The Story: Chronological Narrative
The narrative commences in the Stone of Tear, where Rand al'Thor is navigating his new responsibilities as its ruler while diligently studying the Prophecies of the Dragon. This period is marked by an unsettling phenomenon known as a "bubble of evil," a pervasive corruption of reality that causes inanimate objects—such as Rand's mirrors, Mat's playing cards, and Perrin's axe—to turn hostile and attack their owners. This widespread chaos is not a direct assault but a deeper, more insidious manifestation of the Dark One's increasing influence, signaling a fundamental weakening of the very fabric of the Pattern. This type of threat, which undermines the perceived safety and predictability of the environment, significantly elevates the stakes beyond mere military conflict, highlighting that the struggle is against an existential unraveling of the natural order.
During this time, Rand receives a clandestine nighttime visit from the Forsaken Lanfear, who offers him glimpses into the Forsaken's overarching plans. Subsequently, the Stone of Tear is stormed by Trollocs and Myrddraal, forces dispatched by the Forsaken Sammael. Wielding Callandor, Rand unleashes a devastating lightning storm, annihilating all the Shadowspawn. In a disturbing display of his burgeoning, untamed power, Rand attempts to resurrect a dead child, an act that deeply alarms Moiraine. Before departing Tear, Rand, Mat Cauthon, and Moiraine Damodred visit a mysterious doorframe *ter'angreal* that grants them an audience with the snake-like Aelfinn, beings rumored to possess answers to any question. From them, Mat receives a dire warning: he must journey to Rhuidean or face death, and he is destined to marry "the Daughter of the Nine Moons". Moiraine, too, gains profound foresight from her encounter.
Driven by prophecy and a profound need to understand his heritage, Rand resolves to travel to the Aiel Waste to be acknowledged as the Aiel's prophesied leader, "He Who Comes With the Dawn". In a symbolic act of self-reliance, he intentionally leaves Callandor behind in Tear. Utilizing a Portal Stone, he transports himself, Mat, Egwene, Moiraine, and Lan to the Aiel Waste.
Upon their arrival in Rhuidean, Rand enters a series of glass columns, which are powerful *ter'angreal*. Inside, he is immersed in a visceral experience, reliving the memories of his paternal ancestors and witnessing the entire history of the Aiel, from before the Breaking of the World to their current state. This direct immersion reveals the profound truth that the Aiel were originally pacifists, known as the Da'shain Aiel ("People Dedicated to Peace"), who served the Aes Sedai and were entrusted with safeguarding a vast collection of *angreal*, *sa'angreal*, and *ter'angreal* during the Breaking. He learns how the Aiel clans diverged from the Way of the Leaf to become warriors, and how the Tinkers also split off from the original Da'shain Aiel. This experience is a redefinition of Aiel identity, as it shatters their cultural myth of being born warriors and reveals their current state as an adaptation to brutal circumstances.
Rand emerges from the *ter'angreal* with dragon markings on both arms, fulfilling a key prophecy and validating his identity as the Car'a'carn, the "Chief of Chiefs" of all the Aiel. His emergence at dawn further fulfills prophecy. Accompanied by the Taardad Aiel, led by Rhuarc, Rand proceeds to Alcair Dal to present himself to the assembled clan chiefs. However, Couladin of the Shaido Aiel preempts him, proclaiming himself "He Who Comes With the Dawn" and displaying identical dragon tattoos. Rand counters by revealing his own dragons and, more importantly, the secret history of the Aiel as pacifists from the Age of Legends. This devastating revelation incites an uproar and profound division among the Aiel, leading to infighting, which Rand dramatically halts by making it rain in the arid Waste. This act places an immense burden of truth on Rand as the Car'a'carn, forcing the Aiel to confront a foundational contradiction in their identity and requiring him to reconcile their past with their present and future.
