provoke him, asking if he's started hearing voices. Idrien arrives from the school and tells him of Fel's death. Rand tells Min of this and they comfort each other.
Perrin and Rand fight over the Aes Sedai prisoners, to give Rand the excuse to send him away, though in reality he goes to Ghealdan with Grady, Neald, Masuri and Seonid as well as Wise Ones. Loial goes with one of the Asha'man, Karldin to visit the stedding and guard the Ways.
Rand convinces himself that he raped Min and withdraws completely. She brings him out of it and makes him see sense. They say they love each other. She tells of a viewing of Rand and another man merging and one of them dies. He goes to meet the Sea Folk, taking Bera, Alanna, Rafela, Faeldrin and Merana, telling them Merana is in charge. Min sees they will be loyal to him. His ta'vereness helps, with the Sea Folk giving away much. He leaves Merana and Rafela to negotiate and goes alone with Min to deal with the rebelling nobles.
Caraline recognizes Rand but says nothing. His ta'veren effect works on her and Darlin, who reveals he would be happy to support Rand, but feels he no longer has a choice. Cadsuane and several other sisters are in the camp as is Fain, with Daved Hanlon and Toram Riatin, who due to Fain's influence hates Rand.
Toram and Rand fight with practice swords, this is interrupted by fog attacking the camp. One of the Red Ajah present is killed. Rand uses balefire, causing Cadsuane to slap him and tell him never to use it again. Fain stabs him with the dagger from Shadar Logoth. Samitsu partially Heals him, but she says she believes he will die. Darlin carries him out. Min tells the full story of Rand's capture and they return to the palace in Cairhien. Here, Flinn tries his Healing, sealing the wound away.
Rand wakes two days later, having been Healed further by Corele. Min tells him that Cadsuane is to teach him and the Asha'man something they need to know. He hears the army is almost on Illian so Travels to Bashere and his men. He takes them and the Asha'man directly into Illian, where the Asha'man set off all of Sammael's traps. He chases Sammael to Shadar Logoth. Here he sees Liah. Attacking Trollocs, Sammael strikes at him and he loses the Power. A man, probably Moridin, arrives and helps him. They both use balefire, which touch, causing double vision. He drops hints that Sammael is at the Waygate then leaves, claiming plans will have to be abandoned if Rand is killed. The man didn't use saidin. At the Waygate, he sees Sammael turn to look at Liah, who Rand balefires when she is about to be killed by Mashadar. Sammael is then gone. On his return to Illian, Rand is pronounced King.
Moghedien is taken by Shaidar Haran to Moridin, who has two cour'souvra, one of them hers.
Elaida is woken by Alviarin to be told that Rand has broken free and twelve sisters have returned. Alviarin takes control of her by threatening to reveal about this and the sisters sent to the Black Tower. She orders some sisters punished for keeping angreal and others praised, in order to cause dissension amongst the Ajahs. Elaida visits Seaine and sets her looking for traitors, by which she means Black Ajah. Seaine enlists Pevara on the search.
Egwene struggles for some control over the Salidar Hall, using the fact that Sheriam, Lelaine and Romanda can't stand each other to occasionally get her own way. Talking with Siuan, she learns Sheriam has sent sisters to the White Tower and hasn't told the Hall because she fears Darkfriends. It occurs to her that Elaida may have done the same. She feels Moghedien escape, which prevents her taking advantage.
Nicola tries to blackmail her about pretending to be Aes Sedai before she and Elayne were raised. Egwene threatens her and Areina in the real world and in Tel'aran'rhiod. She talks to Melaine, Amys and Bair and reveals she is Amyrlin and warns them of Moghedien. She has visions of Gawyn and Mat.
Theodrin and Faolain swear fealty to her, Faolain telling her how much she dislikes her. She sends them to see if anyone saw Moghedien escape. She tells Siuan it shouldn't matter how strong in the Power she is. Romanda and Lelaine complain about Delana wanting to name Elaida Black.
Halima "heals" Egwene's headaches.
Elayne and Nynaeve go to the Sea Folk to get help with the ter'angreal they are looking for. They recognize it as the Bowl of the Winds. After no success in finding it, they send Birgitte to Mat to tell him he is to help them.
Mat gambles on horses, with Olver as a jockey. He sees Mili Skane, a Darkfriend, and follows her to Jaichim Carridin's place. On the way he picks up a signet ring of a fox scaring birds. Sammael tells Carridin not to go after Mat unless he gets in the way.
