Wheel of Time, Books 11 & 12, Kat's Extreme Readers' Digest, The Irreverent Edition

[kat_lair]

***

As the Re/Read Book Club over at tar_valon progresses, I've been doing summaries of questionable taste and accuracy. I'm just cross-posting them here for posterity, 2 books worth at a time.

Previously:

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

Book 7. A Crown of Swords

Book 8. The Path of Daggers

Book 9. Winter's Heart

Book 10. Crossroads of Twilight


Now:
[Banners by r_tt_n]



We start strong, because holy shit, it’s our man Galad! He’s grim and determined, riding off to confront Valda at the manor house somewhere in Amadicia the Seanchans had given the Whitecloaks (theme of the book: everyone and their granny makes a deal with the Seanchan). He gets some moral support and together they reflect on the ‘ends vs means’ argument, though it turns out that the means that have finally broken Galad’s back here are the whispers of how Valan raped his mum, i.e. Morgase. Ngl, as soon as it was clear what his mission here was, I started scribbling ‘omg pls kill himmmm’ on the margins, and friends, I was not disappointed. According to their ancient fundie customs, anyone can accuse anyone of anything in ‘Trial Beneath the Light’ which just means that the one better at killing wins the case. While I have some notes on that on principle, on this particular occasion it means that Valda finally dies. I cheered. \o/ Anyway, the fight scene is actually pretty cool and it’s nice to get Galad’s pov, especially as his approach is very close to Rand’s and if that boy doesn’t have at least the ability to learn to channel, I will call foul on a missed plot opportunity. Sadly, Asunawa escapes, likely running back to the Seanchans, which are somewhat of a sore point among the rank and file, who elect Galad to be their new Lord Captain-Commander.

Jump to Taraborn, where Ituralde (and several other groups like his) have a plan that is essentially to needle and poke at the Seanchans until they give chase and lead them to a trap. In practice this includes first luring the Seanchans out with fake raiders and then torching their supply camp. Both flies and ghosts are observed. Meanwhile, in Ebou Dar, Suroth is having a rotten night. She can’t sleep over worrying about Tuon, and by that I obviously mean worrying about her own skin (…quite literally, it turns out) if she’s not found and found alive. As if that isn’t enough, she gets summonsed to an urgent meeting regarding the Taraborn disaster, all the while getting subpar service from Liandrin, who she sends of to get beaten. Captain-General Galgan delivers the bad news of Ituralde’s raids (whilst extending some admiration to his skills). Suroth wants Ituralde’s head and decides to send much of the raken to facilitate that, which will, I’m guessing, turn out to be a bad move. There’s some casual pondering of making Asunawa da’covale and now I can’t decide which I want more for him, servitude or death. Anyway, to top Suroth’s evening she gets a visit from our Sadist Queen Semirhage who pops in to casually say that she’s gone and killed the whole Seanchan imperial family, which makes Tuon the actual Empress now… Unless Suroth kills her and then she can be Empress herself.

In the White Tower, Pevara is having tea with Tsutama, the Highest of the Red Ajah. A letter has arrived from Sashalle in Cairhien confirming all sorts of information about the sisters bonded to Asha’man, Logain’s restored powers, as well as those of the stilled sisters, and their oaths to Rand. It has prompt Tsutama to decide that the plan for the Red sisters to bond Asha’man is a go and oh, it’s up to Pevara to organise it and no one is to tell Elaida. Pevara catches up with Yukiri, and while they have discovered and oath-tied a couple of other BA members, the hunt has slowed down. Talene has received summons to appear before the BA council but letting her keep the appointment is a bad idea, no matter how much Pevara wants an outright confrontation. Seaine comes with the news that Elaida’s vague mission which she had interpreted as BA hunt had actually been about pinning Alviarin for the correspondence with Rand, which means there’s no going to Elaida with their findings now since she could still be BA herself. Alviarin is living the life of an outcast, except she’s still in the Tower and getting her ass switched every day (there’s a lot of spanking and switching and flogging of bottoms in this book series, Jordan’s kinks are not subtle). Food is spoiling everywhere in the Tower and like true maths nerds, the White Sisters are debating on the best statistical method to calculate the rate, outstanding. Alviarin’s mission to break the Tower from the inside is progressing well despite the setbacks and Talene’s disappearance gives her a credible threat toward BA, enough to go crying for the Dark Daddy. Bad news for Yukiri and Doesine though as BA is now aware that they are a potential threat.

On the fringes of the Shaido camp, Galina is out for a ride, plotting her escape and repressing memories of her special time with Therava. This is interrupted by Gaul and co snatching her up and gatewaying her to have a chat with Perrin. She spins a pretty tale of Aes Sedai business and protection for Faile, Alliandre and co, which Perrin at least mostly believes since AS can’t lie. Except, BA can of course and she lies about not knowing where Faile and the others sleep. Of course she doesn’t want them rescued before they manage to secure the oath rod to her. Perrin gives her a message to pass on to Faile, which she of course won’t.

Egwene is being taken to the Tower and on the way observes the miserable state of Tar Valon streets and the chilly relations amongst her capturers, at each other’s throats and none too pleased about harbour chains being turned to cuendillar. Everyone, including Egwene herself, thinks she’s on the way to the cells and executioner’s block, but Elaida has other plans. Nicola (knew she’d run off to the White Tower) delivers the news that Egwene is to be handed to the Mistress of Novices and don the novice whites once more. Apparently Egwene is too powerful to be wasted. Egwene is determined to embrace the pain of any birching to come but refuses to deny who she is because acquiescence would be as bad as her death for the rebellion. She is aghast at the hostility between the sisters and the deserted corridors of the Tower, and learns that Leane has also been capture although the sisters are having hard time believing she really is Leane. Silviane who is in charge of novices is a hard woman but seems at least someone who could be reasoned with. Egwene passes on her Dreaming warning of impending Seanchan attack. Egwene is to be kept under strict watch and near constant low level forkroot sedation but she can still reach Tel’aran’rhiod to tell Siuan of her situation, and she’s damn determined to carry on her mission from within the Tower.

Phew, that’s over 1k of summary just to get through the prologue. Let’s see if we, and Jordan, can pick this up a bit. Ch1 opens with Siuan waking up from her pallet in Byrne’s tent (though with no sight of Byrne himself), in desperate hurry to pass on the news that Egwene is not dead before anyone does anything stupid. After thinking of poor crying Chesa (hope someone tells her the good news soon) and unpolishing Byrne's boots out of sheer stubborness, she takes an uncomfortable ride to the AS camp, finding almost everyone sworn to Egwene in Myrelle's tent. Everyone wants to go rescue Egwene immediately which they could do with a gateway but Egwene has ordered them not to because she's going to stay and win some hearts and minds in the Tower dammit. Lelaine shows up to break up the conversation, taking Siuan for a little stroll during which she reveals that Faolain has let things slip and she knows about them spying for Egwene (though possibly not about the oaths). Egwene calls the Hall to sit in the Tel'aran'rhiod Hall, under Elaida's nose as it were and I am bitter that we don't get to actually witness that. Siuan worries about Lelaine's ambitions getting the better of her. Beonin, who has been one of Egwene's inner circle, wakes up the next morning, reflecting on her life-choices, collects her belongings and her Warder and (after sharing some of her murder detective advice with other sisters, her finger, incorrectly pointing at Asha'man) Gateways to the Tower grounds. Even her Warder doesn't know what she's up to, dismissed to go wait in a city inn, but we learn soon enough as Beonin dons an illusion and requests audience with Elaida. I was honestly hoping she'd try to stab her in the heart until the last minute, but no, Beonin is Elaida's spy. Elaida herself is busy ignoring the protests over his kidnapping from the King of Illian. Mattin Stepaneos isn't dead after all and is now in Elaida's pocket, pacified by promise of getting his throne back. Tarna (the new Keeper since Alviarin's downfall) brings news of the dead walking the streets of Tar Valon and apparently everyone is too frightened to pick up their carbage because of that, and of course loss of 1.5/2 harbours thanks to Egwene's little cuendillar trick. Beonin shows up to give report of hampering the rebel movement, tattle about Egwene being a Dreamer, Tel'aran'rhiod and share the weave for travelling. Elaida orders her not to share it with anyone else though which is going to cost her some legitimacy I think, especially since Beonin is also aghast at what is happening in the Tower.

Finally, a DF pov. Specifically Halima/Aran'gar this time around who makes an appearance at the special party at Moridin's summons and wouldn't you know, the whole gang is there! Halima reasons Moridin is really Ishamael and suggests a mutually beneficial, and pleasurable, deal to Graendal noting how "her appetites had not altered, only broadened." Love that for her, our evil bisexual queen. Anyway, others are angry about Aran'gar failing to keep Egwene under her thumb (occurs to me that this is one benefit of Egwene's change of accommodation, wonder if she notices a decrease in headaches...) but before the squabble really gets going, Moridin shows up. And promptly announces that Sammael has resurfaced (I fucking knew it! Always. Check. The. Body.) or at least someone disguised as him has sent thousands of Trollocs and Myrddraal flooding the Ways. Moridin lays down the law, saying no one is to go dabbling in their own schemes anymore and instead should focus on finding rest of the Seals and also killing Perrin and Mat while at it. He also still seems personally horny for Rand so...

Elsewhere, Perrin, Berelain and co have dressed up fancy to strike the deal with the devil, i.e. the Seanchans. Aram wasn't even allowed to join them because Perrin is worried he'll just run to Masema (I know I keep banging this drum but it's because Perrin isn't banging loyalty into his guard dog, anyway). Perrin is also seeing proper images of what Rand and Mat are up to now. The Seanchans arrive, complete with sul'dam and damane. Formal introductions are made and we get a delicious Seanchan prophecy about a 'Wolf King' and 'fox marrying a raven' heralding Tarmon Gai'don. There's a demonstration of strenght ala Asha'man and Perrin also hands over rights to revive Manetheren, and shares his plans to subdue Shaido OP users by contaminating the water supply with forkroot. When the Seanchans say they don't have that much of it, Perrin whips out the letter from Suroth they liberated from Masema since that is going to get them all sorts of Seanchan resources.

In the Shaido camp, Faile is still in service of Sevanna. We also learn that a month has passed since we last saw her. Therava is still punishing Galina (sounds like she and Semirhage have things in common) and also arguing with Sevanna about whether to stay or go. Sevanna also faces potential competition as a hopeful clan chief has gone to Rhuidean. Faile has been gaining a steady following of other gai’shain eager to swear to her in hopes of escape, which is understandable considering all custom and discipline is disintegrating and sexual assaults on gai’shain women are apparently rampant. Faile stops for a chat with a Wise One and suddenly everyone and everything ripples which I assume of reality disintegrating as the Dark One is near to breaking free. At least there is some good news, one of her new followers have finally managed to sneak into Therava’s tent to steal the oath rod, and Faile even manages to hide it in the city before the search for it starts. Rolan also drops by to say that he and some of the other Mera’din are thinking of returning home, and says he’d be happy to take Faile and others with them and to let them go once it's safe.

Mat still has dice tumbling in his head when he goes shopping in Jurador, contemplating on dead people walking and accidentally ta’veren peeping on Rand and Min having sex. He finds himself a nice stave and even nicer horse for Tuon, demonstrating his competency with horses in the meanwhile. Back in Luca’s camp he goes to see his wife to be, completely smitten with her despite himself, and tries out his new pet name for her, which Tuon accepts in the spirit of the game. Noal tells everyone about his ‘cousin’ Jain Farstrider, though discussion is interrupted by news of Seanchan soldiers. Mat goes and observes as two of them from a new camp nearby try to gain entry without paying, almost causing a massacre as Luca’s men don’t stand for that. Situation is deescalated by the soldiers’ superior though who sends them packing and tries to recruit Mat in the process. Situation handled, Mat head to see the Aes Sedai and walks into the middle of a tense situation between them and the sul’dam, channelling and slapping at each other. Mat’s approach to de-escalation is to spank Joline over his knee, which he manages to do since the medallion around his neck makes him untouchable to OP weaves. Focus shifts first to Mat’s medallion, then to Setalle Anan’s possible past in the Tower, and finally to the undeniable fact that one of the sul’dam Bethamin had definitely channelled too. After some debate, Joline and others agree that she needs to be taught. Mat wisely takes his leave. The next day, the show moves on and Mat contemplates on how to gain the respect of the woman he’s destined to marry. He also catches up with Aludra, having finally solved her riddle and figured out that she wants a bellfounder for creating lofting tubes for her fireworks. Or the ‘dragon’s eggs’ that are all explosion and none of the pretty colours. I was right about the reinvention of cannons but I’m not that happy about it. Mat promises Rand’s backing for such an invention, which is interesting considering Aludra wants to kill Seanchans and Rand is busy making a truce with them. Some of the dice settle down in Mat’s head and I believe we’re seeing the first step of that ‘bowling over men’ dream Egwene had.

