The Last Battle is coming. Here is a the map of where everyone is at.
No noted here, lol
If I haven't already done it, remind me to put the "who is with who" diagrams in a convenient place for you.
An "army" of random farmers and everyday people show up in the last book as everyone is meeting for the Last Battle. It is all the people like this who just had a feeling they need to march to battle.
Renald himself is mentioned in the last book, along with another random farmer who shows up a couple of times earlier in the books.
Previously - Rand met with "Tuon" who was really Semirhage, and had his hand burned off.
But Rand's people overpowered the Seanchan there, and Semirhage herself.
Falendre is one of the sul'dam who was at that meeting.
Rand asks her to deliver to message to Tuon personally, but with Seanchan hierarchy rules, that's probably not possible. But whatever, they'll work something out.
Previously - Perrin worked with some Seanchan to defeat the Shaido.
Tylee was the leader of those Seanchan.
The disappearing people are ghosts.
The Seanchan have never seen trollocs before, and most of them don't even believe they exist.
I'm not sure what the point of these trollocs is. They just seem to be a random one-off group.
Maybe they were a group that got lost in the Ways while going to the giant attack on Rand during the previous book.
Or maybe the Shadow had plans to send trollocs all over the world and start appearing everywhere, but found that the Waygates had all be sealed/locked/guarded, and this was one of the few groups that found themselves able to go through an open Waygate.
If that is the case, maybe that's why they later all converge on Caemlyn - because they change plans and send all to one of the few Waygates available to them.
Previously - Mordin has given orders that Rand is not to be killed. Mat and Perrin are though.
He comes up with a few excuses, but the real reason that his link to Rand means that he himself will suffer (or maybe die himself) if Rand is killed.
Demandred, Mesaana and Semirhage have had an alliance almost since the beginning.
Graendal was working with Sammael, but he's now dead. Now she has an alliance with Aran'gar (Shim) after a bit of flirting at a previous meeting lol
Rand's next target is to get the nation of Arad Doman behind him. This is where Graendal is currently hiding out.
Graendal has already been the cause of some chaos in Arad Doman, sending fake orders from the King to Rodel Ituralde.
I don't think she does much to try to stop Rand in this book - or if she does, it's quite unsuccessful.
Previously - we heard from the Seanchan point of view that they sent an army to chase Ituralde's army and defeat him.
But as they were chasing him north, another army of Ituralde's appeared out of some mountains and is behind them, sandwitching the Seanchan between them.
Itsy always has a tricks up his sleeve!
Previously - Perrin used the Prophet's men in the attack on the Shaido, but used them in such a way that they would likely be wiped out.
He placed them in the direction that he knew the Shaido would flee, knowing that they would just cut straight through the Prophet's mob.
The Aes Sedai and Wise Ones with Perrin have always told him the Prophet should be killed.
With the Forsaken all under instructions to kill Mat and Perrin, it is likely that the Prophet's "vision" was actually one of them appearing to him. Not sure which one.
Previously - Rand was hanging out in eastern Tear somewhere in Lord Algarin's manor. Now he has moved to Arad Doman, where he sent many forces to restore order and get the nation behind him.
When they faced Semirhage, she claimed she knew Rand was hearing the voice of Lews Therin in his head, and that it was due to madness.
She also had male a'dam with her.
In other news - the Borderlanders are still in Andor, on their quest to find Rand.
Min's vision of Rand and another man merging could be Lews or Moridin. Both make sense.
Rand goes on about the new sword they found and gave to him. This is Artur Hawkwing's sword (named "Justice"). Rand recognises it from seeing Hero-of-the-Horn Hawkwing carrying it.
Lews rants about how they failed to seal Darky last time. The women did not help because they did not agree with Lews' plan to do a straight-out attack on Shayol Ghul. But he went ahead and did it anyway.
Sealing the prison properly requires both saidin and saidar, as all of the greatest feats of the power usually do.