He goes to see Tylin and leaves a note about Carridin. Her son Beslan takes a liking to him. Returning to the inn, he is attacked by a man in his room. Birgitte visits Mat, who remembers Birgitte from Falme and they talk in the Old Tongue. They agree to keep each other's secrets. They get drunk, which effects Elayne. On her return she tells Elayne that Mat wants an apology and thanks for rescuing them from the Stone. Aviendha agrees that they need to give it.
Mat annoys Elayne and Nynaeve by saying that it was nothing when they apologize. They promise not to demean him and to listen to his advice. He moves to the palace. Leaving, they are accosted by Setalle Anan, who refuses to believe they are Aes Sedai and takes them to the Kin. When they insist they are Aes Sedai, Reanne throws them out and threatens to spread their descriptions. Setalle recognizes one of them as someone she met, but the woman claims it was her grandmother's sister. Elayne begins to think about the ageless look. They are attacked on the way back.
Mat is pursued and caught by Tylin. The girls set him watching the Kin. He attends a festival with Beslan and his friends, where they are attacked by beggars.
Elayne is brought before the other Aes Sedai who threaten to punish her for talking to the Kin. When she learns Carridin is claiming her mother is arriving she loses her temper and threatens the others, who realize she stands above them. She forces them to go and meet the Kin.
Moghedien tries to balefire Nynaeve but is put off by pigeons. Nynaeve’s boat and bodyguards are destroyed. She almost drowns, but gives in and loses her block and survives. Lan pulls her out. They get married and she fetches the Windfinders.
They go to the Kin who agree to take them to the store of Power-related objects. Mat arrives, having just found it himself. They thank Mat, who is told by Lan of Moghedien. At the store, they are confronted by Falion and Ispan. Mat saves Elayne from a gholam, which is injured by his medallion. It kills Nalesean. They return to the palace, where Mat uses his being ta'veren to make the Windfinders agree to go wherever Elayne and Nynaeve want. Mat goes off to find Olver, with his men, Thom and Juilin. The Seanchan attack and he gets trapped under a wall.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:36 pm
~The Path of Daggers~
The four rulers of the Borderlands form a pact for unknown purposes and take a huge army south. Verin uses what she knows of Compulsion on Aes Sedai prisoners to encourage them to swear fealty to Rand. Moridin demonstrates his insanity. Hanlon visits Mili Skane and sees Carridin killed. Mili also has Falion captured, and claims to have another Aes Sedai.
Nynaeve warns one of the Tower embassy about the Black Ajah and Moghedien, but she is not believed. The girls leave Ebou Dar with the other Aes Sedai, the Knitting Circle and twenty Windfinders, leaving Mat behind to look for Olver. After moving through the gateway, Aviendha sees Moridin, so she unweaves it, which is something the Aes Sedai and Moridin thought impossible. They look for angreal amongst the things found with the Bowl. They are told of Martine Janata, the last Aes Sedai to study ter'angreal, who was burned out twenty five years previously, despite being careful.
They arrive at the retreat run by the Kin where the site of Aes Sedai faces causes panic. Alise manages to calm everyone down. They continue searching the things found with the Bowl while waiting to see if anyone is strong enough to join the circle. They find three angreal.
They use the Bowl under the guidance of one of the Windfinders. Unexpectedly the Bowl draws saidin. It also causes the Power to behave strangely. The Windfinders try to keep the Bowl and one of the angreal, but Alise puts a stop to it.
The use of the Bowl has exhausted them, but they have to flee when the Seanchan attack. Elayne makes the gateway to Travel and tries to unweave it as Aviendha did, but fails and it explodes, destroying everything around. Aviendha and Elayne decide to adopt each other as first-sisters.
One of the Kin is revealed as a novice who ran away seventy years previously, and another admits to running away almost three hundred years before. Adeleas and Ispan are both murdered, probably by someone they trust. Elayne takes the palace and sits in front of the Lion Throne. She meets Dyelin who says she will support her for the throne. She amuses her by telling her of her plans for Rand.
Sevanna uses an Oath Rod on Galina to make her swear to obey her and Therava and all the Wise Ones. The Wise Ones tell Sevanna she is no longer in control of them.
In Ghealdan, Perrin sends Berelain to meet Alliandre. He rescues Morgase and her party who are traveling under false names. Faile takes them into her service after Morgase learns of Perrin’s connection to the Dragon Reborn. Perrin again encounters Elyas, who advises him on living with a Saldaean.