Egeanin and Domon get married, so Mat has to move to a tent of his own. His servants are bored and should, I think, fuck to kill time, must be more fun than finding things to darn. The rumours of Dragon Reborn having vanished are frightening everyone and Mat can’t even reassure people that he’s alive and having regular sexytimes with Min without causing all sorts of awkward questions. He continues to spend time with Tuon, learning about Seanchan superstitions and their prophecies of the Dragon, that feature the Horn of Valere (aww the zombie horn, remember that) which makes Mat sweat. He gifts the razor (i.e. the horse) to her and as soon as he does, some of the dice stop. They (plus Selucia obvs) go for a ride, see some Tinkers, and then Tuon leads Mat on a merry chase through the woods. They see an old, now broken statue and Mat has instant flashbacks to the city it once stood in. He also comes to realisation that the memories the Eelfin stuffed into his head must have come from other men who made deals with them and then were somehow marked so all their subsequent memories were gathered, possibly as a side effect of just spying through their eyes. The Tinkers have come after them, thinking Tuon must have tried to run away from Mat and it takes some explaining (details of which Mat never learns) to convince them otherwise.

Egeanin shares all the tea on Tuon with Mat once she realises that her life as a Seanchan is well and truly over, and so Mat learns all about Tuon’s upbringing with constant threat of assassination from her siblings, and training in all manner of intrigue and weapons. Gifting her with a horse was apparently most appropriate courting gift, acknowledging that he’s not her equal even. The Aes Sedai are teaching Bethamin in channeling, and also throwing rocks at Mat, trying to get a glimpse of his medallion. He has a chat with Setalle Anan about her past and also how head over heels he is for Tuon. The Aes Sedai try to talk to Tuon about a truce but she still only seems them as marath’damane and pretends they’re not even there until the exact moment she snaps a’dams on them. The scene doesn’t go well, but Mat, who is immune to channelling, simply removes the collars and then buries them where no one can find them. Still, the Aes Sedai agree to stop bothering Tuon. There’s a harsh lesson coming her way I assume. She and Mat continue their rides and cultural exchange of superstitions and omens, while Mat shows off his juggling skills. They run across a ghost village and watch an unfortunate peddler sinks straight into the road. Show is ready to turn around but Luca persuades them to carry on. Everyone gets drunk in the aftermath of all that. Egeanin and Domon make friends with Juilin and Amathera. Mat finally asks about the letter that Thom has been rereading for all this time which is the secret sign that he’s ready to read it according to Moiraine. That’s right, SHE IS NOT DEAD I FUCKING KNEW IT (sorry, got a bit excited by that) and the letter to Thom details how he, Mat and one another coming to rescue her is the only chance all of them have to survive. And way to the land of Eelfinn is via Tower of Ghenjei, which Mat knows by description. As soon as he agrees to go (with Noal as the third), the last set of dice stops. The next stop is a town of Maderin where Tuon wants to slum it at one of the rougher inns, nevermind that there are Seanchans crawling all over. Thom knows just the place. Tuon certainly enjoys the outing, observing everything with curiosity and looking forward to seeing Mat in a knife fight. They get to the inn, do some drinking and some gambling, but Thom soon brings the news that the gholam is still on Mat’s trail and that the Seanchan army are looking for Tuon, or to be more precise, an impostor pretending to be her. Tuon suspects her siblings though we know they are dead and that it’s likely to be Suroth behind the scheme. Mat plans on gathering everyone, including Aludra, and leaving the show behind but they are barely out of the inn before they are attacked by a group of what I assume are darkfriends who recognised Mat. An extremely sexy knife fight occurs where Mat kills many people, Tuon kills at least one where Mat hesitated cos she was a woman, and Thom pretends not to have seen just how many people Selucia killed.

Somewhere in Amadicia, Perrin has concluded many days of talks with the Seanchan and now he and his new allies are off to secure some resources. En route there is discussion of Tuat’han and Trollocs, reflection on how Aram just might be his responsibility, and how nothing matters except getting Faile back (Faile, I feel, is going to have some opinions on this). In town of Almizar, they first witness a man turning into a writhing pile of beetles (guess the Dark Lord is getting creative and bored?) and then secure some raken, not that there are many left what with most of them chasing Ituralde’s men in Taraborn. Next order of business is large quantities of dried forkroot, which they get from an Imperial functionary despite Tylee’s (the Seanchan Banner-General) doubts, due to combination of Suroth’s letter and Perrin’s casual use of her name which suggests he just might be bosom buddies with her. On the way out, Perrin takes an arrow to the arm, narrowly missing being assassinated by two men who take poison rather than report failure.

In Caemlyn, Elayne is in the middle of a melee despite everyone’s disapproval of her hands on approach to defending the city. Arymilla has been sending frequent raids, though Elayne’s strategy of using Kinswomen to gateway soldiers where they are needed is keeping things at bay so far. Her pregnancy mood swings are driving her crazy and keeping everyone else on their toes. Once the worst of the fighting is done, she runs right into the middle of it and up a watchtower, Aviendha and guardswomen at her heel. Birgitte is less than happy about her being there but both are soon distracted by dealing with the mercenaries whose loyalties go only as far as the gold. Because of this, Birgitte has been leading every attack and is exhausted. There’s an OP powered storm that Avienda disperses because Elayne’s pregnancy means her handle on the weaves is a bit of a hit and miss. Kinswomen, having learned of Egwene’s plan and been given jobs to do, are walking tall and proud again. Everyone gateways back to the palace, just in time to see young handsome Charlz Guybon arrive with ten thousand troops. Excellent news of course. Now only if Elayne managed to find her rooms to change into dry clothing. She think it’s pregnancy that muddles her head and makes her walk around in circles but we learn it’s more than that later. There’s a chat with Reanne and some other Kinswomen, walking the newly freed damane as a way to get them used to freedom. Individuation is hard to regain. One of the sul’dam has admitted to seeing the weaves as well and Elayne is taking the hard line here of sending any such sul’dam back to the Seanchan even though they will be collared, because it’s hell of a strategy to undermine the very foundations of the practice. All glimpse Vandene who is wearing her dead sister’s clothes and perfume now and still consumed by the quest to find her killer. Reene Halfor brings news that there are mercenary leaders waiting with Mellar. Still attempting to get to her quarters, they next run to the Windfinders left behind who are demanding action on locating the apprentice Talaan who ran off (was kidnapped?) with Merilille. Words are had, and the Windfinders seem set on a collision course with the numerous Aes Sedai staying at an inn in Caemlyn. After about a tenth suggestion that Elayne change out of her wet clothes, her patience finally snaps and she lets out a marvellous scream much to the amusement of Birgitte and Aviendha.

Finally in her rooms, Elayne gets distracted as Aviendha is revealed to have a Talent for recognising what the various ter’angreal do. She identifies a pain stick, an mp3 player, a mobile phone and an e-reader among other things. Pretty neat. Alas, fun times are interrupted as Nadera and various other Goshain women come to say they are leaving on Rand’s command and taking Aviendha with them. Tearful goodbyes are had, Aviendha leaves Elayne with the ter’angreal that hides one from the Shadow and Elayne gives her some angreal to take with. No time to mope about it for too long as Elayne is called into listen mercenaries try to extort more gold out of her, though not before she knocks Mellar down a rung and sends him packing. Elayne is having none of it with the mercenaries either and tells them to suck it up, stop fondling the servant girls, or be put outside the gates barefoot and swordless. Ngl, it was hot. Anyway, the Aes Sedai provide their own ‘advice’ on counting the sisters in and outside Caemlyn. Once all the extra ears are out, Renee shares the news from their double agent Skellit that Arymilla plans on riding to Caemlyn soon. Norry does one better and introduces them to a highly successful cutpurse who finally might the man to trail Mellar without ending up dead. I’m honestly just relieved that Elayne is seeing through his act, though fearful it will not end up well for her.

Dyelin arrives. On the way to talk to her our protagonists learn that the palace layout has indeed been changing, leaving everyone from unsettled to terrified. Likely to be some kind of evil at work, it does seem a bit random. In the map room, Elayne ponders on tactics, thinking Rand is calling in everyone for a big battle with the Seanchans. She’s going to be among the many women in Rands life who are going to be Extremely Pissed when they learn of his planned truce/need to come and rescue him if he gets the male a’dam slapped around his fool neck in the process. The underage High Seats arrive to hear Dyelin’s news, while she and Birgitte still have some unresolved sexual tension. Anyway, Dyelin has been to talk to the High Seats sitting out the dispute over the crown but no luck, they’re not supporting Elayne or Arymilla and still seem to want Dyelin on the throne. Unfortunately, Elayne’s play of using the mock threat of the Borderlanders to unite the houses for her is also not working out. More bad news arrives in the evening when Vandene comes to tell that Reanne Corly has been murdered and with OP too, and also the Kinswomen everyone thought had just left, seem to have met the same fate.

In Arymilla’s camp, an unpleasant dinner of rotting meat is shared by the uneasy alliances. Sylvase, Nasin’s granddaughter, is confirmed to be far more switched on than everyone thinks. My prediction is that she’s waiting for an opportunity to take over the reigns from her senile relative and will then turn House Caeren to Elayne. News comes that the mercenaries have agreed to… do something, likely to switch sides to Arymilla, though it’s going to cost her. Uh-oh.

Rand and co are still at Algarin manor house, where Loial is trying to get any descriptive details from Rand about what he’s been doing. Rand is too busy with going through his list of women who died because of him and having visions on Perrin and Mat when their names come up in the conversation. Rand seems sulky that they’re not with him when he needs them. He’s also reflecting on the mystery man in Shadar Logoth where ‘their streams of balefire touched’ (that’s what we’re calling it now, eh?) and how the two of them seem to be able to see each other (and Lews who’s caught in the middle). Is it Moridin? Maybe, since True Power is mentioned. Lord ‘women think he’s handsome but surely not me because I’m a character written by an author who thought men calling me handsome without qualifiers was gay and was too repressed to think why that made him uncomfortable I guess’ Logain arrives with news from Andor (kudos to Rand for his Eureka moment that no, the Lion Throne wasn’t his to give) and specifically the Black Tower. On Rand’s order, Logain has been to send all Asha’man with bonded Aes Sedai to Illian and Arad Doman where they’re looking for either the diseappeared King Alsalam or someone else in charge. Taim had not taken the move well, especially as Logain had not shared Rand’s location, but he has increased the numbers of his special followers, building his own Black Tower within the Black Tower. Logain thinks this is something Rand ought to deal with right now, but Rand, not certain he can fully trust Logain either, says other things come first. They almost come to a shouting match about it before Cadsuane regrettably interrupts and scolds them both like naughty schoolboys. Verin notes that Tarmon Gai’don is practically at the door and Rand reminds everyone that no matter how unpopular his truce with the Seanchans, it’ll last only as long as he’s alive so everyone is welcome to go on fighting after he’s dead. We also get insight into the answer he got from the Aelfinn on how to win the Last Battle, the answer to which was ‘unite all’ which explains why he’s determined to forge that truce with the Seanchans. Add to that a prophecy about him bonding the Daughter of Nine Moons to him and… Well. It’ll be interesting.

Speaking of interesting, Loial’s mum, wife to be and teacher finally catch up to him. I’m particularly excited to get Loial pov finally! And even more excited to learn that all this talk about mothers and wives having the final say isn’t exaggeration but that Ogier truly have gone with female-led relationships. Absolutely outstanding, femdom ftw. Anyway, before we get to that, Loial does some procrastinating. Also, the chapter title illustrations are spoilery because the one for this one told me exactly what was to come. Anyway, Loial finally gathers his courage and goes to face the others, and immediately gets distracted by perving over Erith’s “curving and plump” ears. I mean YKINMK but you go get it. He does. The marriage is immediate (another thing that apparently wasn’t just a turn of phrase) and there’s some vaguely sexual nose-rubbing until the others interrupt with discussion of whether to stay or go. It also turns out that the Great Stump is about ‘opening the Book of Translation’ that seems to be code for ‘leaving these lands’, a notion Loial’s mother is in support. Erith, being the supportive domme she is, encourages Loial to address the Stump himself despite his public speaking anxiety. Loial even manages a little trial run about the importance of resisting the shadow, when all is interrupted by a massive herd of Trollocs running full tilt toward the manor. Grabbing conveniently stored Ogier-sized weapons from the wall, Loial runs off to warn the others.