Previously - Egwene is prisoner/novice in the Tower, and trying to undermine Elaida from within.
Shemerin - Sedai that Elaida reduced to Accepted for being a sookie la la
Meidani - one of the ferrets sent by the rebels. She was discovered by the Black Ajah hunters, who sent her to spy on Elaida for them, to see if Elaida is a Blacky. Elaida knows Meidani is being a spy, but thinks she is still working for the rebels, not for the Black Hunters.
Beonin - one of the original Salidar founders/leaders, and one who swore to Egwene. She is actually a spy for Elaida, and recently returned to the Tower to report.
But Egwene also talked to Beonin, and she's still mostly on Egwene's side.
No noteds needed. Because Egwene's adventures in this book are just cool lol
Previously - Many of Rand's peeps are in Arad Doman.
Bandar Eban - Capital of Arad Doman
Min and Aviendha have only ever met once, and that was when they all got together and bonded Rand.
Previously - Gawyn and the Younglings are under orders from Elaida to carry out raids on Gareth's army.
Elaida just wants to get rid of them. Originally, she sent them with the kidnap Sedai to get Rand.
Hammar and Coulin - warders who trained the newbies in the White Tower when Galad and Gawyn were there. They sided with Siuan during Elaida's takeover, so Gawyn had to fight and kill them.
Gawyn think Gareth Bryne should be in Caemlyn protecting Elayne. He is not because Morgase kicked him out while under Rahvin's influence.
Previously - Rand made High Lord Darlin the King of Tear, and told him to gather an army which would be coming to Arad Doman.
Rand has already sent a bunch of his people to Arad Doman. And also had Logain order the Sea Folk to bring supplies, and food.
Harine - the Sea Folk who made the bargain with Rand (well, Rand left his Aes Sedai to bargain with her, but whatever). It included Rand having a Sea Folk ambassador with him at all times, the Sea Folk getting some land in all of Rand's cities, and Rand answering a summons per year (approx) from the Mistress of Ships. In return, the Sea Folk will supply ships for Rand to use as needed.
Semirhage is captured, but Rand will not allow her to be tortured.
No noteds here.
Previously - Itsy stopped to fight the Seanchan who were persuing his army after his original raids.
Those Seanchan have another of Itsy's army behind them, following.
They fought at a city where Ituralde had some of his soldiers disguised as farmers, and the rest hidden inside the city, attacking the Seanchan from both sides as they tried to enter.
In the White Tower, Leane is a prisoner and Egwene is a novice. Yes, totally unrelated, but this chapter has 2 totally different stories in it, and there's not enough noteds to bother splitting it into multiple parts.
Itsy is so sneaky lol.
And in totally unrelated news, the White Tower changing around, also lol. See, no noteds to bother splitting up.
Previously - Rand has lots of people in Arad Doman.
Rand is right, Graendal is indeed in Arad Doman. But she doesn't have the king.
Previously, in New Spring - Moiraine and Siuan, while still just Accepted, started looking for baby dragon after hearing the foretelling by the Keeper at the time.
In the present day, in the rebel camp - Rand sent an Asha'man to tell them that they could bond Asha'man as warders, in exchange for the Sedai that Logain's buddies bonded.
While he was there, he felt a man chanelling and told them of a female forsaken who chanelled saidin, and Romanda worked out it was Halima. But she ran off before being caught.
In this chaper, Siuan tells Egwene where the storeroom is with a stash of angreal and stuff in the basement. This is a little detail that is important later when Egwene needs some mad chanelling.
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido.
But they were rescued!!!
During the rescue, there were several other Shaido septs on their way to join the main group, which Perrin was worried about ruining their plans. They are still around.
The Shaido ended up where they are because Sammael wanted to put a bunch of them in between himself Rand's giant army (which was advancing on Illian). And he scattered all the rest to random places so it wasn't obvi that he did it - just looked like they were sent all over the place randomly.