Berelain returns with Alliandre, who swears fealty to Perrin and grants him all her lands and titles. He tells her she can rule for him as his faithful vassal. It rains. Perrin goes to meet Masema and instructs him to gather his people and go meet Rand. Masema is obviously mad. Faile is captured by the Shaido, but Berelain escapes.
Graendal is visited by Moghedien with a girl called Cyndane who is stronger than her in the Power. They tell her to go see Moridin. They turn off the lights and believing it a trap, she drops a web of Compulsion on them. She is forced to free them by Shaidar Haran.
In the Tower, the Aes Sedai deny the possibility that damane could exist. Alviarin continues to use the fiasco of Rand’s kidnapping to make Elaida give bad orders. She makes Elaida accept penance. Mesaana teaches Alviarin Traveling. The Ajahs are barely speaking to each other. Seaine and Pevara use the Oath Rod to force Aes Sedai they believe may have told a lie into obeying them. They discover rebel agents spreading rumors of Logain and the Red Ajah. They are interrupted by a group of Sitters, one from each Ajah. All but one of these swears on the Oath Rod that they are not a Darkfriend. The last (Talene Minly) refuses.
Logain leads a group of Asha'man to capture one of the parties of Aes Sedai who were intending to destroy the Black Tower. He bonds Toveine in almost a Warder bond. One of the others states Taim will not be pleased. Logain says he thinks Taim would rather he was dead.
Egwene has a dream. She learns an army of Murandians and Andorans plan to stop them moving through Andor. She arranges to meet them. Lelaine and Romanda both demand that they be given control over negotiations with the nobles. Siuan believes she sees a pattern in the Sitters ages - they are too young. Sheriam is beaten by someone. Egwene uses the meeting to make public announcements that the Hall cannot overrule, such that women of any age will be allowed to become Aes Sedai and that they are to wait a month where they are. She talks to Talmanes, who says he can feel Mat needing him and he wants to stay. He is going to try and help King Roedran unify the country. Aran'gar kills two of Egwene’s maids. Egwene horrifies Siuan by revealing she wants to free Aes Sedai of the Three Oaths.
She calls a meeting of the Hall and convinces them to declare war on Elaida, which gives her total control of any aspect involving the war. Sheriam is beaten. They wait a month, and then Travel to Tar Valon to begin the siege.
Sorilea and Cadsuane agree to cooperate with regards to Rand. Sorilea teaches Cadsuane Traveling. Torval tells Rand of deserters and insanity amongst the Asha'man. Narishma is sent to fetch Callandor. Rand takes some Asha'man to fight the Seanchan. Rand is attacked by Illianers. Two of the noblewomen with him appear to be discussing whether to kill him or not.
Suroth has Liandrin as a slave and another Aes Sedai as damane. Rand captures damane and sul'dam. They proceed to outside Ebou Dar, where saidin is difficult to handle, and damane become ill. Bashere suggests retreat as they are heavily outnumbered. Rand draws Callandor, but is unable to control it and Bashere is forced to stop him. Adley is killed. Rand and the Seanchan both withdraw.
Rand returns to Cairhien where Dobraine is in charge. Merana and Rafela reveal the details of the Sea Folk bargain, which is not to Rand’s liking. He calms down when Merana reminds him everything was going in his favor until he left. Three Maidens give Rand a beating. Rand asks Cadsuane to be his advisor in Illian. She demands an apology for his rude behavior. She tells him Callandor is dangerous and shouldn't be used. He gets upset when Elayne tears his banners down. Sorilea brings five of the prisoner Aes Sedai, Elza, Nesune, Sarene, Beldeine and Erian, who swear fealty to him. Min sees visions around them including that they will serve him in their own way, including Sorilea.
He leaves the throne room just before it is destroyed. He sees Dashiva, Gedwyn and Rochaid in the ruins, who attack him. He survives and they leave. Morr goes mad and Rand is forced to poison him. Rand tells Min that they are leaving.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:37 pm
~Winter's Heart~
After being subjected to the Chair of Remorse, Talene forswears her Black Ajah oaths and re-swears the Three Oaths, plus one to obey Seaine, Pevara, Yukiri, Doesine and Saerin. She insists Elaida must be Black as the Black always knows what Elaida plans. Although they all doubt it, no one realizes Alviarin is Black. Taim arrives to meet with Elayne. He tells her he has damane and sul'dam for her. He allows her permission to inspect the Black Tower. She is instructed to strip for the first-sister ceremony while he is in Caemlyn, during which a bond, in some ways similar to the Warder bond is established between her and Aviendha. In the Black Tower, Toveine considers the various factions present and how she might be able to use them to escape. Logain is trying to find men interested in Healing severing. It is announced that Damer, Jahar and Eben are rebels. Rand lays false trails and tells Min he plans to cleanse saidin.