Rand is ready to kick some ass but seizing the saidin still makes him dizzy af and when distracted… Lews takes control! Rand’s focus shifts to trying to prevent anyone else from realising what’s happened and persuading Lews to not just kill shadowspawn but also put out some fires to save people. He succeeds at first and fails at the second. Lews is, unsurprisingly, very good at the killing sending out Blossoms of Fire and Deathgates to burn and gobble up Trollocs and in doing so also teaching the weaves to Logain who is very much paying attention. Despite the size of the army, they are defeated but only because of the Asha’man and Aes Sedai in residence. Lews isn’t keen on letting go of OP once he has it and everyone in Rand’s vicinity has a clear ‘oh shit’ moment when they realise he’s pulling the maximum amount of power without explanation. Rand wins in the end, but only by promising Lews that they can die at Tarmon Gai’don.

Rand and co are surveying the aftermath of the battle, and the unavoidable and unavoidably gross clean-up although that’s made easier and quicker by OP pyres. There’s a letter from Verin saying she’s buggered off to better serve Rand somewhere else doing something she doesn’t feel like sharing, and to essentially trust no one. There’s also a disturbing amount of flies and viewing of some Saldaean bodies. Loial drops by to say he got married, Erith is in charge but he’ll defo be there for the Last Battle. Rand needs an Ogier to find all the rest of the Waygates and while Loial needs to recuperate in a stedding, Elder Haman volunteers. Bashere returns with the news that Suroth and ‘Daughter of the Nine Moons’ are willing to meet with Rand, though we of course know this is going to be a DF trap.

Nynaeve is resting from the healing and burning Trolloc corpses, while Lan is brooding about Tarmon Gai’don and how he should be at the Borderlands to prepare to meet it and not here. Nynaeve knows that it’s time for them to part, since her duty is with Rand but his is in Malkier, though she’s not happy about it. She extracts an oath that Lan will ride to Fal Moran first before entering the Blight and that he’ll let any man who wants to follow ride with him. There’s a goodbye kiss and Nynaeve then gateways Lan to the Borderlands as promised, but to the very Southern end of it because she has A Plan. What that Plan is, we learn from pov of a Malkieri merchant Aldragoran who is selling his jewels in an inn when Nynaeve sweeps in all Aes Sedai and Wife of the Uncrowned King, demanding to know if her husband will ride to Tarmon Gai’don on his own. And no, in a scene that gave me legit goosebumps, we hear that Lan will not be riding alone toward the Last Battle as the Golden Crane flies for Tarmon Gai’don. Nynaeve, you absolute legend.

Rand and co are popping over to visit Tear, thinly disguised. All is not well in the city as hunger and poverty are rife, in part due to the siege but mostly due to the Dark One just spoiling food like a petty bitch. Lews tries to offer an economics lesson but it’s not Rand’s priority. Steam engines have taken off and we witness some steamwagons clanking along (assume they will prove useful later). Tear is full of outlanders, including Seanchans, and now that Rand is there, ripples of chance are spreading as well so best get the visit done right quick. They rent a room at the inn near the Stone and gateway from there once Rand gets over a box related PTSD flashback. Using saidin still makes him nauseous and now also comes with a bonus psychic two-way connection to the mystery man from Shadar Logoth (who I assume is Ishmael/Moridin, though for someone lusting after Rand as hard as he is, he doesn’t seem too thrilled about this development either so who knows). The Heart of Stone is still guarded even though the Callandor is no longer there. The guards tell that the corridors are changing here as well, and Rand muses about the Pattern loosening and all of time and creation unravelling. Most interestingly, there is a change from passive ‘Tarmon Gai’don is happening’ to far more active musings on the right time to make it happen. Rand’s control issues are also mentioned. Following his link to Alanna, Rand finds the way to the room with her, Darlin who is caretaking the Tear for him, and Moiraine’s cousin Caraline. Disappointingly for all, the fool Weiramon and Anayiella (she’s one of the ones that almost decided to kill Rand when the occasion rose) are also there, and have sabotaged the negotiations with the rebels with their plundering, the fact that Rand is less than pleased about as he orders them back to Cairhien where he actually wanted them (safely out of the way). Bera Sedai comes is to say she’s successfully negotiated an agreement with the rebels that includes all their titles restored and Darlin as King of Tear. Rand has a minor tantrum about the titles thing but in the end it was well within the parameters he’d set for the negotiations, and after an OP smack to the bottom from Cadsuane he sees the wisdom of sticking to his word. Rand tells Darlin to accept the crown, gather everyone who knows how to hold a weapon and gateway to Arad Doman to get ready for Tarmon Gai’don.

We have an interlude aboard Atha’an Miere ships at Illian harbour where Harine din Togara has suffered greatly for the deal she made with Rand. As per Min’s viewing, she’s not the Mistress of the Ships yet (Zaida is) no matter that it’s her final destiny, and has barely kept her place among the First Twelve, most of whom are looking down their nose at her. They’ve gathered to receive a messenger from Rand, who turns out to be Logain. He refuses to tell where Rand is, but says that he could take Harine back as a representative, suggestion which no one is happy about, not even Harine who would not like to suffer under Cadsuane’s thumb any longer. Logain also says that the Coramoor wants all available Atha’an Miere vessels carrying supplies to more than a million people in Bandar Eban. Before the shock of that has failed, another comes on its heels. A Sailmistress arrives to bring the sad news that the folk of Tremalking (Amyar) and isles have been committing mass suicide, prompted by the melting of the Great Hand of Tremalking (i.e. part of one of the massive sa’angreal Rand and Nynaeve tapped into in their efforts to cleanse saidin) which marked the ‘End of Illusion’. I swear to god if this is just another trauma porn insert... No time for grieving or attempts of rescue because ships are needed for supplies

Another interlude in the rebel camp outside Tar Valon, and Romanda’s pov. We learn that she’s from Far Madding (does that mean she and Verin know each other?), loves romance novels and doesn’t approve of letting older women become novices. Nisao comes by to ask that Romanda speaks to Lelaine who has ordered Nisao to stop asking questions about the murdered sisters (both friends of Cabriane, name which rings an important bell in Romanda’s head.). Both she and Romanda have also come to the realisation that Egwene may just be the real deal. Theodrin brings news that Lelaine has called the Hall to sit so Romanda heads that way, observing Bryne and Siuan on the way, the families of novices and Delana and her suspected pillowfriend Halima too. We also learn that a lot of the older novices, including Sharina (who I predict will become First Weaver for Yellow Ajah in time) have a gift for the new way of healing, which at least gives Romanda a moment to reconsider her stance on the age issue. Lelaine is looking altogether too smug and calls for the discussion to be Sealed to the Hall. She trots out none other than Merise and her Asha’man Warder Jahar who has come to bring the proposal from Rand that any sister faithful to Egwene is allowed to bond an Asha’man up to total of 47. This is great news up until everyone learns the reason for a specific number is that there are already sisters bonded to Asha’man and it’s about evening the scales, although the fact that they had been Elaida’s lackeys does make it sting less. We also have a test of a weave from the Greens for spotting saidin being channeled, and Jahar says someone is listening in with saidin while Delane makes her excuses. Offer is accepted and Romanda finally puts Cabriane, the murders, Halima and Delana together and comes up with the right answer, but it’s unfortunately too late as they have managed to escape.

In what is possibly my favourite chapter in the entire book, Egwene is winning hearts and minds in the White Tower, although the regular strappings courtesy of Silviane are not making it easy. But Egwene is doing the whole ‘embrace the pain’ approach and sticking to her principles, walking the fine line. In between doing endless chores and demonstrating embarrassing competency in classes and of course being beaten up by Silviana, she is making good progress. She gains the novices respect by comforting and advising them on everything from pillow-friend troubles to the dead walking about. She gets private classes with sisters, some of whom she’s able to draw into actual conversation, showing e.g. that she knows about the secret histories (which is Amyrlin only knowledge), and generally observing the division and factions in the Tower and seeing ways to use them to her advantage. Laras the cook is an ally of sorts as well. Egwene visits Leane regularly, in the cells where she’s held in captivity and having long persuasive conversations with whomever sticks around for them. Seeds against Elaida are sown everywhere, made easier by how fertile she and Alviarin have made the soil. Speaking of Alviarin, she tries to talk Egwene into asking for help to escape several times but thankfully Egwene is not taking that bait. She also manages to set Mattin Stepanos straight on Rand’s intentions, and reel Beonin back to obeying her oath by making sure that her earlier conviction that Egwene was no longer the Amyrlin is shattered and gives her instructions to pass on to the rebel spies, i.e. the conversation topics she wants them bring up. Blessedly, Egwene also notices that she no longer has them strange headaches… Really hope she finds the truth about Halima at some point. Egwene is winning the war, getting a full ‘captain my captain’ treatment from the novices.

Tarna the reluctant Keeper is pondering on which Red Sisters might be amenable to bonding Asha’man, and observes Elaida toying with Meidani (who we know is trying to rekindle their relationship on BA hunters’ orders… if I remember correctly!). Tarna has little in way of good news. The work at the harbour is going slowly, and Elaida’s answer to that is order penances to the sitters whose Ajahs fail to send enough willing sisters to help. She’s also drinking too much and orders Egwene to come and serve her evening meal (annoyed that we apparently need to wait until the next book to get this scene!).

Mat and co are heading toward Murandy, paused for a meal and a pipe (lit by Aludra’s marvellous matches). Mat is being a stubborn ass about healing and trying to hide his infected wounds from the Maredin attack. Apparently, Mat letting a poisonous snake go because it wasn’t a threat, is the final straw for Tuon who promptly tells him he can kiss her. Honestly, outstanding of her. Mat gives her a respectful peck to which Tuon demands to know if she reminds him of her sister or mother, after which Mat smooches her properly and both of them get a bit breathless. Tuon, however, is soon distracted by the fact that Mat is clearly burning up from infection and sets about making that right with ointments. Before we get to that, Vanin returns to the camp with none other than Talmenes in tow. He brings news about Egwene really being the Amyrlin, the deal he’d struck with King Roedran, and also that most of the Band of the Red Hand is here and oh, also it’s considerably larger now. Introductions are made. The bad news is that the Damonas pass they’d been planning to use to get to Murandy is buried under a landslide and there’s no other easy way through the mountains.

Whilst Mat is plotting a way forward, we finally get Tuon’s pov again. She sure enjoyed the kiss, and is still trying to puzzle out exactly who Mat is, working her way through the sigils of fox in his ring and the red hand. Sadly, she’s still also clinging to the ‘all OP users must be leashed’ thinking and also doesn’t believe in ta’veren being a thing when Thom explains it to her. Mat is greeted warmly and with more than a little awe and respect by his men. And of course the Jak ‘o the Shadows song. Observing all of this, and less than happy about the existence of excellent maps and excellent knowledge of Seanchan troops, Tuon gets some more intel about Mat from his men and comes to the conclusion that he’s more of a lion than she ever thought. Ngl, everything about Tuon and Mat feeds my competency kink.

Elsewhere, Perrin is busy executing his plan of turning Malden’s water supply into forkroot tea. Why they didn’t first brew strong tea and then pour that into the cold water rather than just dump in leaves, I don’t know, but here we are. In terms of timeline we learn that it’s been fifty-four days since Faile and co were taken. Wolves are also involved in the plot, and Perrin is also sending a good amount of people, including some of the Aes Sedai and their Warders, Faile’s society, and a lot of Two Rivers men into the Malden itself, sneaking in via the aqueducts. Gaul’s going in to try and, well, not release but get Chiad anyways. Grady and the other Asha’man are exhausted from all the gateway making, and also failing to convince the Seachan allies’ damane that being free would be a fine thing. Back at the camp, Perrin finds Berelain and co waiting (Aram is sent away sulking) to share the news that Whitecloaks have been spotted, suspected to be a rebel faction, the one led by Galad, who they somehow know had killed Valda. Big groups of Aiel are heading their way as well. The ripple of reality reaches all of them as well, but Perrin is wholly fixated on getting Faile back. So much so that he’s promised all the Shaido OP uses as damane to the Seanchan in return for their help. Tsk.

In the Shaido camp, Faile has been taking beatings and getting oaths of fealty at a steady pace. Rolan is looking to play some kissing games but Faile has no time for that, not now that she has the rod Galina wants. They agree to meet in town in the morning where Faile will hand over the rod and Galina will take her and the others with her. Though we know that only one of those things will happen, of course.