Perrin recruited Tam to help command the rescue mission.
The Seanchan helped also. Perrin made a deal with them, part of which was that he would "raise Manetheran" against them.
And Aram tried to kill him - but the Aiel got him instead.
They say they "couldn't use water from the city due to the forkroot" - which is dumb. As long as only non-channellers drink it, it's fine. They just needed to keep the forkroot water separate.
Previously - Ituralde has been fighting the Seanchan, but they are still sending more and more after him.
Before going to fight the Seanchan, he had been getting random orders from King Alsalam (really from Graendal)
Rand has brought his people to Arad Doman, mostly his Aiel.
He wants to get the members of the Merchant Council so they can elect a new King.
I have no idea what the point of Itsy's story about juggling is lol. Maybe that "if your enemy keep throwing more and more at you, the only way to respond is to do something completely unexpected at the last minute". But I dunno, I just made that up.
So Rand is going to have Iturdale (who is from Arad Doman) fighting in Saldaea, and Bashere (who is from Saldaea) helping lead the forces in Arad Doman. Lol.
Previously - Avi is with Rand and his Aiel in Arad Doman.
She is continually being punished by the Wise Ones for "not learning fast enough". But she doesn't get it.
Rand met with Ituralde, and is sending him to the Borderlands to guard against trolloc invasions.
He also wants to gather the Merchant Council to elect a new King.
There is an Aiel prophecy that Rand will break the Aiel and leave only "a remnant of a remnant"
No noteds
Previously - Siuan told Egwene about Halima, and the bonding of Asha'man and Aes Sedai and of Lelaine trying to take charge in Egwene's absence.
The White Tower is changing around. Some Brown Ajah room are now where the novices were.
During dinner with Elaida, Egwene asked Meidani (ferret) to ask her to come see her, so she can talk (and probably give instructions)
Meidani was having dinner with Elaida because the Black Ajah hunters discovered she was a rebel-ferret and made her spy on Elaida for them.
Beonin - was a rebel, but really a spy for Elaida. Since returning to the Tower, Egwene has spoken to her, and she's still kind of on her side as well.
Bennae - Sedai that Egwene told about the "secret depository" in the White Tower library.
"We are all serving the interests of the Shadow so long as we allow ourselves to remain divided". Correct. Darky wants everyone against each other, and not united, as the Last Battle approaches.
Previously - Gawyn and the Younglings are in the village of Dorlan. A few of Elaida's Sedai are there also. He is leading raids against the rebel army.
Hammar and Coulin - warders who trained the newbies in the White Tower when Galad and Gawyn were there. They sided with Siuan during Elaida's takeover, so Gawyn had to fight and kill them.
Katerine - Red Ajah (and Black) who was in Dorlan previously, but decided she was going to try to sneak back into Tar Valon along with a few other sisters.
Katerine must have got back into Tar Valon, where Elaida showed her Travelling (which she learned from her spy, Beonin). Now the Sedai with Gawyn can use Travelling to help his attacks.
Sorilea - old hard-ass Wise One who is allied with Caduane.
Sorilea taught Cadsuane how to Travel (and she in turn had learned if from Egwene)
Rand refuses to let anyone torture Semirhage during their questioning of her.
They discuss how Rand won't tell them how many Forsaken are gone or how many remain. It wouldn't matter anyway, Rand does't know that some dead ones have been brought back!
Cadsuane as some of her buddies examining the black a'dam and Callandor. But Min ends up working out the secrets of Callandor.
Previously - in Book 1, Ishamael used to appear in the boys dreams, pretending to be the Dark One.
Channelling the True Power often causes black flecks to appear in the channellers eyes.
3000 years ago, in Prologue number 1, Ishamael made Lews sane again for a brief moment, so he could see all that he had done, and that he had killed his own family.
Moridin is unhappy about Rand losing a hand, because he was able to feel it through their link.