Perrin returns from meeting Masema who is keen to go to Rand but not by using the One Power. He learns Faile has been taken by the Shaido. Alliandre tells the Aiel who she is. Galina Heals the prisoners. Alliandre, Faile and Morgase are set to work as Sevanna's maids and told to spy on her by Therava. Galina enlists them to fetch an Oath Rod in return for aiding their escape. Perrin learns Masema has been meeting with the Seanchan. Masema agrees to help Perrin look for Faile, even agreeing to Travel.
Hanlon organizes and foils an attack on Elayne and is named Captain of her bodyguard. Rand Travels to Caemlyn to meet Nynaeve and arrange to cleanse saidin. Nynaeve teaches the Windfinders and Talaan asks to be a novice. Alivia and two of the damane decide they no longer wish to be damane. The sul'dam refuse to admit they can channel. Min forces him to meet with Elayne and Aviendha. He tells all three he loves them and they tell him the same, much to Nynaeve's disgust. They all three bond him as their Warder and all are concerned about the pain he feels and that the only emotion they can sense is his love for them. He sleeps with Elayne much to Birgitte's displeasure, getting her pregnant according to one of Min's viewings. Min, Lan and Nynaeve leave with him, taking Alivia, angreal and ter'angreal. Merilille returns from meeting the Borderland army and Elayne goes to meet them. She decides to use their presence in Andor to try and unite the factions behind her. On her return, she learns from Norry that there are four small armies approaching from the east.
Harine argues with Cadsuane. Sorilea announces that the final captive Aes Sedai, all Red, have sworn fealty to Rand. Corele announces that Damer has Healed Irgain. He is allowed to Heal the other two Aes Sedai stilled by Rand. Alanna collapses and will not wake. Dobraine impresses Cadsuane by telling her that he has sent Darlin and Caraline to Tear where Darlin is to be Steward.
The Forsaken learn of the decision to cleanse saidin and are told by Moridin to kill Rand to stop him. Tuon arrives in Ebou Dar, regretful over having a damane beaten for a telling of the future she did not like. Mat tries to persuade Aludra to help him make weapons and Beslan to be sensible. He sees the Mistress of the Ships has been executed for rebellion. He arranges passage out of Ebou Dar with the circus. He is attacked by the gholam and saved by Noal, who distracts it. He meets Tuon, stopping the dice in his head. She offers to buy him from Tylin and takes a general interest in him, later offering to buy his ashandarei.
Mistress Anan shows him Joline. He agrees to help them escape along with Teslyn who he learns warned Elayne and Nynaeve to spite Elaida. She insists he also frees Edesina. He sees Domon and Egeanin together. Bethamin is told to befriend Egeanin by a Seeker in order to spy on her, but she warns her instead. Domon decides to enlist Mat's help as he remembers him escaping Trollocs. Tylin tells Mat that she is going with Suroth to see which lands will be hers. He talks Juilin into stealing an a'dam and a damane dress. Setalle tries to hold Joline with it but both fall to the floor whimpering. Domon accosts him and he persuades Egeanin to leave quickly, with him and to procure for him three sul'dam. He releases Nestelle, a Windfinder who promises to wait before trying to free the others. Mat is forced to tie up Tylin who had returned unexpectedly. Tuon tries to stop him leaving, but Mat and Noal tie her up. Juilin brings Amathera. Egeanin reveals Tuon is the Daughter of the Nine Moons when she sees her. Mat says that she is his wife. Selucia arrives and relaxes when Mat promises not to hurt her but to take her with them, which causes Tuon to smile.
In Far Madding, Rand fights Kisman and Rochaid, killing Rochaid. Kisman escapes but is killed by Fain who wants Rand for himself. Min worries that Rand felt nothing. Isam/Luc is killing people for one of the Forsaken who hides his identity. Cadsuane takes Harine, Shalon, various Aes Sedai and the Asha'man Warders to Far Madding, Shalon noting tensions between the groups. It is revealed that within Far Madding is a ter'angreal that mimics a stedding in that no one can sense the One Power or channel within its bounds. Cadsuane talks to the First Council and Verin mentions the dangers of upsetting anyone with an army as large as the Dragon Reborn’s. Alanna goes to see Rand. He sends her to Haddon Mirk to deal with the Tairen rebels. Verin decides not to poison Cadsuane when she learns of her intent to remind Rand that he is human.