In Altara, Rand is riding to a meeting with who he thinks is the Daughter of Nine Moons and knows is probably a trap regardless. Bashere agrees, and thankfully no one is walking in blinded and indeed all the Aes Sedai are holding power though hiding it on approach. There’s also new Aes Sedai and Asha’man couples bonds, which is kind of adorable. All is too quiet on the way to the meeting place. Nynaeve’s and Cadsuane’s channelling detection ter’angreal reveal that at least one of the Seanchan women meeting them is indeed channelling so they know to disrupt it when they get close enough… Revealing Semirhage! She clearly panics having her trap laid bare, flings a fireball at Rand who can’t jump aside as he’s protecting Min and therefore tries to deflect with saidin… and loses a hand in the process. Ouch. Everyone else takes that worse than Rand who has muted his emotional responses to a dangerous degree and only shrugs and says he’ll have to learn the sword again. Semirhage and all the sul’dam-damane pairings have been shielded, the latter aghast when they learn they’ve been manipulated by one of the Forsaken impersonating as Suroth’s truthspeaker. Nynaeve heals Rand’s hand the best she can but it’s obviously still a stump. He also lies about the fact that the explosion damaged his eyes in some way. Semirhage is taking her captivity surprisingly calmly, but also lets the Lews cat out of Rand’s brain bag, telling everyone that he’s conversing with the voice of his past life and that the result is ‘terminal madness’. Cheery. They find the male a’dam in a box and it didn’t come even close to Rand’s neck which is extremely anticlimactic for something that seemed like it was set as a much bigger plot device. Maybe there’s still time…

Elsewhere Mat is fighting an ugly battle (it’s ugly cos he has to fight it), killing Seanchans very efficiently by luring them into a trap when he’s not trying to get more kisses out of Tuon or trying to stop her and Aes Sedai from being at each others’ throats. They do have one thing in common though and that’s being constantly surprised by Mat’s competency, which is kind of insulting to him.

In Malden, the day of Faile and co’s escape dawns. They are almost immediately betrayed by a snitching gai’shain but efficiently tie her up and enlist Chiad and Bain’s help in hiding her until they are away. They are also almost caught because everyone who has sworn loyalty to Faile decides to come say goodbye which obviously looks a bit sus. Faile promises to come back to them, sends them on their way, and then finally she, Maighdin, Alliandre, Lacile and Arrela are on their way to the city to meet with Galina. They’ve timed it early enough that no one else is really around yet, but even so it’s soon obvious that things are quieter than they should be (which, we know, is because of the forkroot water). Galina meets them in a ramshackle house on the edge of collapsing, which it does with some help from Galina once she’s gotten the oath rod and is content to leave the others to die. Alas they don’t but they are effectively trapped and unable to dig themselves out lest the house finishes the job. Their only hope is Maighdin whose little OP ability is just enough to make the red cloth tied to the outside wave in a way to catch attention. Meanwhile, Galina realises Perrin is coming but thinks she’s free and clear.

Perrin is ready to storm Malden, well there’s a good amount of sneaking involved as well and OP fog etc. Annoyingly, Masema has brought his men to take part in the fight even though Perrin really wanted them to be elsewhere, preferably on the path of fleeing Shaido, but Masema wants to stick close to Perrin for his own reasons. At least he manages to send Gil and Lini away with the supplies. Perrin gets a ta’veren update on Rand’s hand situation. In Malden, one of Faile’s followers has spotted the banner and help is coming in the form of Rolan and co. Perrin has called for some reinforcements from the Two Rivers and many have come, including the new settlers, all led by Tam. It’s good to see him. Taim’s recruiting has reached Two Rivers too, and he’s brought the news that Rand is the Dragon Reborn, which Perrin confirms, much to Tam’s sadness. I really hope he gets to hug his boy soon. As an aside, I’m getting really annoyed that no one believes that saidin is cleansed, and those that do don’t believe it was Rand and Nynaeve who did it. Anyway, Perrin’s plan is for Tam to take Faile and co back to Two Rivers once freed, which I really can’t believe she’s going to be pleased with.

Battle ensues. Forkroot has worked and Shaido only have a couple of functional OP users left, and with the combined forces of Seanchan, Perrin and co, the Two Rivers and of course the wolves, the outcome can be predicted. Meanwhile, Rolan and co have managed to get Faile and co out from the under the rubble for the price of some casual groping. They emerge to see the battle going on. Maighdin has some forkroot laced water and promptly collapses. Not too far on the other side of the city gates, Perrin is heading toward Faile like a wrecking ball. Unfortunately, and much to my personal displeasure (that’s putting it mildly, I WAS SO FUCKING MAD ABOUT THIS) one of the obstacles he rans into is Aram, who has gone full of paranoid thanks to Masema’s poisoning and bought the story of Perrin being a DF and now is determined to kill him to protect Faile. That goes about as well as you imagined. And then, as if making Perrin kill Aram wasn’t enough, we also have him seeing an Aiel holding Faile by the arm and jumping straight to the ‘he must be hurting her, kill him' conclusion and hammering Rolan down as well. This whole scene was an absolute fucking shit show, what a fucking waste of two interesting characters, THERE WERE OTHER WAYS TO RESOLVE THOSE PLOTLINES THAN DEATH. The margins of those pages are Very Full of Very Angry scribblings. Anyway, Perrin and Faile are at least reunited and I get the impression Faile is not going to even tell him that the man he killed was actually helping her. Galina being BA is revealed. Gaul rushes off to find Chiad. Tallanvor is also reunited with the currently unconscious Maighdin/Morgase. Tylee has captured Sevanna, who it seems has a new experience of servitude and spankings to look forward to. Seanchans have collared the Shaido OP users. Introductions are made all around. It does seem that some of the Shaido escaped and Therava is leading them back to the Three-Fold Land. She’s also picked up Galina on the way and her dream of freedom is shattered permanently.

In Caemlyn, Kinswomen are still being killed. An advisor from Elaida arrives and tries to take Elayne in hand with little success, though it seems like she’ll cause trouble in the future. Norry’s cutpurse has finally managed to follow Mellar though and brings news of the house on Full Moon Street that he visits, and the women in there, who Elayne recognises as some of the very same Black Ajah sisters she was sent to hunt all that time ago. That’s enough for her to get Mellar arrested (very disappointed we don’t get to see this). Birgitte and Aes Sedai are gathered and plans are afoot to go and arrest the BA and DF Shiaine asap. The plan is essentially for Elayne, Vandene, linked to Sareitha and Careane (because one or both of them could also be BA) to go into the house and snatch them up while their Warders wait outside. After some debate, that’s exactly what they do. And it would’ve worked as well if there hadn’t been four other BA waiting for them. Everyone is shielded right quick and killed even quicker, except for Elayne who has a price on her head. Absolute waste of good characters again, though at least we learn that it was Careane who was BA (also Vandene manages to knife her first so there’s that).

Whilst the Warders whose Aes Sedai had been killed are going berserk and throwing themselves at the house, Birgitte knows Elayne is alive and to keep her that way, a plan is needed. She gets back to the palace, confers with Dyelin, Gyubon and the underage Heads of Houses to mount a rescue mission. Amidst all of this the word comes that the Houses who have remained neutral so far are heading toward Caemlyn, while Arymilla’s attacks are increasing in intensity. As they are leaving, a word comes of the mercenary companies having changed loyalties, though not all of them. Essentially, the fighting is already at the city gates and everything is happening all at once. Birgitte sends some of the troops to hold the Gates while she takes others to rescue Elayne, the Warder bond conveniently telling her where she is. She tricks the Windfinders into making a gateway for the rescue mission because she needs OP users with her, and while they are not supposed to take part in fighting, they are forced to it to protect Elayne because the bargain for a piece of land is with her and anyone else on Andor’s throne is not going to honour it. The fight is short but brutal and at the end of it the BA are captured and Elayne released. Briefly, she considers making Gyubon her third Warder (after Birgitte and Rand) and honestly, good for her.

They gather the remaining troops (butcher’s bill was high for this one) and take Arymilla’s troops from the rear. It… works, somewhat surprisingly. But Elayne’s troops have Arymilla’s hemmed in on both sides now and in the end they surrender. Like I predicted, Sylvase pledges House Caeren to Elayne as soon as possible, since she’s now the Head as her grandfather has suffered a stroke (I have a feeling it was… somewhat assisted). Two other Houses flip to Elayne, giving her nine out of the necessary ten.

Elsewhere Karede, Tuon’s Deathwatch Guard General (Banner-General? Ranks are confusing) is catching up. He stops for a cup of kaf and some intelligence with one of the Seanchan battalions, learning about Mat’s success in killing, though he thinks it’s probably actually Thom who is maybe Bashere or Ituralde in disguise sent by the White Tower to kidnap Tuon. So… his intelligence is a little skewed, but he trying.

In Caemlyn, Elayne is preparing to receive the recalcitrant houses with as much grace as she can muster. They’ve come ostensibly to talk about the Borderlanders. Dyelin is certain she doesn’t want to be queen because Elayne will make a better one. Spies have been found but will be retained. Questioning of the DF prisoners is closing slowly because Elayne is refusing to use torture at least for the moment. Elayne endures a midwife visit although at least she’s getting proper meals now. Finally, Elayne and the underage Heads of Houses meet the visitors. Some words are had, and Ellorien tries to goad everyone. Elayne makes it clear that she, as an Aes Sedai not as the Daughter-Heir, gave the Borderlanders a permission to cross to Andor since they were intent on finding Rand. She also freely admits that she can’t do anything about Black Tower except remind them that they are in Andor. Somehow it’s these two things that push the remaining houses to declare for Trakand. Elayne has the throne. And the rest of it may be ‘fluff and feathers’ but dammit if we don’t get a fancy coronation scene to make up for all this misery I’m going to be so annoyed.

Karede finally catches up with Mat’s company and asks to be taken to see Thom, encountering a domestic scene of a rather disparate group of people socialising. The Aes Sedai are appalled over Mylen, former AS, now fully socialised into the role of obedient damane. Karede keeps ignoring Mat until it’s pointed to him that he is in fact the one in charge and when he is pleased to finally have someone safe to whom hand Tuon over. Tuon, of course, is not going to go without the last word, which is to declare Mat her husband, completing the ritual. Absolutely outstanding. Loved it. They also finally share their mutual foretellings. Before Tuon can depart though, some of the Seanchan, fuelled by the false rumours that Tuon is just someone impersonating her and the hefty price on her head, are coming. But never fear, Mat has a plan involving Aludra’s dragon eggs, his and Karede’s combined troops, and a trap ready to spring. It works and there is a close call and much killing, but in the end it’s Mat, oh, I’m sorry, Prince of Ravens (lol, he hates it so much) and co who emerge victorious.

Epilogue sure is eventful as well. Suroth’s day goes from bad to worse as first Arad Doman fighting against Ituralde is going very badly and then Tuon returns, very much alive and head of Suroth’s man in a sack as proof that it had been her who betrayed Tuon. A life of servitude awaits. In Andor, Pevara and a small contingent of Red Sisters enter the Black Tower to see Taim, to suggest to her the bonding of Asha’man as Warders. I fully expected them to be killed but Taim seems to think that it will be a great source for chaos and gives his go-ahead with a phrase that surely confirms him as a DF.

Phew, the end!

 


***



Well, Sanderson keeps his prologue to an accessible length; only about 30 pages in my hardback, practically modest, though he does managed to pack five povs in there, which is impressive. We start with Renald, a farmer in the Borderlands who senses a storm coming, the kind that no one’s ever seen before. His foreboding is validated by the fact that his old pal the blacksmith has taken his family and is riding off to join an army gathering in the north, one that will have use for blacksmiths. He urges Renald to do the same and Renald promptly sets up to making arms out of farming tools in preparation. Elsewhere we pick up exactly where we left off with Rand and co, in the pov of Falendre one of the captured sul’dam, who Rand tasks to take a message to the Daughter of Nine Moons that he still desires a meeting, despite what happened with Semirhage. Falendre promises to do that though doesn’t specify how quickly. Oh dear. Elsewhere still, Tylee Khirgan, newly raised to Low Blood thanks to her success with the Shaido, is reflecting on the nature of change when her troops are attacked by Trollocs. Over in Arad Doman, Graendal gets an invite to watch while Moridin declares Semirhage deserves her capture and gets some sympathy pains from Rand’s loss of a hand. We also get a hint that Demandred holds a crown somewhere and since there aren’t too many of those left, I am curious. Graendal is told not to let Rand bring peace to Arad Doman. It certainly isn’t peaceful there now, as we jump into Ituralde’s pov outside the city of Darluna, where he is about to hammer the Seanchan troops against the city walls. Finally, Masema comes to the end of his delusions, and his life, and finds Faile there, and her knife.

The epiphanous wind that blows at the start of every book, provides us a handy ‘lay of the land’ summary of Tar Valon and the rebels outside it, before taking us to Arad Doman to catch up with Rand and his persistent efforts to purge himself of all emotions. He too is brooding on the storm, what with the flags and trees bowing in wrong direction, and also contemplating once more how much the women he loves and who love him would regret doing such a thing. Oh Rand. Semirhage is in Cadsuane’s care, the male a’dam locked away, and Rand is pondering on exactly how he’s going to seal the Dark One’s prison now that he’s so very obviously breaking free. Cadsuane comes in to say that they’re getting nowhere questioning Semirhage, especially as Rand has forbidden them to torture her. Rand is getting paranoid of everyone, more or less convinced that given the chance Egwene would put him in a collar to control him. Lews is being unhelpful when it comes to the detail of what he did last time about imprisoning the Dark Lord so Rand has a little shouting match with him, out loud.