More recently, a bubble of evil caused a fire at the manor house Rand is at.
So the place that Rand and Moridin are is a "Dreamshard". It's like a thing part-way between telrod, and a normal dream. But it is only temporary, and someone has to make it.
Ishamael used to make such places to visit the boys (because he couldn't pull them all the way into telrod, and it is dangerous to go into someone else's dream, because they are in charge there).
That explanation is maybe not totally right, but that's my understanding.
Anyway, this chapter was Moridin's dreamshard that he made. Rand should not be able to be there unless Moridin brought him in. But their link means Rand just found himself there.
"I do not know what would happen if we killed each other" Moridin says, pondering the strange link between them. Well, you will find out at the very end, Morry. He'd better RAFO.
"Is that what made you turn to his side?" Rand asks. Yes, Ishamael went to the Dark One because he figured that if the wheel kept turning, eventually the Dark One would win and therefore break the wheel, so eventually, he will get the ultimate win.
Min is correct about what the note means. Rand has to break the seals so he can re-block the hole properly. But how can he break them without Darky getting out to cause much chaos and damage.
At the end, the Aiel are talking about how they will get revenge on the Seanchan for collaring Aiel (even though the ones they saw were just the Shaido that Perrin helped them get). Attacking the Seanchan will not end well for them in the future - hopefully someone will see that, and prevent it. hehe.
Previously - Egwene is in the Tower and having some success in speaking to Aes Sedai, bringing them to her way of thinking. She is trying to not just get Elaida out, but also repair the distrust between Ajahs.
Tarna - Elaida's new Keeper now she kicked Alviarin out. She was one of the Reds who decided that Reds should bond male chanellers to keep them under control, so went (with Pevara and some others) to see Taim about doing just that at the very end of the previous book.
Katerine - Red (and Black) that appeared back at Gawyn's village a while ago. She knows Travelling.
Egwene notes that the Red Sitters are all out of the Tower at the moment. For my own info, here's who they are, and where they are:
Pevara and Javindhra are both at the Black Tower, wanting to bond asha'man because the Red Ajah should be taking care of male channelers.
Duhara - the Sedai that Elaida sent to Elayne to be her advisor.
And apparently Tesyln (with Mat) was originally a Red Sitter as well, but Elaida booted her and sent her to Ebou Dar lol
Previously - Semirhage must be questioned without torture, as per Rand's instructions.
SPANKING!
Previously - Faile and some others were captur… oh, I don't have to write that any more!
During Faile's rescue there were some other Shaido septs coming to join the main crowd, which Perrin was concerned about.
When Trollocs came to the Two Rivers, Perrin's family was all killed before he arrived. He cried a lot
Perrin is suddenly starting to worry about becoming an uncontrolable wolf-man. Not quite sure where this sudden concern came from. But it will consume his thoughts for the next 2 books, just like rescuing Faile did for the last 4 (million)
Previously - Elaida learned Travelling from Beonin, who was a spy for her in the rebels.
Narishma, the asha'man, came to see the rebels to offer them to bond asha'man, in repayment for the Sedai that Logain and buddies bonded. It was him detecting saidin in the camp that let Romanda deduce that Shim was a forsaken.
While Egwene was still around, Lelaine and Romanda were the almost-boss Sedai who had both wanted to be Amyrlin, and are always against each other. With Egwene gone, Lelaine is starting to take command.
Sharina - old grandma novice in the rebel Sedai camp. Has taken to being the organiser of novices.
Siuan notes that Sheriam seems to be looking better than she had been lately. "Perhaps whatever had been ailing her had passed" - yup, because Shim has left the camp, and stopped giving her orders.
Previously - Tuon returned to Ebou Dar and got rid of Suroth.
After the confrontation with Semirhage, Rand sent the sul'dam and damane back to Ebou Dar to ask for a proper meeting. Falendre is the sul'dam he specifically asked to speak to Tuon.