Rand learns the Stone is under siege and that the Seanchan are advancing into Illian. He gets Verin to ask Cadsuane to be his advisor. Nynaeve and Cadsuane are revealed to be carrying channeling wells. Rand, Nynaeve and Lan go to kill Torval and Gedwyn. They watch then enter their dwelling and are lifted in by Nynaeve using the One Power. Min and Alivia fetch Cadsuane. Inside, Torval and Gedwyn are dead, killed by Fain, who attacks Rand, the pain in his side affecting him greatly. Toram attacks Lan but is quickly dealt with. Fain flees. Rand and Lan are arrested by men attracted by Nynaeve's use of the Power. Cadsuane intimidates the rulers into releasing Rand by showing them that she can use the Power within Far Madding.
They Travel to near Shadar Logoth. Rand and Nynaeve link and use the two great sa'angreal. He links the taint to the city using saidar. The others form into groups to try and protect him, taking angreal. Cadsuane maintains a shield around him and Nynaeve and Elza, Merise and Jahar stay near him for added protection. Damer, Sarene and Corele fight Demandred; Shalon, Verin and Kumira fight Graendal; Eben, Daigian and Beldeine fight Aran'gar, who they are surprised to discover can use saidin. Alivia fights Cyndane and Elza kills Dashiva. Moghedien avoids fighting and sees a great black dome form, in to which she is sucked when it collapses. The taint is shown to be gone, but Kumira and Eben are killed, Damer Healing the rest.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:39 pm
~Crossroads of Twilight~
In Arad Doman, Rodel Ituralde hatches a plot to defeat Seanchan invaders, by using Taraboners to draw them out. Rhadam Asunawa realizes the Whitecloaks are united with the Seanchan by their hatred of Aes Sedai and is willing to sacrifice the Whitecloaks if it will lead to the destruction of the Tower, something he tries to draw Valda on. He would be willing to use damane for this.
Deira Bashere and Dobraine are both attacked, Dobraine almost killed, presumably by men looking for the remaining seals. Loial and Karldin arrive, looking for Rand. Samitsu is surprised that Karldin doesn't submit to her. Logain decides to do something about Taim and takes men and Aes Sedai to the Sun Palace to try and find Rand. From there he Travels with Samitsu, who feels discontent at having her authority usurped by Sashalle, to meet Rand, who isn't pleased by his bonding Aes Sedai and says it must stop. He tells Rand that Taim is a traitor and has named several of those loyal to Rand as traitors, but Rand decides that Taim must wait. He sends Logain with Bashere and Loial to arrange a truce with the Seanchan. Min sees Logain's aura of glory stronger than ever. Bashere returns to say they will do it, but only if Rand is there in person, to meet Suroth and the Daughter of the Nine Moons.
The Black Ajah hunters in the White Tower are forced to go slowly until they can get the only known Black sister on her own. They are puzzled by the premature raising of many of the replacement Sitters and the fact that it seems the Ajah heads conspired in it. Katerine arrives outside Tar Valon at the same time as Tarna and both demand passage into the city. Gawyn no longer feels obligated to the Tower as they tried to have him and the Younglings killed and have abandoned them, but not all the Younglings share his views. He learns from Tarna that Elayne supports the rebels. Alviarin returns from Tremalking and sees rats about the Tower, a sign of wards failing. She learns that Elaida has survived the knowledge of the debacle at Dumai's Wells and the loss of sisters sent to destroy the Black Tower. She is told she is no longer Keeper. She notices Talene look to Yukiri and Doesine before keeping silent when the Green is asked a question. Elaida tells her how much she looks forward to her execution when sufficient proof has been found. She uses a device to contact Mesaana to tell her this. Mesaana is unimpressed and decides to punish her before Shaidar Haran arrives and puts a stop to all chaneling, showing Mesaana's true face. She announces she will kill Alviarin for this, but Shaidar Haran forbids it, announcing he is the Dark One and briefly casting off his Myrddraal form. He puts a mark of protection on Alviarin and tells her to find those who threaten the Black Ajah. She decides to start with Talene.