In the White Tower, Egwene’s beatings have continued but actually, her morale has absolutely improved. Physical pain ain’t nothing to seeing the divisions in the Tower and how Elaida is pulling Aes Sedai apart. Plus, the regular visits to the Mistress of Novices give Egwene plenty of time to have conversations with Silviana. She also challenges the Reds watching over her with ‘are you proud of this’ which is a boss move. The corridors in White Tower are shifting too, which has everyone on edge. Egwene is ordered to attend to Elaida and Meidani for dinner, and she decides that the only way to neither submit nor get herself summarily executed is to maintain a silence. It is difficult to control her rage though when she sees the ostentatious decorations, the way Blue Ajah has just been disbanded, and how Elaida toys with Meidani, threatening to strip her shawl. Elaida is also dismissing the Seanchan threat, and talking about adding a fourth oath that demands absolute obedience to the Amyrlin. That proves too much for Egwene who drops mushroom soup all over the rugs on purpose, but under the guise of cleaning it manages to have a chat with Meidani, reminding her that she, not Elaida, is her Amyrlin and telling her to send for Egwene for instruction so they can talk properly. Egwene is sent back for more beatings but the encounter with Elaida resulted in inner peace, realisation that Elaida was completely capable of self-destructing and Egwene’s job was to keep the Tower together in the aftermath. That unlocks the Aiel ‘embracing the pain’ trick and she’s laughing away while Silviana beats her. I love her.

In Arad Doman, Aviendha is observing refugees along with Rhuarc and other clan chiefs. She is struggling with change of identity and change of perspective, no longer a Maiden, not yet a Wise One (or so she thinks), and also starting to see value in the wetlander style leadership after time spent with Elayne. She is determined to gain honour so she can go to Rand as an equal, but it’s difficult when the Wise Ones aren’t even teaching her any more, just assigning useless work as punishment and she can’t even ask why because she needs to figure it out herself. My theory = she is already a Wise One and needs to realise it and own it. The Aiel chiefs are frustrated as Rand’s order to secure peace in Arad Doman is not so easily achieved since almost no one seems to be in charge anymore and people aren’t going to react easily to foreigners trying to do that. The Wise Ones are asking Aviendha pointed questions in an effort to try to show her that she already has the wisdom needed for the position, which she doesn’t see despite speaking the core truth of how Rand is mistaking hardness for strength.

Gawyn is finally starting to see the light, praise be. And by that I mean, he and his Younglings have been busy harrying Bryne’s troops and keeping from being seen, but in the meanwhile Gawyn has had plenty of time to reflect on whether or not he chose the right side in all of this (spoiler alert: he did not), especially as it’s clear that Elaida has no interest in keeping them alive.

Rand, meanwhile, is falling further into the whole ‘what I want doesn’t matter anymore’ and ‘soldiers should obey me, I am the king’ mindset, which is really painful to watch. There are some ta’veren news hour vision updates, can’t wait for him to learn that the ‘small dark woman’ with Mat was the Daughter of Nine Moons herself the whole time, that’s going to be fun. Anyway, Harine (of Atha’an Miere) is back (against her will I gather) and Rand almost blows his casket at her because the their ships are taking longer to arrive than he’d like. She explains that the ships aren’t fucking magic and have to get through seas thick with Seanchans, and for now Rand sees reason. He learns that Atha’an Miere give men who can channel a choice of jumping into the sea with a rock tied to their legs or being left on an unhabitable island to die slowly, and tells them to stop that immediately. In exchange Rand owes Harine one answer to a question she’ll think about for later. Rand’s mood is not improved by the fact that most people still don’t believe saidin is cleansed, which I understand because it’s fucking annoying me too. He and Lews are melding together like two ice-cream cones dropped onto hot pavement, becoming one fully integrated sticky puddle of power and insanity, and honestly? Very sexy of them. The Aiel arrive.

Cadsuane is observing the fruitless questioning of Semirhage, who mostly either ignores everyone or shares gruesome tales of all the different ways she’s tortured people. Cadsuane is frustrated and feeling her years, and finds some disturbing likeness between Semirhage and herself, which will offer a key to breaking her.

Outside Darluna, Ituralde is surveying the aftermath of butchering the Seanchan troops. He exchanges some words with the defeated and half-dead Seanchan general before killing him.

In White Tower, Leane’s nightly visit with Egwene comes to a dramatic end when the cell around her and even the stone floor under her feet starts to just… melt. Everyone survives that particularly bubble of evil, though as Egwene reminds everyone, they are about to get more regular. On her way back to the novices’ quarters, Egwene realises that they have just clean swapped place with Brown Ajah’s rooms.

Back in Arad Doman, Nynaeve’s weather sense gives us a tentative countdown to either the big storm or the Last Battle, possibly both: ten days folks. She is getting lessons from Daigian, learning the hundred weaves every Aes Sedai needs to know, and while she is dismissive of those lessons, she does learn something about grief and how it must be lived, not erased. She is also having some rather radical ideas that maybe strength in OP isn’t the best foundation for hierarchy. Nynaeve spots that the Aiel have arrived and hurries to follow Cadsuane to be sure she’s part of the discussions. We have evidence of personal growth also, as Nynaeve actually acknowledges the challenge of letting go of her prejudices. She also observes the regrettable changes in Rand and tries to have a word with Aviendha but now is not the place. Rand is unnecessarily curt, bordering on rude, with the Aiel chiefs and it’s only Cadsuane’s reminder that stops him from full on insulting his closest allies. It’s really not going well for his mental health, is it? Bael and Rhuarc explain in small words why Rand’s ‘bring order to Arad Doman’ is easier said than done especially as their king is nowhere to be found. Rand/Lews (…Raws?) thinks Graendal probably has him. Rand’s answer to the problem is to tell the Aiel to find and ‘secure’ (=kidnap) the Council of Merchants so that they can select a new king pronto. Simples.

In the rebel camp, Siuan is working hard at distracting Lelaine from her ambitions to set herself up as Egwene’s natural heir. The problem is, Lelaine seems to be winning. Siuan is also indignant over her suggestion to buy her out of her debt to Bryne. On the positive side, Siuan is starting to accept her feelings for him and contemplate life beyond ensuring the Dragon Reborn makes it to the Last Battle. Even more positively, she and Bryne actually talk like grownups and she properly explains the reason she couldn’t fulfil her oath in the first instance and he agrees that actually yes, saving the world had to come first and no, he wouldn’t have believed her at the time if she’d told him. Halle-fucking-lujah. And to make things even better, Siuan has a Tel’aran’rhiod meeting with Egwene and finally tells her about Halima, omfg you don’t understand how relieved I am. She also shares the news about the Asha’man and Aes Sedai mutual bonding frenzy (ngl, I'm picturing this like a fucking salmon run, you're welcome for that image), and about Lelaine’s ploy which is to set herself up as the most loyal servant of Amyrlin. Egwene takes the first better than expected and is downright gleeful about the latter, as it’s a ploy that only works if Egwene dies.

Perrin is keeping himself busy by inspecting some wagons, and receiving petitions. The whole camp is in a hurry to get as far away from Malden as possible. And Perrin is doing a very good job of avoiding his own thoughts. Whilst he is ecstatic to have Faile back, achieving the goal he’s been single-mindedly focused on for such a long time is inevitably followed by a hollow feeling of lacking purpose. The good thing is that he’s finally starting to see that his ‘nothing matters but getting Faile back’ mentality had come with a cost and he hadn’t exactly been a good leader to his people, including Aram (ngl, I wrote ‘TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE’ in the margins but these are just my issues). Anyway, Arganda wants to leave immediately and take his queen with him. Perrin says no, everyone is going to go together or not at all. Gallenne wants to attack the remaining Shaido but Perrin points out that they don’t have the Seanchan anymore so cool it. Balwer brings news of the fact that Shaido had had dealings with the Forsaken, and he would very much like to look for the objects they’d provided. Perrin says no can do, we be going. He is also, thankfully, fully accepting of whatever Faile had to do to survive, which honestly makes the whole Rolan thing even worse. Tam pops over to provide some gentle fatherly advice in guise of carefully put questions, noting that people will follow Perrin to the Last Battle, himself include. Faile has been organising the refugees with Aravine in charge of them, many of whom want to stay with them for the safety. Perrin decides that he needs to shift his focus to helping Rand, who is pulling him toward him once more.

Ituralde’s defeat of the Seanchans doesn’t come without retaliation, and now he and his troops are hiding in a stedding, digging in for a confrontation that will surely wipe them out. Running isn’t really an option as they are caught between the Seanchans and the Aiel. Enter Rand. He shows up, all ‘I am the Dragon Reborn’ and ‘would you like to be a king?’ and ‘what would you do with a hundred men who could channel’ and ‘btw amma gonna drop you off in Saldea’ and honestly, Ituralde is not a stupid man so… Guess that’s them under the dragon banner now.

Aviendha is in the middle of another useless punishment, carrying rocks from one pile to the next, when she witnesses a spontaneous human combustion of one of the soldiers. Though guess it’s not spontaneous when it has evil origins. She channels water straight out of the river to deal with the fire and with the help of an Asha’man, they put it out. Rand rages at the sky briefly and fails to actually talk to Aviendha. Aviendha herself still fails to see the lesson even though another Wise One leads her through pointed questions that demonstrate the depth of her understanding of the complex politics and strategic thinking. C’mon girl!

In White Tower, Egwene is ruminating on having let one of the Forsaken give her massages. She is off to her instructions. First is a Brown Sister who gets some thinly disguised advice from her on how to deal with the fact that her questions about the secret histories have landed her in some hot water with the leaders of her Ajah. Egwene advises that she should just make herself the caretaker of the secrets. She also dispenses advice to some other sisters, suggesting that it’s time to make amends and start healing the fissures between Ajahs, and gets an offer to join the Yellow Ajah. Finally meeting with Meidani, Egwene observes her love of travel and figures out that the reason Meidani can’t tell her why she hasn’t yet fled the Tower has to do with oaths. Egwene asks her to show her instead. One quick lesson in travelling later and the two of them gateway to the basement where the BA hunters are gathered. I am ecstatic that Egwene is now aware of this operation as well, especially as Egwene skilfully argues against all their claims that she isn’t the Amyrlin, including pointing out that since the last Amyrlin was deposed by a bare minimum of votes and one of those turned out to belong to a Sitter since revealed as Black Ajah, the whole business was wholly unlawful. Very, very clever.

Gawyn is still angsting, and doing some sword training while at it. Which brings me to: have we considered that maybe Gawyn can channel too? He is Elayne’s brother and there does seem to be some genetic factor to this. Anyway, Gawyn gets an offer to be bonded but refuses. He gets rejected from being part of the planning with the Aes Sedai. Most importantly, however, he gets the news that Egwene is the Amyrlin and is captured. Disappointingly, he jumps straight to the ‘oh no the poor naïve girl who was manipulated, I must save her’ which… Well, can’t wait for him to be set straight abut that, is all I’m saying. Also, I hope he doesn’t fuck things up by trying to rescue her. Anyway, the upside is that this is what finally gives Gawyn the necessary nudge to leave.

Sorilea has come to inspect Semirhage and her comment about how human she seems, gives Cadsuane ideas. We also learn that she is keeping the a’dam in order to test it, the same way she’d tested the female a’dam on herself. Obviously nothing bad can come of that. Sorilea and Cadsuane agree that Rand is harder and therefore worse and in no shape or form ready for the Last Battle, and put their heads together to try and come up with a solution.

Rand and Ishamael-Moridin’s special bond pulls both of them to their secret dream love shack where the roaring fire of tortured souls and tension-filled conversation awaits. So romance. Anyway, Rand figures out who the mystery man in Shadar Logoth is and is understandably irate that no matter how well he hammers the Forsaken down, they just keep popping back up like the world’s worst whack’a mole game. Well, unless you use balefire. Which, we will find, Rand is increasingly willing to do. Anyway, Moridin shares his frankly depressing philosophy where the victory of the good will always only lead to another battle, and only the victory of evil will ensure the constant fighting will come to a permanent end. In the waking world, Min is observing Rand thrash about in the grips of the nightmare. She has been studying Herid Fel’s texts, trying to figure out what he’d been about to tell Rand before his untimely demise. When Rand awakens she tries to convince him to share his burdens while he explains how he needs Lews so that he doesn’t repeat his mistakes. Min says that her reading suggests that in order to reseal the Dark One's prinson, and this time permanently, Rand first needs to destroy the existing seals. That one is obviously going to go down well with everyone. She also has a vision that very much suggests Rand will die in some way. Out in the camp, Aviendha is despairing at her punishments but not yet figured out their purpose despite the increasingly strong hints from the Wise Ones. Word comes that the Seanchan are willing to meet, but also that they have several Aiel Wise Ones on a leash (thanks to Perrin’s deal), which does not sit well with the Aiel here.