Many books ago - Elayne un-wove a gateway and made it explode. The Seanchan think this is a weapon known by Aes Sedai.
Turan - Seanchan commander that Ituralde defeated and killed.
Karede - FUUURRRRRYK's surname
Tylee Khirgan - Seanchan commander who worked with Perrin, and then encountered trollocs on their way back to Ebou Dar.
Tuon pondered how to make Aes Sedai more useful as damane. "There could be a way to twist their supposed vows. Something Matrim had said in passing made her suspect they could" - I'm not sure what it was Mat said about this.
Bloodknives will be used in the attack on Tar Valon. These are the assassins who wear the rings of super-powers that Gawyn later gets his hands on.
Previously - Mat defeated the mob that was after Tuon, and sent her back to Ebou Dar.
While in Luca's show, there was an episode where Tuon, the sul'dam and the Aes Sedai were all at each other, and Mat ended up spanking Joline.
Mat is with part of the Band, but there are other parts of the Band who headed for Caemlyn before they found Mat.
Before this, the Band were working for King Roedran of Murrandy. The King had made them an offer when they were passing through with Egwene's army.
Brandon's first attempt at writing Mat. He's acting not quite like Robert-Jordan's-Mat, he's a bit weird. I've never noticed before but they also talk about how Mat is acting strange because he's worried about Tuon. I wonder if Brandon knew his Mat was not quite right and put that in to explain it lol
Previously - Faile and some others were captured by the Shaido.
During their rescue, they had to kill the Aiel men who were helping them, to stop them killing Perrin and his people.
Then after she was free, she arranged Masema the Prophet to be killed.
Way back in book something-or-other, Rand sent Perrin to this part of the world to get the Prophet and bring him to Rand.
Gaul is after Chiad, but she won't be with him unless Bain is also part of it. The two women were also gaishain to the Shaido.
Shadowkilled - Wolf name for Rand
Hopper talks about what will happen "If Shadowkiller falls to the storm" - he is talking about what will happen is Rand doesn't change his ways. The wolves will be there to watch Rand cry on the mountain-top
Perrin continues to randomly wonder about becoming wolf-man and stuff, for no reason other than he needs to for his next story to make sense lol
Previously - Semirhage is captured, and Cadsuane spanked her because Rand wouldn't let anyone torture her.
She was captured in the first place because one of Cadusane's hair-ornament-ter'angreal disrupted the weaves making her Tuon-disguise.
Elza - one of the sisters with Rand who is a blacky. She was the one who killed Osan'gar at the cleansing thinking he was a loyal asha'man.
Meanwhile - Rand is taking Ituralde to Saldaea to guard the Blight.
Rand saw Moridin in his dream, and knows the Forsaken can be reincarnated unless they are balefired.
Min reckons Rand has to break the Seals, after pondering the note from Herid Fel.
Cadsuane has the male a'dam and the super-angreal-mini-statue secured in a box in her room.
Lews rants about how they failed to seal Darky properly last time and how saidin was tainted because Darky was able to touch it at the point of sealing. They need to put something else between Darky and saidin/saidar to stop him doing it again. Hmmm.
Rand wonders if the bubble of evil was "his fault" due to being ta'veren. Maybe. But there's also a scene during the Last Battle which implies that Darky actually causes ALL the bubbles of evils himself during his confrontation with Rand. Like he was able to reach back in time and make all these things happen as part of his psychological attacks on Rand, trying to show Rand how he will kill everyone. But maybe I just read that bit the wrong way.
The True Power. The Power from the Dark One. Rand is able to touch it due to his link with Moridin.
Previously - Rand escaped from the male a'dam by finding a way to channel the True Power.
Corele, Nesune and Daigian - the three sisters who were guarding and shielding Semirhage, before she was freed by Shaidar Haran.
Rand knows that he must balefire the forsaken to stop them returning, thanks to his encounter with Moridin in the dream.