Tarna visits Pevara and after mentioning Pevara's unusual views suggests that the only way to control Asha'man is to bond them and that the Reds will be the only ones willing to do it. Pevara reveals to her that Asha'man have already bonded those sent to destroy them, saying this will change the world
Perrin learns that Masuri and Annoura have being meeting with Masema although doesn't know why. Berelain stops hunting him, but is content to let everyone else believe that she still is. She tells him of a letter Masema had from Suroth and that her thief-takers who obtained it are missing. They discover the Shaido camp but that it is too large to attack and possibly has up to five hundred Wise Ones in it. Masema sends them to a town where the dead are walking and corruption and decay are rife. He discovers a large pack of Darkhounds, though not hunting him. He stops the futile torture of a captured Shaido and instead chops off his hand and threatens to do the same to his other limbs and leave him to force him to talk, but learns little. Tallanvor informs him that the Seanchan are also hunting the Shaido and he decides to align with them to get him back.
In the Shaido camp, Faile plots her escape and continues to spy on Sevanna. Galina informs Sevanna that Faile has kept a weapon. Lacile and Arrela, two of Cha Faile whose escape was helped by Bain and Chiad are retaken. Aravine pledges fealty to Faile. Rolan takes a liking to her and she believes he may help her escape.
Elayne Travels around, gathering support from minor Houses before Dyelin brings the High Seats of four of the larger Houses she needs to pledge allegiance to her. Careane and Merilille talk of their disapproval of Hanlon while Sareitha talks of how great he is. She makes a bargain with Zaida, giving her a square mile of Andor in return for fourteen Windfinders to open gateways and keep Caemlyn supplied while the siege goes on. Merilille is to go with them, but she flees first, taking one of the apprentices with her.
Arymilla keeps Elenia, Naean and Nasin hostage to force their support, though Elenia plans her escape and revenge. Hanlon plots the murder of everyone.
Mat and Tuon get to know each other. She asks if he remembers Artur Hawkwing’s face and he denies it. He learns the Windfinder he freed had freed others and many people died for it. He learns Tylin is dead. He struggles with Egeanin for control until Tuon strips her of her nobility and promises Mat that she will not try and escape. Rendra is keen to use the a'dam again on the Aes Sedai with them, but Bethamin is resigned to the fact that they will not. Mat forbids it. Rendra tries to kill Egeanin before fleeing to keep the secret that she can be made damane, which Egeanin is forced to reveal. Rendra is killed to stop her contacting a Seanchan patrol. Tuon forbids Mat from mourning. Mat learns that by claiming that Tuon is his wife three times, he has completed his half of the Seanchan marriage ceremony. Mat and Tuon play a game where he buys her gifts but doesn't give her them. Setalle takes a liking to Tuon, who herself takes a liking to Olver. She gives Luca a guarantee of safety and a list offering protection to most of the people she has been with, except Mat.
In the group besieging the Tower, Egwene has people turning iron into cuendillar, for practice and to provide funds and is exerting more authority over the Hall. Delana is trying to cause trouble and insisting Elaida should be named Black. Keepings have been failing and food has been rotting. The sisters sworn to her have become her official council. Most of the Sitters who were Sitters when they fled are pressing to negotiate, so Egwene allows this, on the condition they insist on Elaida's resignation and exile. Elaida meanwhile is insisting that the Blue is disbanded and all the rebels are no longer members of any Ajah. Sitters return from where the taint was cleansed and report that Shadar Logoth is no longer there and that saidin was used, prompting them to assume it was the Forsaken. An alliance with the Asha'man is approved, much to the disgust of the original Sitters. Lelaine later suggests bonding them, modifying the bond to allow them to be compelled. Egwene foolishly believes Rand to be doing similar but still refuses. She tells Romanda of the plans for the Kin, but she is not interested, insisting she will die as Aes Sedai. Sharina takes on much of the responsibility of ensuring the novices do as they should, to the bemusement and annoyance of various Aes Sedai. Nicola disappears and Anaiya and Kairen Sedai are murdered by Aran'gar, who is continuing to give Egwene headaches. Egwene converts the harbor chain to cuendillar before being betrayed and caught by Tower Aes Sedai.
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Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2007 2:41 pm
~Knife of Dreams~
Galad believes that Eamon Valda has murdered Morgase and challenges him to Trial by Combat with the support of Trom, Byar and Dain Bornhald. Although Valda is a blademaster and fights well, Galad makes him overconfident and kills him. He is told that this makes him the new Lord Captain Commander and he decides to take the Whitecloaks out of Altara to ally with anyone who will fight the Seanchan and the Last Battle, even Aes Sedai or Asha'man if need be. Rodel Ituralde attacks camps in Tarabon as part of his plan to beat the Seanchan out of Arad Doman. Suroth learns of this and sends the majority of the raken in Altara and Amadicia after him. She learns that Semirhage has killed the Imperial family and plots to kill Tuon so that she can be Empress. Moridin calls a meeting of the Forsaken and instructs them to find the Seals on the Dark One's prison and to kill Mat and Perrin if they can be found. Harine attends a meeting of Wavemistresses, with the new Mistress of the Ships, Zaida. They learn that the Amayar have committed mass suicide because of their belief that the Time of Illusion is coming to an end. Logain arrives to tell them they are required to use all of their ships to take food to Arad Doman as part of the Bargain.