In the White Tower, Egwene is cracking nuts for the White sisters who are testing her by asking how she would’ve handled the Dragon Reborn as an Amyrlin. She of course has a good answer that, not so subtly explaining how the time is to work with, not deal with, men who can channel, Rand included. She also points out that the first step toward ensuring success at the Last Battle is to mend the broken Tower, and maybe the Whites should consider having lunch with sisters from other Ajahs to start with. She gets an offer to join the White for her logic. The bad news from the Reds, however, is that Egwene’s freedom is coming to an end as the new orders are for her to do nothing but chores, no more instruction with sisters and therefore no more opportunities to sow seeds of doubt. First up is cleaning the kitchen fireplace, during which Laras the cook offers to hide her and then help her escape the Tower, which Egwene refuses. Scrubbing is soon interrupted by summons to serve Elaida at a meal that night. Egwene does not expect to find a group of sisters and Sitters there, from all Ajahs. Elaida’s purpose is to bully them into obedience and show off Egwene at the same time. The atmosphere is tense, to say the least. Elaida dismisses negotiations with the rebels, and threat from the Seanchans. The latter Egwene can’t stand and confrontation is inevitable, with Egwene refusing to kneel, exposing Elaida’s idea for the new oath of obedience and out-debating her about role of the Amyrlin and way to handle the Dragon Reborn. On top it all she calls her a coward and says that even the Dark One would be embarrassed to associate with her, which, wow, savage af. As a result Elaida beats her bloody with OP and accuses her of being a DF, all which Egwene bears with calmness and all which, more importantly, is witnessed by the others. Egwene is arrested and thrown to cells. This is maybe my favourite scenes in this book so far.

Cadsuane is back to listening to the ineffective interrogation of Semirhage and contemplating Rand’s slide toward emotional detachment. Semirhage refuses her lunch and Cadsuane has an Eureka moment about how to break her, marches in and turns her over her knee and gives her a spanking in front of witnesses. Now. I agree that the core argument – they needed to stop treating her with awe – is a solid one, but the method… Sanderson didn’t have to continue with Jordan’s spanking kink but he did, and I’m just… tired.

So are the Asha’man with Perrin. They explain how they won’t be able to hold more than a small gateway for a limited amount of time and there are so many refugees that moving them that way would take days. Perrin is also doing some excellent self-reflection, realising the harms of his single-minded pursue of Faile, how it had also been a convenient excuse to put aside the task Rand had sent him on. He decides to return to Wolf Dream for some advice.

Siuan is off to do some laundry when she observes a surprise meeting of the Hall. They have learned that Elaida has travelling, thanks to some money collections that they’d been due but that had already been picked up by Elaida’s sisters. Siuan sends a warning to Bryne’s troops since no one else seems to think to do it. She has some time for self-recrimination re the divisions in the Tower before Sharina (the grandmother novice) interrupts to tell that Lelaine had let the news re travelling spread and create panic on purpose, to put herself in position to soothe it. Sharina well knows what the fate of her and other novices like her, will be if Egwene doesn’t return.

In Ebou Dar, Tuon is dealing with the death of the Imperial family, the inevitable civil war brewing on Seanchan and bound to hit these shores soon, and Suroth’s betrayal. Her job now is to bring order to chaos. Selucia is named her Truthspeaker and her Voice. Audience is held. First up is King Beslan, to whom Tuon explains that she knows all about the planned rebellion but because he’s doing it for his people and not out of lust for power, she'll offer him a choice of honourable death by execution or honourable life, serving his people as a member of High Blood, King of Altara, with none but the Empress herself above him. Oh and also, if Suroth was responsible for his mother’s death, he’ll get a very nice apology. He accepts, because he’s not an idiot, previous evidence to the contrary. Next up, Rand’s invitation to a meeting and much strategizing whether to do that or whether to mount a blitz attack on the White Tower to secure more damane and possibly risk angering Rand in the process. Before Tuon commits to the attack, however, Tylee (whoo, glad she made it) comes in, bearing some rotten Trolloc heads as proof that an army of the creatures is headed their way. Now would be a good time to forge alliances.

On a road somewhere (honestly, I’ve lost track, but apparently so have they) aiming toward Caemlyn, Mat is going on a long monologue about women and marriage in an extended metaphor about dicing. It’s all a bit tedious and boils down to the fact that he misses Tuon but doesn’t want to admit to it, and also has some feelings about this whole Prince of Ravens bit. Talmanes winds him up some. Vanin has finally figured out where the fuck they are and even found a village, good for him. The Aes Sedai want to press on much faster but Mat is not willing to leave the Band behind, and he’s not polite about it.

Perrin is catching up with Hopper in the Wolf Dream, but failing to heed his advice. Perrin is all about finding the balance and not losing control of his wolf side, when the trick I assume is the same as with saidar; to surrender to it, to stop fighting it, and through that direct it. Faile is not blind to her husband’s current crisis and is planning a good old shouting match to clear the air, good for her. However, while he’s running around with dream wolves, she sneaks out to meet with the other women who had been captives with her. She too has learned a lot during the last couple of months about being a lady and serving her people. Gaul now has both Bain and Chiad as his gai’shain, the man just can’t catch a break lol. The women are holding funeral rites of sorts, to the people who helped them in Malden and died for it, some at their hand, some at Perrin’s, not that Faile plans on ever telling him about Rolan. Or Masema, for that matter. There are some pretty words about how sometimes you have to do what you have to do, and how sometimes there aren’t good choices, which I don’t disagree with as such but it’s just that on this particular occasion there definitely were other solutions but I guess they were just too queer to consider (yes, I am still mad about Aram and Rolan, ask me another question).

Semirhage’s fortunes are about to change, though only momentarily. She’s ruminating over her spanking when Shaidar Haran (remember him, the Myrdraal with a name, possibly the Dark One’s own meat suit) pops in to release her while Elza deals with the sisters holding her shield. Importantly, she also hands Elza the male a’dam, which apparently even has a fancy name: the Domination Band. Now. Uh. Mmm-hmm. Right. For sure.

Rand is in the Borderlands where Ituralde’s troops are setting camp in Saldea. Bashere is thinking his queen wouldn’t be best pleased about that but then again his queen is riding circles somewhere in Andor, looking for Rand, which, honestly, is a plot point that needs to be resolved soon. Feel sorry for those rulers, everyone else is getting to have exciting adventure time with Rand and they’re just blundering about. Anyway, Rand and co ride out to inspect the Blight that is advancing at noticeable speed and worryingly quiet. Rand’s plan to have everyone working in each other’s kingdoms stems from his increasingly extreme trust issues. The fact that the OP-induced nausea is getting worse is also not helping. Lews pops up to say that Min is right about them having to break the seals, but is less than helpful about the details of what he did the last time. Rand is also missing Tam, who he has decided is his actual father (honestly, finally, the agonising over this in the early books was super irritating). On one hand, he is still thinking he can’t rely on anyone except himself in the Last Battle which is obviously bullshit. On the other hand, he’s asking some good questions about whether the goal is to survive or thrive, and what legacy he wants to leave behind. After gatewaying back to the Arath Doman manor house, Rand gets into an argument with Min, now suspecting even her loyalty. However, this gets interrupted…

…by Semirhage who snaps the a’dam around Rand’s collar. Holy shit. Now, I know I said I wanted something more dramatic with this plot device but I am now experiencing some regret because I did not want this. Semirhage has Rand and despite all his efforts, Rand cannot free himself. Semirhage has shielded the room so Min’s cries for help go unheard, and while she manages to wound her, she’s soon wrapped up in OP weaves. Elza brings a moment of false hope until Rand realises that she’s BA. Semirhage uses the ‘Domination Band’ (look, I just cannot write that with a straight face, and given how many bdsm!AU fics I have consumed like delicious candy, that’s saying something) to torture Rand, including making him imagine he’s still in the box. That turns out to be a mistake because it sure flips something in Rand’s brain and he and Lews are all ‘no more can be done to us’. However, Semirhage has other tools at her disposal and he makes Rand use OP against Min, to hurt her, and then he makes him choke her to death. And well, something snaps even worse inside him than it already has and… In a plot twist that feels terrible in all the ways, there’s True Power, waiting for him. Rand seizes it and promptly kills Semirhage with balefire. Min is still alive, but Rand… I guess isn’t, not really, with all the emotion purged from him. Noooooo….

Cadsuane, finally alerted to the events, surveys the damage. Daigian dead (aww, I liked her) and Rand… Well. Cadsuane can see the effects even if she doesn’t quite understand them yet. In horror, she watches Rand teach Narishma balefire and ignore her warnings about it. What’s more, he also blames her for not guarding the male a’dam well enough and therefore being responsible for what happened, and essentially exiles her from his sight on threat of death. Oh Rand. Cadsuane catches a glimpse of the darkness wrapping itself around Rand, the TP from the Dark One himself I assume.

We finish the first half of the book with Gawyn, who has finally made his way to Bryne’s camp. He catches sight of an Aes Sedai among the laundry women and has to fight some soldiers to get himself taken seriously enough to actually talk to Bryne. And boy, does he drop some home truths on Gawyn, including the fact that Egwene very much is the Amyrlin and does not wish to be rescued, that Rand probably did not kill Morgase and even if he had, he would’ve done Andor a favour, considering how she’d changed (under the Forsaken influence, although neither of them really know that, and that Elayne has the Lion Throne. Too bad Gawyn doesn’t really take the first two of those to heart. Bryne promises him an audience with the Aes Sedai so he can try to convince them to rescue Egwene, but first he’d like to see this Sister among the laundresses. When they find her, she turns out to be Shemerin, the sister stripped of her shawl by Elaida.

Alas, the confirmation that Sheriam is BA comes immediately as we start the second half of this book, like a slap in the face you saw coming but hoped would be at least more interesting than this. She’s barely had a break from regular beatings from Halima when one of the Chosen (assume Mesaana) pops over to say to get rid of Egwene and also steal all the dream ter’angreal. No biggie. Over in the White Tower, Egwene is in a small cell thanks to Elaida’s increasing efforts to undermine her own credibility. She’s accusing Egwene of being a Darkfriend but has no way of proving that of course.

In Arad Doman, Aviendha is watching the whole camp back up while she’s still busy with yet another useless punishment (ngl, I am taking notes on some of these for… personal purposes. ANWYAY). She gets a visit from Min who was wondering if Aviendha was avoiding him and Rand and whether things would still come to blows over him. They don’t but the questions about the punishment rile her up sufficiently that she finally marches over to the Wise Ones and says she’s had enough and that if the punishments are all they’ve have left to teach then she’s learned enough and is ready to join them… Which is exactly what they were waiting for because no one is ready to join until they are willing to stand up to themselves (*pats self on the back for calling this one*). Final test in the Rhuidean awaits Aviendha and I will be so mad if we don’t get the details of that somewhere.

Romanda, Lelaine and others are interrogating Shemerin and learn of the small watergate through which she got out and get confirmation of Elaida’s tyrannical rule. Things are interrupted by a wave of cockroaches invading the tent, leaving the sisters no option but to burn the whole thing down.

Mat is still pining after Tuon and refusing to admit it, while they are all still on a slow march toward Caemlyn where Mat plans to leave the Band while he, Thom and Noal go get Moirane out of the fearielands. Mat and Thom talk poetry and impossibility of going back and inevitably of growing old. Talmanes has turned out to be a legit troll and I love that about him. Anyway, there’s yet another Small Town With Something Suspicious Going On. This time it’s a strict rule to get out before sundown, mysteriously ripped clothing and lack of care for the Dragon Reborn of the Last Battle. Mat goes dicing, losing on purpose in order to get people greedy and that way win them some supplies they’ve had hard time actually buying. Unfortunately, they’re still surveying their winnings when the sun drops below the horizon and just like that the whole town turns into mindless violent murderers, quite literally starting to rip each other to pieces. Mat and co fight their way through that, almost lose Delarn except Mat goes back to him, and eventually make their way to the other inn where the Aes Sedai had gone to enjoy some baths. The Sisters and their Warders are still all alive, and they make their way out of the village. The two serving girls they had tied up (because they’d also tried to kill everyone in sight) and brought with them, mysteriously just vanish once the sun is back up. Couple that with the fact that Thom had found a piece of paper with Mat’s face on it, apparently circulated by a mysterious woman who’d promised reward for information, and Mat decides to head back to talk to the villagers. People they’d seen dead or indeed killed themselves are all alive again, and a chat with the Mayor reveals that this is a common occurrence. No one can leave and no one can die, no one has memories of what happens during the night and no one really wants to know either. In other words, sounds like the Dark Lord has ticked ‘zombies’ off his bingo sheet and done it in a vaguely creative way.