Cadsuane thinks that Semirhage was able to get past the wards she had protecting the box with the collar - but actually, it was Shaidar Haran with his super-darky-powers that did it. Elza just brought the collar to Semi when she was freed.
Rand only says "If I see your face again" to Cadsuane. Being a Sedai, she will of course take advantage of this wording lol
Dark Rand. A product of him using the True Power. The description of a darkness around someone is used previously to describe Ishamael (I think it's even in the prologue of book 1)
Previously - Gawyn had been leading raids againstt the Rebel Sedai army. But then he heard that Egwene was captured, so abandoned his men and went to try helping her.
Gawyn still thinks Rand killed Margase, and doesn't know much about what has been happening in Caemlyn since he left way back near the start of all books.
Shemerin - Sedai that Elaida reduced to Accepted for being a sookie la la, now hiding out as a washing lady. Also this means that Sheriam and Shemerin are in the same camp lol
"Ask your sister, see what she says of it" - she'll say "oh yeah, I'm pregnant with Rand's babies" lol
Previously - Egwene is now in a cell, rather than being a novice, since standing up to Elaida at dinner and getting attacked by her.
Sheriam has been taking orders from Halima (Shim). But Shim is now gone, after Romanda worked out her and Delana were Darkies.
The Forsaken that appeared to Sheriam was Mesaana (who is hiding out in the tower). She uses the same appearance as she did to Alviarin in earlier books.
Sheriam will not manage to get all of the ter'angreal, because she thinks Leane has one and is captured in the Tower (actually Siuan has that one). Keep an eye out for her missing a finger later lol
Previously - Aviendha is being punished by the Wise Ones constantly. Apparently for "not learning fast enough".
Wise Ones go to Rhuidean twice. The first time is to see their possible lives, as Moiraine did. The second time is to see the Aiel history.
Avi (and all the Aiel) already know the Aiel history since Rand revealed it to all. And Rhuidean is all open just like a regular city, but she still has to go to complete the process of being accepted as Wise One
Previously - Shemerin was demoted to Accepted, then ran away from Tar Valon and startin hiding out as a wash-lady for the rebels. Gawyn found her.
She was demoted because we was uncomfortable talking about Rand and the Last Battle and Elaida didn't like her lol
In the Tower, Egwene is now in the cells after her encounter with Elaida at dinner.
No noteds.
Previously - Mat and the Band are near the town of Hinderstrap. They need supplies. Mat will go in with a few others and see what he can get.
Are you ready for them?
Previously - Mat and co are in Hinderstrap. They were told they must be out of town by nightfall. But they stayed just too long.
Barlden - Mayor
And now its time for…
…ZOMBIES!
Mat says "it reminded him of another night, killing shadowspawn in the dark". I am not sure exaclty what time he is remembering. Could be book 4 when Trollocs attacked the Aiel Hold in the Waste. Or maybe the start of that book in the Stone of Tear. Or could be from one of his other-guys-memories.
The drawings of Mat and Perrin are done by darkfriends looking for them - as the orders for Darkies are currently to leave Rand and go for the other two.
But the specific person looking for Mat is not one of those Darkfriends. This other person just happened to get Mat's picture from them and used it herself to start looking for Mat for other reasons.
Previously - Rand discovered Ishy is back, and that balefire is required to kill the Forsaken for good.
Dobraine - noble that Rand left in charge of Cairhien. He was attacked at the start of book 10 by darkfriends looking for the Seals.
The male super-angreal access key (mini-statue) was in the same box with the male a'dam that Cadsuane had. Since Semirhage broke free, Rand has got the statue again.
The female one was damaged beyond repair during the cleansing.
Rand escaped from the collar by accessing the True Power (through Moridin)
Cadsuane is now exiled and Rand said he should not "see her face" again
Rand ordered the Sea Folk to come to Arad Doman with food for the nation. Logain went to see them to give the order last book.
Aviendha has gone to Rhuidean.