Earlier, Rand's party had encountered Lanfear and Asmodean disguised as suspicious peddlers. After the Alcair Dal confrontation, Lanfear reappears, informing Rand that Asmodean has fled back to Rhuidean. Rand uses a newly discovered weave called Skimming to quickly reach the city. He engages Asmodean in a fierce battle over the access *ter'angreal* for the Choedan Kal, ultimately winning and severing Asmodean's link to the Dark One. Lanfear then intervenes, shielding Asmodean to allow him to channel only enough to serve as Rand's reluctant teacher in the One Power, fulfilling a prophecy that Asmodean would teach him to wield the Power without it killing him. They then return to Alcair Dal. The Wise Ones task Aviendha with teaching Rand Aiel customs, leading to some amusing cultural blunders for Rand. Despite initial recalcitrance, a bond begins to form between them. After an attack by Trollocs, Rand acquires a bodyguard comprised of *Far Dareis Mai* (Maidens of the Spear), including Aviendha. Aviendha is drawn to Rand and is later revealed to be the first of his three lovers to sleep with him, though she initially holds back due to her friendship with Elayne.
Mat, initially desiring to leave Tear, finds himself unable to escape Rand's powerful *ta'veren* pull, compelling him to accompany Rand to the Aiel Waste. Compelled by the Aelfinn's prophecy that he must go to Rhuidean or die, Mat enters the legendary city. He discovers another doorframe *ter'angreal* there.
Mat attempts to ask more questions inside this second *ter'angreal* but inadvertently makes a complex bargain with the fox-like Eelfinn instead. He "ignorantly requests" several gifts: fluency in the Old Tongue, memories of his own ancestors (which turn out to be memories of past lives as military leaders), a unique spear called an *ashandarei*, and a medallion *ter'angreal* that protects him from the One Power (the foxhead medallion). The price for these gifts is a symbolic hanging from the Tree of Life (Avendesora), leaving him with a permanently scarred neck. This seemingly accidental bargain is a pivotal moment that irrevocably alters Mat's destiny. The gifts he receives, particularly the new memories of past lives, are crucial for his future role as a military strategist and leader of the Band of the Red Hand. The medallion provides vital protection against the One Power. This transformation, though born from a misstep, equips him with the unique skills and defenses necessary for his future role in the Last Battle, highlighting the unpredictable and often dangerous nature of interacting with ancient powers and the subtle ways the Pattern guides individuals towards their roles. Mat begins to embrace his extraordinary luck and the knowledge of his past lives, shifting from a reluctant companion to a figure destined for leadership. His character is deeply influenced by Norse mythology, particularly Odin, evidenced by his wide-brimmed hat, the ravens on his spear, and his later eye sacrifice. He also develops a strong distrust of Aes Sedai.
Perrin's axe turns against him during the "bubble of evil" in Tear. Upon learning that Whitecloaks are searching for him in his homeland, he resolves to return to the Two Rivers via the Ways, accompanied by Loial, Faile (who cleverly tricks Loial into bringing her along), and three Aiel (Gaul, Bain, and Chiad). His arrival is met with tragedy: he discovers his family has been murdered, the al'Thor farm burned, and Mat's sisters and the blacksmith held captive by Whitecloaks.
Perrin learns that the local wolves are being hunted in *Tel'aran'rhiod* by a mysterious figure known as Slayer, who bears a resemblance to Lan. Perrin continues to grapple with and embrace his unique ability to communicate with wolves, gaining enhanced senses and his distinctive yellow eyes, solidifying his identity as "Young Bull" among them. This storyline, though geographically confined to the Two Rivers, is thematically expansive, serving as a microcosm of the larger war against the Shadow.
Padan Fain is revealed to be with the Whitecloaks, secretly leading bands of Trollocs to the area. Faile convinces Perrin not to surrender to the Whitecloaks and helps him free his captive countrymen. Inspired by stories of his adventures, a growing entourage of young men from the villages rallies to Perrin, and he leads them to hunt Trollocs. After an encounter with a shady Hunter for the Horn named Luc (later identified as Slayer), Perrin's hunting party is decimated by a Trolloc ambush. They seek refuge with the Tuatha'an before returning to a now-fortified Emond's Field, where Perrin is Healed by Alanna Sedai. Perrin learns that the Waygate, previously locked by Loial, has been reopened, prompting Loial and Gaul to depart to close it.