Perrin meets with the Seanchan and learns that the Prophecies of the Dragon mention the Wolf King carrying a hammer. He tells them he wants to feed the Shaido forkroot tea to stop the women channeling. They agree to his plan and requisition some forkroot, using a letter from Suroth, stolen from Masema. Tam arrives with more men from the Two Rivers. Once the forkroot has been added to the water supply, he attacks with Two Rivers archers and they break the Shaido with the help of the Aes Sedai and other Seanchan he has being dealing with.
Faile learns that one of the other gai'shain has stolen the Shaido Oath Rod and is given it. Rolan tells her that the Mera’din are considering returning to the Waste and will free her if they do. He warns her to be careful and she hides the Oath Rod in town. She takes Galina to a burned out house. Galina takes the rod out with her and is able to cause the house to collapse, trapping Faile and her companions. Rolan rescues Faile and is taking her to safety when Perrin arrives and kills him. Aram is killed attacking Perrin, having been corrupted by Masema, who escapes with a small number of his followers. Sevanna is captured by the Seanchan, as are over two hundred Wise Ones. Galina is caught again by Therava and told never to try and escape again. Therava leads a group of Shaido back to the Aiel Waste to rebuild the Shaido clan.
Rand sees an image of Moridin in his head and concludes that he is aware of him. He talks with Logain and is told that more than half of the Black Tower is in Arad Doman and Illian. Rhuarc is trying to bring order to Bandar Eban. Loial gets married to Erith and learns that the Ogier are discussing opening the Book of Translation so they can leave the world, ready to return when the Wheel turns again. Trollocs attack and are killed, but it is close, with Logain and his Aes Sedai perhaps making the difference. Rand tells Loial that he needs him to find the Waygates that were in cities in order to seal them, but Haman volunteers instead. Verin leaves. Nynaeve sends Lan to Saldaea, from where he rides to Shienar with anyone who will join him. Nynaeve persuades some Malkieri to do so and has pigeons sent ahead to encourage others. Rand goes to Tear and learns that the rebels have agreed to terms as long as Darlin is named king. Rand reluctantly agrees. They go to meet the Daughter of the Nine Moons and discover it is Semirhage in disguise when her illusion flickers. She attacks and Rand loses a hand but she is captured. She reveals that Rand is hearing Lews Therin's voice and claims it is a madness, even more so for being real and that even Graendal could rarely save someone who heard a real voice.
Egwene is told that she will not be punished, just placed back in novice white. Beonin returns to the Tower and teaches Elaida and Tarna Traveling but is forbidden from teaching anyone else. Elaida is displeased with her for not holding the rebels back as much as she was instructed to. Egwene is defiant in the Tower, maintaining that she is the Amyrlin Seat. At first she is taught by Accepted, but after embarrassing too many of them, her lessons are switched to private lessons with Aes Sedai. She is sent for punishment several times a day for not using their titles and for trying to put ideas in their heads. The other novices and Accepted come to believe her and she begins to influence the Aes Sedai into seeing what a disaster Elaida is. She speaks with Mattin Stepaneos and makes him realize that Elaida has hid the truth about Rand from him. She encounters Beonin and instructs her to warn all the rebel spies that they were betrayed. After nine days, Elaida decides to have Egwene wait on her.
Elayne defends the wall in Caemlyn against sorties from Arymilla. She learns that many of the men thrown out of the White Lions by Gaebril because of loyalty to Morgase are supporting her. Reanne tells her that one of the sul'dam has admitted being able to channel and is now asking to be made damane. They learn that Aviendha has a Talent for identifying what ter'angreal do, but she is taken away by Wise Ones to continue her apprenticeship before she can finish aiding Elayne. Elayne has Mellar tracked and discovers that he visits two Black Aes Sedai. They learn that Reanne and several other Kinswomen have been murdered by saidar. She takes the Aes Sedai with her to arrest Falion and Marillin, but they are outnumbered as four other Black sisters are there. Asne uses a ter'angreal to disable her. They decide to capture Elayne and kill the Aes Sedai apart from Careane as she is one of them. Vandene kills Careane for killing Adeleas and she and Sareitha are killed. They flee, taking Elayne with them. Birgitte persuades the Windfinders to weave a gateway to outside the city walls. They rescue Elayne outside of Caemlyn, capturing five of the Black Aes Sedai and killing Asne. They are able to take men to hit the back of Arymilla's attacking army, compressing them in the city streets and forcing them to yield. Those who can transfer allegiance to Elayne, do. The other six nobles (Abelle, Aemlyn, Arathelle, Ellorien, Luan and Pelivar) visit and, after talking, Luan and Abelle pledge to Elayne, giving her the support of enough Houses to be Queen of Andor. After this, the rest apart from Ellorien do so also.