Darlin is in charge of Tear (King) and Rand told him to gather forces to go to Arad Doman.
Rand wants to find the King, or elect a new one.
The women Rand has killed that he thinks about at the start:
Nameless darkfriend - killed her in book 3 while he was on his way to Tear on his own, and darkfriends and darkhounds were constantly coming after him. Chopped her head off with a sword of the Power.
Liah - Aiel Maiden who got lost in Shadar Logoth and Rand killed her while fighting Sammael to save her suffering at the hands of the fog.
Colavaere - Claimed the throne of Cairhien while Rand was kidnapped. Killed herself after Rand stripped her of all titles.
Gawyn wants to rescue Egwene, but she has given orders for no one to come for her.
Shemerin (the "Accepted") was found hiding out as a washer-woman in the rebel camp.
Gareth Bryne tried to tell Gawyn about Morgase's downfall under the influence of "Gaebril", but he did not believe much of it.
No noteds
Previously - Cadsuane is exiled so Rand is not to see her face.
Alsalam - missing King of Arad Doman
Rand wants to find the man who carried the most recent message from the King. He suspects Graendal has the King, so the messenger may lead him to Graendal's hideout.
Falme - where cloud battle happened!
Rand is still trying to organise a proper meeting with the Seanchan.
The balances of ta'veren are not happening at the moment because Rand is becoming a bit dark. Bad things are starting to be the more common thing.
"Whoever had stolen the collar had been exceedingly powerful and crafty" - Cadsuane assumes a forsaken. But it was Shaidar Haran with his super-darky-powers.
Cadsuane doesn't know about the Oath Rod being the thing that causes ageless look, and shortens your life. So she is confused about the Wise Ones.
Rand wonders if he is any different to Lan - riding to his death for honour. One of Rand's realisations later is that he needs to allow others fight against the Shadow alongside him, and not try to do everything himself and assume he has to protect everyone.
Rand sees Perrin with Galad. We don't hear this story until the second half of next book, but it happens at the same time as this.
Previously - Rand is trying to find the King.
He learned that the most recent messenger from the King (maybe from Graendal) died after being locked in a cell and forgotten about.
Lady Chadmar - the member of the Council of Merchants that was handling that messenger. Rand now threw her in a cell as well.
Nynaeve used to hate Moiraine for taking everyone away from Two Rivers. But this is the first time we hear her starting to think "actually, she was doing what she needed, and doing a good job"
Nynaeve doesn't know what's going on in Tar Valon. There is sort of an excuse for lack of communication this time, since Nynaeve doesn't have a way to get to telrod. But they can TRAVEL! Just go find out what's happening!!
Nynaeve discovered who was responsible for the well-timed death of the most recent messenger from the King.
In book 4 - Before Moggy was Nyaneve's arch-nemesis, Moggy visited Elayne and Nynaeve in Tanchico and use compulsion on them to find out what they were up to.
No noteds
Previously - Mat and co encountered ZOMBIE village, Hinderstrap.
Several girls they took tied up out of Zombie-ville, they just vanished in the morning, much to the shock of the Warders who were guarding them.
While travelling with Luca's show, Mat and co came across a ghost-village that sunk into the group taking some poor peddler with it, leaving only his hat lol
There is a woman with pictures of Mat, looking for him.
Bat Poo! Apparently was really used to help making gunpowder back in the day, because when it dries out it ends up with a layer of certain chemical on it that can be used in explosives.
We last saw Verin with Rand in the manor house near Tear. She just randomly left, claiming she had done all she could there.
Previously - Rand arranged a meeting with Tuon (the real one, this time) in Falme.
Rand carries the sword of Artur Hawkwing, after some people randomly discovered it and gifted it to him.
Selucia is Tuon's maid, but also secretly her trained bodyguard. Very very few people know this role. Thom worked it out one day when he saw her fighting.