Trollocs attack Emond's Field by the thousands, initially repulsed. The Tuatha'an and then the Whitecloaks are invited inside the pickets for protection, and the Tinker Aram abandons his people's pacifist Way of the Leaf to take up a sword. Verin and Alanna fight with the One Power, but the Whitecloaks stubbornly refuse to join the fight against the Shadowspawn. Perrin persuades Faile to leave the Two Rivers under the pretense of sending a message to Queen Morgase; she agrees only if Perrin will marry her. They are wed. Faile returns with crucial reinforcements from Watch Hill and Deven Ride. The Trollocs are ultimately routed, and the Whitecloaks are evicted from the Two Rivers. This arc showcases Perrin's profound transformation from a gentle, hesitant village boy to a decisive, albeit reluctant, commander, demonstrating that heroism can emerge from unexpected places and through personal sacrifice, and that leadership often means adapting to dire circumstances with unreliable allies.
Egwene, alongside Elayne and Nynaeve, interrogates their Black Ajah prisoners, uncovering that Liandrin and others have gone to Tanchico. She and Elayne discuss their feelings for Rand, with Egwene magnanimously giving Elayne her blessing to pursue him. While exploring Tanchico in *Tel'aran'rhiod*, Egwene encounters the Aiel Wise One Amys, who instructs her to come to the Aiel Waste for training. Egwene subsequently arrives at Rhuidean with Rand's party and commences her intensive training as a dreamwalker. Egwene demonstrates rapid growth in her power and mastery of the World of Dreams, quickly becoming a formidable figure in her own right. She is characterized by her determination, strong desire to learn, and ambition.
Nynaeve and Elayne's primary mission is to track the Black Ajah, who they learn are in Tanchico, and specifically to prevent them from acquiring a male *a'dam*. They set sail for Tanchico aboard a Sea Folk ship, accompanied by their protectors, Juilin Sandar and Thom Merrilin. This plotline reveals the pervasive nature of the Shadow's infiltration and the immediate, existential threat posed by the Forsaken's schemes to control or corrupt the Dragon Reborn.
In Tanchico, they reunite with Bayle Domon, who assists them in establishing an information network. They encounter Egeanin, a Seanchan woman who is hunting runaway *sul'dam*. Egeanin initially takes advantage of the opportunity to learn about them. After spending an uneasy night with Egeanin as a prisoner, the revelation that Panarch Amathera is being held captive by the Black Ajah in her own palace prompts Egeanin to offer her assistance.
They are interrogated by the Forsaken Moghedien, who leaves them unharmed but demonstrates the formidable threat she poses. In a significant display of power, Nynaeve later duels Moghedien and wins, briefly encountering the Black Ajah. Nynaeve also meets Birgitte Silverbow, a Hero of the Horn, in *Tel'aran'rhiod*. To save Birgitte's life after a confrontation with Moghedien, Elayne forms an unwilling Warder bond with her, making Birgitte a permanent fixture in Elayne's life. Nynaeve recovers what she believes to be a male *a'dam* from the Panarch's museum. Egeanin and Domon agree to dispose of the dangerous artifact in the sea. Elayne and Egeanin successfully rescue Panarch Amathera from her captivity. Nynaeve continues to develop her formidable healing prowess and unwavering determination. Elayne grows in strength and begins to grapple with her royal duties, preparing for future leadership.
Min Farshaw arrives in Tar Valon, reporting to the Amyrlin Siuan Sanche and attempting to avoid suspicion by adopting the guise of a giddy, empty-headed woman named Elmindreda. A dramatic internal political upheaval then occurs: Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat, and Leane Sharif, her Keeper of the Chronicles, are deposed and brutally stilled (severed from the One Power) by Elaida Sedai and her supporters. They are subsequently tortured for information.
Elaida, a powerful and ambitious Red Ajah Aes Sedai with a talent for Foretelling, gains the support of the White and Red Ajahs, including key members of the Black Ajah like Alviarin Freidhen. She becomes the new Amyrlin Seat, with Alviarin taking Leane's former role. It is revealed that most of Elaida's Aes Sedai supporters are secretly part of the Black Ajah, and that Elaida herself is unwittingly a puppet of the Forsaken Rahvin, who thus gains control over the White Tower. This event signifies a major strategic victory for the Shadow, as it effectively neutralizes a powerful force for the Light by sowing internal discord and placing a compromised figure in a position of immense authority. This demonstrates how the Shadow's greatest successes often come from internal corruption and division rather than direct confrontation, profoundly weakening the Light's ability to resist the Last Battle.