Mat buys Tuon a horse and tries to find a way to escape. He asks Noal about Jain Farstrider and is told unconvincingly that he was a cousin. He encounters Joline slapping Bethamin and can feel the Power being used and so stops her; she slaps him, so he puts her over his lap and spanks her. He learns that Bethamin has channeled on her own. Joline and Edesina agree to teach her. Later, Seta also channels and they reluctantly agree to teach her as well. The Aes Sedai realize that he has a ter'angreal that stops channeling. Setalle shows great interest in it and he realizes that she used to be an Aes Sedai, something that she confirms. He talks with Aludra and they discuss canon-making. Leilwin/Egeanin and Domon marry. Tuon tells him that she suspects the Horn of Valere has been blown, putting him off his game plan. They meet a band of Tuatha'an heading for Seanchan lands in the belief that there is safety. Teslyn and Joline start pestering Tuon, telling her that she should stop the invasion. She places an a'dam around their necks, but Mat frees them again and instructs them to leave her alone. He learns from Moiraine’s letter to Thom than she is alive and captured and can be rescued through the Tower of Ghenjei, though it must be Mat, Thom and one more who try or the attempt will fail and even then it is not certain. He agrees to try, as does Noal. Olver is able to tell them how to get in, as Birgitte had told him. He takes Tuon to a hell and gambles until one of the other gamblers becomes suspicious, and so looses the next toss. On leaving, he is attacked by a group of swordsmen and kills them with his knives. He meets up with Talmanes, who has brought part of the Band, leaving Estean in control of the rest. Tuon is surprised at the affection his men have for him and that the discipline is not lax and begins to see him in a new light, realizing that she doesn't know him as well as she thought. He plans a series of attacks to divert the Seanchan and allow them to escape through passes in the mountains. The plan is going reasonably well, with the Seanchan commander believing Mat to have many more men than he has in truth, when Furyk Karede finds him. Mat tells him that he can have Tuon if he can get her safely back to Ebou Dar as he has realized that the Seanchan are trying to kill her. She says that she trusts Karede, so Mat agrees and she completes the marriage ceremony as one part of the Foretelling she received from Lidya was that the man she would marry would carry her away and set her free. Karede leaves some of his own men as a diversion and they are attacked by ten thousand soldiers led by Elbar, all trying to kill Tuon, but the men are defeated by Mat, using a new model of crossbow, the Power, and fireworks. Tuon returns to Ebou Dar and strips Suroth of rank, naming her da'covale.
The rebel camp agrees not to free Egwene, on her orders. Romanda believes that there must be a way to put out all the older novices but is forced to reconsider when she learns of Sharina's talent for the new Healing. Merise and Jahar arrive to offer to let the rebel Aes Sedai bond forty-seven Asha'man, explaining the significance of the number (fifty-one Aes Sedai bonded by Logain's men, minus four Asha'man that have been bonded by Aes Sedai, equaling the number forty-seven to balance the two) and that saidin is clean. He tells them the story of a woman channeling saidin at Shadar Logoth and Romanda realizes it is probably Halima as she has remembered the connection between Anaiya, Kairen and Cabriana; she orders the arrest of Halima and Delana, but they have already fled.
Tsutama, the new head of the Red Ajah, tells Pevara to go ahead with the plan for Reds to bond Asha'man. Javindhra seems to be pleased at the chance to defy Elaida. Pevara meets with the other Sitters in the Black Ajah hunt and learns that news of Elaida's disasters are filtering back, but are being kept to Sitters and Heads. The Black Ajah trail has gone cold as all known members have either been controlled or are out of the Tower. Tarna and Pevara, along with four other Reds, go to the Black Tower to ask to be allowed to bond Asha'man. Taim agrees with the words "let the lord of chaos rule".
Throughout the world, ghosts and bubbles of evil become more common, food continues to spoil and buildings change, with corridors and rooms appearing, disappearing and moving as the Pattern weakens.
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