In Bandar Eban, Rand and Lews are reciting their list of dead women. Rand dispassionately ponders on his absent conscience while stroking the Choeden Kal access key at every given opportunity. The Aiel are having varied success in finding the members of the Council of Merchants. Bandar Eban itself is on brink of starvation and the food from the Sea Folk aid is only helping so much as a lot of it keeps spoiling. The Aes Sedai are trying to convince Rand to unexile Cadsuane but Rand is too far gone into thinking how anything that really annoys him could just be snuffed out like a candle and then it would stop annoying him so that’s easy. Even Lews is despairing. At least Rand knows that True Power comes from the Dark Lord and that he shouldn’t really touch it… Also, apparently, the reason people had ended up breaking the Dark One’s prison in the first place had been the discovery of this new, tempting, vast power. Is… Is Dark One a metaphor for fossil fuels? Because if so, then the whole climate change thing in the books makes sense. Anyway. Rand sends Dobraine to Tear to tell Darlin to stop pestering him with messages and that he’ll bring the troops in when he’s good and ready. He gets himself a throne and interrogates Milisair, one of the members of the Merchant’s Council who has a messenger supposedly from King Alsalam himself. Find him, get Graendal, is Rand’s plan.

Outside Tar Valon, Gawyn is trying to convince Lelaine into letting him go rescue Egwene, playing her off against Romanda, although still not getting anywhere further than ‘we’ll think about it’ and getting interrogated on Andoran tax rates while at it. On one hand, he’s realised that people do regard Egwene as the Amyrlin quite seriously, but on the other, he’s still thinking that she’s ‘over her head’ so it’s a work in progress. Bryne is trying to get some usable intelligence from him re Younglins and the two of them have a philosophical discussion about choosing the right side and knowing what you stand for and why you fight.

Cadsuane is still tacking along, keeping her face covered to keep to the letter of Rand’s orders, and trying to figure out how to save him from himself. She’s visiting an informant in the city, trying to learn something about Alsalam’s whereabouts but instead getting the troubling news that the freak accidents and misfortunes that Rand’s ta’veren nature causes elsewhere are no longer balanced out by the equally unusual luck or happy events, further suggesting that the darkness she’s seen clinging to him is something malicious indeed. She sees it again, witnessing Rand at the docks. An idea and a possible plan comes to her but she needs help. Enter her new bff Sorilea and the Aiel Wise Ones. Rand had actually seen Cadsuane but not her face so no death for her yet. Naef brings news that the Seanchan are being difficult about the meeting place and Rand suggests Falme then, because while it’s firmly in Seanchan territory, it has some ‘historic significance’ for Rand which is… putting it mildly. Rand is suspecting everyone and contemplating on making them all bow to him. Even Lews know he’s being an ass and avoiding him and you know it’s bad when even the voice in your head stops talking to you, just saying. Rand even suspects Nynaeve but at least he still allows her to tag along unlike pretty much all of the other Aes Sedai. Nynaeve explains about Lan’s whereabouts and plans, and Rand mostly thinks he’ll make a fine distraction for the Dark One’s armies while he attacks from other direction, although there is a little voice still whispering that it isn’t buddies to leave a friend to die. Only four members of the Council of Merchants’ has been located and Milisair’s messenger is dead for good measure, thanks to the tender mercies of her questioners (or so it seems). Rand is not amused and sends her to the same cells where she kept the messenger. Nynaeve has another go at trying to make him remember about things like caring for his friends (cue ta’veren news hour on Perrin and Mat) and Rand loses his temper and lashes out.

Nynaeve is not a woman to sit back and do nothing though. She and the other Aes Sedai are observing a funeral procession of ghosts, something that apparently showed up when Rand did, so that’s super cheery. The signs are generally bad: more insects crawling out of people, crops not growing, food going bad etc. Despite Cadsuane treating her like a child, Nynaeve thinks she might be an ally in getting Rand out of the pit of darkness. Nynaeve heals a refugee child, contemplates on what Moiraine did right, what Cadsuane did wrong, and what she herself should do. She co-opts some soldiers and wakes up the manor dosun to get details of where Milisair’s questioner lives. Off to the dungeons they go, located in the other side of the city of course in a chandler’s shop. Door kicked in, guards and head torturer trussed up, Nynaeve proceeds with the interrogation but only learns that the messenger died completely unexpectedly because accidentally killing someone you’re supposed to torture for information is just unprofessional so it wasn’t that. Apparently they also didn’t learn anything as the man had been unable to talk about the exact thing they were asking him about i.e. the king’s location. Graendel’s compulsion. Nynaeve is almost defeated by lack of results but in healing the ill looking Milisair as they are departing she discovers something unexpected: poison. The actual chandler’s apprentice/torturer’s errand boy Kerb seems to be behind the whole thing. Nynaever drags Kerb in front of Rand who tells Nynaeve to remove Graendal’s compulsion from him, which Nynaeve actually manages to do (give this woman some goddamn credit). What he neglected to say that there would be nothing much left of Kerb himself after, and with his dying breath the boy gives them the location of Graendal’s lair. Nynaeve demands to know if Rand even feels guilt anymore and Rand is all ‘I know I’ll die so I don’t have to worry about what comes after’ (Someone. Tell. Him. About. The. Babies. Omfg. Is this a reflection of a male author’s priorities? Because unless Elayne specifically forbid her, which I don’t remember, Aviendha should’ve been rushing to share the news).

Mat is hatching elaborate plans with detailed cover identities (ngl, this bit was funny) to infiltrate the town of Trustair where the mysterious woman with pictures of him resides. Talmanes is vastly entertained. After an inspection of his troops Mat goes to speak to Aludra who is getting close with Leilwin (formerly Egeanin) and Bayle. If you didn’t realise that I immediately wrote ‘aww threesome’ followed by a little heart on the margins over this, well, do you even know me at all? Aludra has detailed plans for her ‘dragons’ and basically tells Mat that to mass produce them, she’s going to need all the copper, tin and other raw materials, yes, all of it. Olver runs to get Mat because of a surprise visitor who turns out to be… Verin! And Tomas of course.

Time for the Rand and Tuon meeting, but first there’s Rand reminiscing about the last time he was in Falme, and also a throwaway line about Fain and I’m like ‘fuck me, where is this shit weasel?’ Rand is also slipping into the plural when talking about himself so that’s always great. Anyway, the meeting… Well, it happens. Rand has Nynaeve and some Asha’man, Tuon has many damane, there’s a pavilion and chairs on equal level. It’s cool to get Tuon’s pov of the meeting, especially as we also get a glimpse of such fun prophecies like Rand going blind… Things are tense, and Rand is pressing the importance of peace for the sake of the Last Battle, and the fact that collaring the Aes Sedai is not on the negotiation table. Tuon drops Mat’s name into the conversation and at last stirs some surprise from Rand and passionate defence of him from Nynaeve. Rand presses his ta’veren influence too hard though, looming over Tuon and trying to bend her will, and she digs in. No deal. Fuck. Tuon declares herself the Empress and, since these talks did not succeed, goes back to the earlier plan of attacking the White Tower, oh no…

Verin explains to Mat and co how after leaving Rand she’d been trying to make her way to the White Tower but ta’veren pull had her plans constantly hampered by an unlikely string of bad luck and ‘coincidences’. She also gives an update on Rand’s mental health, the saidin been cleansed etc. Seems that since Mat had pressing need to get to Caemlyn quickly, the pattern had pushed someone who could Travel and make that happen his way. Verin reveals that the paper with Mat’s (and Perrin’s too) face on it had come from a Darkfriend. She promises to get Mat’s army to Caemlyn in exchange for him following instructions she leaves him in a sealed letter to be opened ten days after he gets to Caemlyn. Mat refuses but Verin gets him to compromise on him ignoring the letter but waiting for her for fifty days if she doesn’t return. They settle on thirty in the end and shake on it.

The newly named Empress Fortuona is giving blessings to the troops heading toward Tar Valon. Among them are five Bloodknives, wearing ter’angreal that grant speed and strength but do so using the wearer’s own life force, meaning death is inevitable. Their purpose is just to stay behind and kill as many of the Aes Sedai as possible. This seems like one of those things that’s going to require marriage counselling with Mat and Tuon once he finds out about the raid…

Min is trying to get Rand to talk which is not going well. She has a viewing of a Dragonmount relating to him, which will turn out to be very true. Min is worried about Rand viewing her as a liability now after the Semirhage fiasco. He does readily accept her company to go after Graendal, along with Nynaeve and the useless Lord Ramshalan who Rand plays like a flute, and uses as a messenger and a test subject. The gateway to Graendal’s forest hideout and Rand sends Ramshalan to make queries and as predicted he comes back under heavy Compulsion. Rand makes a speech about how he must not kill in anger but as a rational choice, and then balefires the whole fortress and everyone in it, including Graendal right out of the Pattern. Min and Nynaeve are horrified, but Rand points out that everyone in the fortress was already a husk due to Graendal’s Compulsion mindwipe. The fact that Ramshalan no longer is acts as a convenient litmus test for Graendal really being dead. Once back, Min and Nynaeve go find Cadsuane because whatever she’s planning to help Rand they need to be in on it now. Cadsuane and the Wise Ones ever so graciously allow it if Nynaeve follows orders like a good girl. Task one: find Perrin.

In Tel’aran’rhiod, Siuan is trying to convince Egwene to allow herself to be rescued. She’s not exactly enjoying her current accommodations in a cramped cell but at least it gives her an understanding of what Rand must have experienced during his time at Galina’s hands. Still, Egwene says no because each day spent imprisoned is a moral victory. Siuan also drops in the news about Gawyn, which Egwene takes as well as could be expected. After Siuan leaves, Egwene has a look at the dream version of the rebel camp, cogitating on how time for reconciliation is fast running out. Her dreamwalking also takes her to a Tuat’han camp to be reminded that life is about the living, laughing and dancing and she mustn’t lose sight of the fact. Back in the waking world, the news comes that Elaida has decided to release Egwene and has imprisoned Silviana instead, in a clever ploy to save face. On the way back to her rooms, Saerin, the Brown Sitter, brings news that Silviana had in fact defined Elaida in front of the full Hall, demanding Egwene’s release and Elaida’s removal as Amyrlin and when Elaida tried to demote her to a novice, she refused. Saerin is delighted because the Red Ajah is crumbling but Egwene is not because she doesn’t want to lose them, because they’ll need every Ajah, every Sister for the Last Battle. Egwene’s watchers want to go and find out what has happened but don’t want to leave her unshielded, so Egwene agrees to drink forkroot tea in exchange of them leaving her alone. When she finally gets to her room, there’s a visitor waiting. It’s Verin, sipping tea and casually telling Egwene her white dress is in fact green. Uh-oh.

Well, are we surprised that Verin is BA? Maybe not. However, things are actually a great deal more in the grayscale than Egwene fears, finding herself in the room with Verin and no ability to channel thanks to the forkroot tea. Verin starts by telling Egwene to sit and listen, and then provides some insight into the qualities the Great Lord looks for in leaders like the Chosen (it’s selfishness, so they’ll squabble between themselves) but of the Dark One’s own motivations she still hasn’t a clue even after years of study. Verin explains how she’s faced the choice of either swearing to the dark or being executed and, like a true scholar, she had chosen to live and learn. Tomas had been a DF looking for a way out and whilst Verin couldn’t offer that, she did offer a way to fight back. I’m not crying, you’re crying, I so want their story now. Turns out, the oaths to the Dark Lord are both very specific and come with a whopping loophole, ensuring everyone who swears will not be able to betray him, will promise to keep their secrets ‘until the hour upon their death’. Yep, that would be poison Verin is sipping in her tea. She gives Egwene her life’s work in two books, one a detailed account of everything she’s learned during her time undercover, including name of every BA Sister, the second a cypher for decoding it, and both rendered invisible when needed by a clever ter’angreal. She’s arming Egwene and others with the knowledge she paid for with her life. Egwene sits with Verin, holding her hand as she fades first from consciousness and then life itself. This was a beautiful scene, heartbreaking but deeply touching and while I would’ve preferred Verin to have a happier ending, it was, at least meaningful. Egwene spends time studying Verin’s books and learning the names of BA Sisters, including Alviarin and of course Sheriam, her own Keeper (oh, and also Duhara who I think is the Red in Caemlyn harassing Elayne).

