Logain and Siuan find themselves developing a kinship (probably because they've both been stilled). Upon reaching Tear, Logain attempts to pull out Callandor. The traps Rand have set trigger. The traps were designed to redirect any use of the One Power back into the channeller, destroying the channeller in the process. The traps result in Logain being unstilled. Logain becomes the new leader of Tear.
One of the first things that Rand learns from Asmodean is the skill of Travelling. Rand Travels to Cairhien to join up with the Tairen army primarily to remind them of their mission and to show them how powerful he is. He finds that the High Lords sent with the Tairen army have been disregarding his instructions and attempting to conquer the Cairhiens. In a fit of rage, Rand destroys the High Lords with balefire. Rand finds that he has been betrayed by Asmodean, and that his Travelling ability is imperfect and he is unable to Travel without the assistance of Asmodean. Rand is unable to return to the Aiel Waste. Asmodean escapes and hides, waiting for the shields to fade.
Couladin leads some of the Aiel into Cairhien to destroy Rand. Egwene continues her studies in Dreaming and gets a message to Rand about Couladin's army. Rand instructs the Wise Ones (and Egwene) to bring the rest of the Aiel army to him. This army is led by Rhuarc. Mat, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan and Aviendha go with the army.
In the ensuing battle between Aiel, all water oaths are forgotten and Aiel kill Aiel beyond the Spine of the World. The devastation is extensive, and only a handful of Aiel survive. Mat, Egwene, Moiraine, Lan and Aviendha all survive. Rand leads the remaining Aiel and the Tairen army onwards into Cairhien and takes control of the Sun Throne.
Meanwhile, Bayle Domon sets sail for a deep part of the ocean. Egeanin sails with him. They sail right into the path of Lady Suroth's fleet, where they are captured. Because of her attraction to Domon, Egeanin saves him, by pretending that they were sailing to present the sad bracelets as a gift to the Empress - a method of controlling male channellers. They are taken to the Seanchan land.
Elayne and Nynaeve can't find anymore of the Black Ajah in Tanchico and decide to return to the tower. They do find something that throws even more suspicion on Moiraine. They tell Egwene of their discoveries and their plans through their meeting in Tel'aran'rhiod, but urge her not to tell Moiraine. Their meeting is cut short by the arrival of some Black Ajah in Tel'aran'rhiod who are now hunting Elayne and Nynaeve there.
Min finds out that Rand is now in Cairhien and immediately leaves Tear to join Rand. She carries word of the Tar Valon coup to the party at Cairhien. Egwene realises in dismay that Elayne and Nynaeve are walking right back into trouble. Unable to confide in Moiraine, she leaves Cairhien in the middle of the night, but is surprised by Lan. When Lan finds out that Nynaeve is headed for the tower, he finally breaks his bonds to Moiraine (emotionally, not Warderly) and joins Egwene in a mad rush to the tower. Elayne and Nynaeve too afraid to enter Tel'aran'rhiod again and as such are unable to meet Egwene there.
In the tower, we find out that Shemerin (one of those involved in the coup) is really the Forsaken Semirhage. She is now trying to take over control of the tower. Elayne and Nynaeve arrive at the tower first, and are imprisoned by Elaida who is under the influence of Semirhage. Semirhage is afraid that she will be exposed by Elayne and Nynaeve and has them sentenced to be stilled. In desperation, Elayne enters Tel'aran'rhiod and manages to contact Egwene. In the ensuing attack, Semirhage is exposed, Elaida and Sheriam are killed, and finally Semirhage is killed by Egwene. In the confusion, it is assumed that the three girls have been raised to full sisters and Egwene is elected the new Amyrlin Seat.
Next Chapter, Previous Chapter
Table of contents of this chapter, General table of contents
Top of the document, Beginning of this Chapter