Nicola (who has turned into one Egwene’s staunchest supporters) brings a message from Egwene’s allies to wait, and soon Meidani comes to see her. Egwene reveals that Verin is dead though obscures the details. In return Meidani explains that Elaida is still the Amyrlin though only by a hair and with penance to serve. Silviana is still in the cells. Egwene shows Meidani the weaves for Travelling and she takes Verin’s body away. Egwene enters Tel’aran’rhiod and ruminates on having been a pawn for BA as much as Elaida. She just about has time to meet with Siuan and tell her about some of the key names in the rebel camp who are BA before she’s violently pulled out into the waking world… Where the Seanchan attack finally comes.

Back in the rebel camp, Siuan wakes knowing that Egwene is in danger and therefore convinced that now is the time to toss promises aside and go get her. The fact that Bryne’s scout comes shouting about something going on in the city only reinforces her determination. They quickly realise it’s Seanchan, and while Bryne is reluctant to go against Egwene’s direct orders, Siuan knows someone who will be eager to help. In the Tower, Egwene watches the raken attack, realises it’s a raid to get the ‘marath’damane’, battles down her own ptsd panic and fear, and fucking Rises to the Occasion like a Boss. She rallies the novices and the Accepted, teaching them how to link, and then pops into the storage to get the most powerful sar’angreal in there, arming her with enough OP to face whatever may come. Back in the camp, Siuan finds Gawyn who is practically chomping at the bit to come with her. Bryne finally agrees as well, on two conditions. First is that Siuan makes him her Warder, which she does immediately (aww) and the second is obviously a request for marriage though he doesn’t actually say that yet. Bryne brings men along to the rescue and Siuan is glad because at least now they’ll survive long enough for Egwene to kill them personally, lol.

Inside the Tower, we get the pov of Adelorna, the Captain-General of Greens, who has come to the swift realisation that for all their ‘battle ajah’ claims, they had fallen quickly when faced with the Seanchan and their damane. She is running to escape capture, but in vain as a shield and then quickly a collar follows. Just as all seems lost, enter Egwene like an avenging goddess, bather in power and destroying Seanchans and of course freeing Adelorna, who quickly finds herself deferring to Egwene’s authority. Adelorna is going to help Egwene identify more sa’angreal as Egwene is determined to make sure the price of the raid is going to be dear for the Seanchans. Simultaneously, Siuan, Bryne, Gawyn and troops are taking boats though a tiny gate under the wall and down a narrow tunnel. Bryne has had mock Tar Valon Guard uniforms made so they march through the town unchallenged. Inside the Tower, Saerin is establishing a command centre, trying to gather everyone to one place and reflecting on how woefully underprepared they’d been for the attack due to ignoring Egwene’s warnings. Katerine (BA remember) tries to challenge her but Saerin browbeats her down. News comes of the resistance in the Novice’s quarters and hot on the heels of it the realisation of exactly who is organising that. That would be Egwene, methodically taking town Seanchans like an angel of vengeance and I have to say this whole scene is extreme sexy of her. Bryne and co are busy dodging the raken and witness her from the ground though sadly don’t realise it’s Egwene. Siuan has nipped into the Tower to see what’s up, snatched up a novice who tells them where Egwene is, and that she like most of the novices are loyal to her, i.e. the ‘real Amyrlin’. The Seanchan are withdrawing. Bryne thinks he’ll need to leave men to die while they go get Egwene but Siuan heals them enough for them to survive. While she’s at it, one of the Seanchan Bloodknives attacks and only Bryne’s new Warder connection enhanced reflexes save her. He gets poisoned in the fight but Siuan who remembers Min’s viewing realises that it said they’d both die if they didn’t stay close to each other and manages to heal him before the poison takes hold. Exhausted from the fight, Egwene passes out despite best intentions to get up and resume leadership. Gawyn and co find her and take her away (she is going to be pissed, I already am). Saerin receives the news that the Seanchan managed to take Elaida, and we get a brief glimpse from Elaida’s pov of her capture. A fitting end some would say but no one deserves that and also there’s no actual lesson learned here for her, just suffering.

Rand is leaving Arad Doman. Abandoning it, some might say, and they’d probably be right. The line between him and Lews is almost fully melted by now and Lews has taken over the list of dead women and added Min to it for extra angst I guess. Anyway, Rand tried to save Bandar Eban from starvation but the food spoils before it can be consumed. He’d tried to save Arad Doman from disintegration but hadn’t been able to find enough members of the Council of Merchants to get a new king established. And now there is nothing more he can do, so he just leaves them, riding through the crowds of accusing and hopeless stares, and gateways all of them to Tear where a rather different reception awaits. Bashere wants to know if Rand plans on telling Ituralde about abandoning his country but Rand just says he’ll hear and if he decides to come back and resume fighting the Seanchan, then that’s useful in its own way. Darlin and Dobrain (and Weiramon, who Lews likes because he’s an idiot, but he is loyal) wait, and Rand tells them to get their troops ready because instead of Arad Doman, they’ll be marching to Shayol Ghul.

Egwene is, as predicted, furious. But she’s shouldering a lot of the blame herself, reflecting on where she could have and should have done better, and on nature of control. She can’t go back as a novice and is now left with little other option except force the Tower to accept her as the Amyrlin which means a full on attack. Gawyn is sitting outside her tent like a dog, but is also still full of arrogant ‘we need to talk’ and ‘I was worried’ and ‘my sacrifices’ and Egwene rather beautifully puts him on his place. She loves him but she’s also angry at him, and until he accepts her as Amyrlin, and believes she is the Amyrlin, she won’t bond him. You go girl. Back in the Tower, we have Adelorna and Heads of the other Ajahs also doing some reflecting, since their plan to control the Tower through the Hall and the young, malleable Sitters, expected to be in place only for a short time until the rebellion smoothed over, didn’t exactly work as they’d hoped. Time for a new plan. Time for a new Amyrlin as well, and after some bickering, they come to the right conclusion. Siuan and Bryne are having a ‘right conclusion’ moment themselves, as Gareth tells her he’s going to ask her to marry him, after the world is saved of course, because he understands Siuan’s priorities.

Egwene calls the Hall. Time for some Amyrlin truthbombs. First up, she’s got the Oath Rod, and in front of everyone she swears the Three Oaths, making sure the whispers of her not being a real Aes Sedai stop. Next up, exposing the BA. Egwene explains about Verin’s visit, and the way to release and then re-swear the Three Oaths to be sure who is and isn’t a DF. First Sheriam, and then Moria panics and gets snared. One by one, the rest of them release and then re-swear the Oaths, and the plan is hatched to get each Ajah’s sisters into the tent one by one and snag the BA members that way without alerting the others. Oh, and after that, assault on the White Tower.

Rand and Nynaeve are back to arguing about Lan and the planned attack. Nynaeve thinks they ought to head to Tarwin’s Gap where Lan is going to intercept the hordes of Trollocs heading from the Blight. Rand thinks Lan will make a wonderful distraction fighting there, while he takes the troops straight to Shayol Ghul. Nynaeve is also trying to get Perrin’s location from Rand who in the end tells her what he can see through the ta’veren vision updates. Rand’s patience with the Borderlanders has also just about ran out. His request for talks is met by them sending Hurin (aww, remember him) although Rand doesn’t trust that he’s who he says he is without some interrogation. Also, Hurin’s nose for violence and death smells a lot of it around Rand… Turns out Borderlanders are in Far Madding, sheltering within the influence of the Guardian that stops channelling. Rand Gateways to the edges of the city but refuses to ride into the waiting box of it, ranting how no one will ever control him again and thinking about using the access key to teach them a little lesson. Nynaeve just about talks him out of balefiring more people out of existence. Rand sends a message via Hurin that if the Borderlanders want to go back to their post with their honour intact rather than hide here like cowards, he’ll provide the means, and promptly returns to Tear. Nynaeve tells Cadsuane where Perrin is and she reveals that it’s not so much him who they need but someone who is with him.

In Tar Valon, Egwene is delaying the assault as long as she can because she has a feeling and because it’s the kind of thing that is impossible to walk back from. All members of BA have been summarily stilled and then beheaded, all in an afternoon. Swift judgement indeed, although about twenty of them had still escaped. The other disturbing news is that the delegation that had been sent to Black Tower after Rand’s offer of Asha’man to bond had not reported back at all (Taim, what are you up to, hm?). They have also discovered that Sheriam’s claims of having stolen the dream ter’angreal where correct, which is another setback. In tense silence, they all wait until the last possible moment for Egwene to give the command of attack… And on that last minute, the procession from the White Tower arrives, asking for her, telling her they’ve come to welcome her as Amyrlin now that Elaida is… indisposed, so to speak. She accepts, the fight is avoided and though wounded and bleeding, the White Tower stands. I’m not cr… you know, fuck it, I definitely cried.

The ceremony for raising the Amyrlin is redone because those in the Tower deserve that as well and Egwene needs legitimacy in their eyes too. The rebels are invited to return to the Tower and Egwene will accept their apology for the division, on rationale that while it was necessary the hardship of it was still regrettable. Gawyn is still hanging about but of course has no business in the Hall during the ceremony. Egwene observers several Sitters missing, worrying about the BA members having gotten warning. She also orders Silviana to be released and brought to the Hall. Egwene is accepted unanimously as the Amyrlin, in large part because everyone is afraid and Amyrlin offers a sense of stability. Now for some surprises (I love her). First up: a scolding for the entire Hall for being spineless cowards and not removing Elaida when her madness and botched attempts to kidnap Rand became obvious. Silviana on the other hand, is held up as example for being brave enough to defy Elaida and Egwene names her as the Keeper. It is also a clever tactical move to ensure that Red’s current disgrace is mitigated and that Egwene doesn’t lose the support of that Ajah. Egwene also accepts some of the blame for the division but tells everyone that time is to focus on healing. She gets Silviana up to date re Sheriam, the BA, and the need for a new Mistress of Novices considering they're going to have whole hell of a lot of them very soon. They go to greet and welcome the rebels back into the Tower and Egwene holds an incredibly rousing speech about standing united. Honestly, this was maybe my favourite chapter.

In Tear, Rand is spiralling like one of those bouncy springs. One minute he’s pondering on the inferiority of Callandor because it only works properly if a woman is directing the power, the next he’s distracted by the little niggling voice that maybe he hasn’t been making great choices lately. He’s thinking about going back to punish the disobedient Borderlanders after all, he’s missing Moiraine, he’s deciding to go and balefire the Seanchan out of existence and sends the Maidens to prepare for battle. He is… all over the place and none of it good. However, there is a surprise waiting for him in his rooms: Tam. Yes, I legit gasped. And yes, I sniffled my way through the whole scene. Very Emotions. Things go well at first; Rand is softened by comfort and memories, they talk about Rand’s origins, and he at least thinks that Tam is his father no matter what even though he can’t bring himself to say that. Tam argues successfully about there always being a choice, because even when you can’t choose what you do, you can choose why you do it. But alas, he makes the mistake of mentioning that it was Cadsuane who brought him here which is when Rand stops listening, consumed by mistrust and anger, pushes Tam to the floor and almost, almost kills his own father in his rage before some small sliver of clarity prevails and he Gateways to Ebou Dar.

In Cadsuane’s rooms, the concerned women are waiting to hear how Rand’s reunion with his father has gone. To kill the time, they reflect on Karaethon Cycle prophecies, and Cadsuane confirms Min’s interpretation that a particular passage refers to Rand using the Callandor in some way. Min also has some interesting and troubling visions including Nynaeve grieving for someone. Tam storms in, outraged over what has been done to his son. Everyone realises he’s gone to Ebou Dar to destroy the Seanchans.

Except, once there, Rand can’t quite bring himself to do it. He’s observing the ordinary folk going about their business and noting the good aspects of Seanchan society, all the while racked by guilt over what he had almost done to Tam. Seizing OP brings sickness so strong he’s vomiting all over himself, curled on the ground, and at the last minute gateways to… Top of the Dragonmount. For the dramatic ending. There he sits, having an identity crisis on top of the mountain, screaming his anger and fear and frustration at the Creator, about how nothing matters and maybe it is better for the Pattern to end. And maybe he could do that right now, all by himself. Lews pipes up with some important ‘why’ questions, putting in his last word as from now on the two are truly as one. Rand has the realisation that the purpose of life is always the second chance, because each time you live, you get to love again. Aww, in true 5th element fashion, love was the answer. It is this moment of realisation that makes him destroy not the world but Choeden Kal. And as the Dragon Reborn laughs again, sunlight pierces the clouds.

The epilogue shows us Egwene, her hands full in the White Tower, counting the losses to Seanchan, the escaped BA (including, disappointingly, Alviarin), Mesaana still undiscovered and likely still in the Tower. Silviana alerts her to something worth seeing, and together they watch the sunlight breaks the clouds above the Dragonmount.
 

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