Tuon got word of Trollocs near Ebou Dar from Tylee - the commanded who had been working with Perrin.
The Seanchan are in the planning stages for the attack on Tar Valon.
The sword reminds Rand of his last visit to Falme in more than one way: First, he saw hero-Hawkwing carrying that sword while there. Second, because it was Hawkwing who sent his son across the ocean with an army that eventually founded the current Seanchan empire.
The Seanchan prophecies say that Rand will be "blind" and will "stand on his own grave and weep"
These both refer to Rand and his guru-on-the-mountain moment. He will be "blind" in that he cannot see what he must do, and only realises on the mountain.
And "his own grave" is Lews Therin's "grave" - Dragonmount, which he will be on
Nynaeve is becoming very reasonable - now she is admitting that Mat rescued her and saved her life, rather than getting all cranky at him lol
I'm not sure if there is any significance in the fact that Tuon is able to resist Rand's ta'veren pull trying to make her agree to whatever he wants. Maybe something to do with "dark Rand" only making bad things happen, and the lack of peace being a bad thing.
Tuon orders the attack on Tar Valon thinking that it will a strike "against the Dragon Reborn" - lol, yeah, not really, they are not working together.
Previously - Verin found Mat, after leaving Rand's manor house near Tear.
They are currently in northern Murandy.
Mat notices that Verin has other letters. We see a few other people with these letters during the last few books, but never know what is on any of them.
Given the info we know she gives out, I assume it's all info about Darky plots and identities of darkfriends to help the good guys counter those things and people as best they can.
Galad and Alanna are seen with them in the future. And Rand gets given one passed onto him next book also. As I said, we never see what is in them, but I will note the theories and hints we get when they come up.
Previously - After meeting with Rand, Tuon declared herself Empress.
Then ordered the attack on Tar Valon to commence.
Bloodknives will be used in the attack on Tar Valon. These are the assassins who wear the rings of super-powers that Gawyn later gets his hands on.
They still think attack on Tar Valon thinking that it will turn Rand against them more. Maybe. But Rand and Aes Sedai are not really working together or anything.
Previously - Rand failed to get peace with the Seanchan.
But he did find out a possible location for Graendal thanks to Nynaeve, who found a poor dude was under her compulsion. "Natrin's Barrow" he said.
Ramshalan - idiot noble lol
Cadsuane went to the Wise Ones hoping to get help with her latest plan to deal with Rand.
Min has a viewing of Dragonmount shrouded in dark clouds, but with a pinprick of light shining down on it. Rand's sooking on the mountain moment.
Rand talks about Callandor. It can only be safely be used by a man if he is in a circle with two women.
Min notes the bruises on her neck are still there from Rand strangling her. But shouldn't they have vanished when Rand balefired Semi, because it would have cancelled out her making Rand strangle her. Hmm, or did it not count because it was actually Rand doing the strangling. Interesting. And irrelevant lol.
Cadsuane wants Nynaeve to find Perrin. But she doesn't want Perrin himself, she wants someone who is with Perrin.
Previously - Egwene is now in a cell, not a novice.
Gawyn wants to rescue Egwene, but she has given orders for no one to come for her.
Katerine - Red Ajah, and Blackie. One of Elaida's BFFs at the moment.
Saerin - one of the Black Ajah Hunters. She was sort of their leader at this point.
Silviana - Mistress of Novices. Had a discussion about how the only reason Elaida was able to demote Shemerin to accepted was because Shemerin accepted (pun) it.
Verin visited Mat and gave him a letter, then Travelled him and the Band to Caemlyn.
Why did "Need" take Egwene to a Travelling People camp? Hmmm, don't know
She wonders about Aram, Raen and Ila who she met with Perrin in book 1. Well, Aram is a little dead chit lol. The other two, his grandparents, will show up briefly in book 14.
Katerine probably does think she will "succeed where Silviana failed" as Mistress of Novices, as Katerine is blacky and can get away with more. Mwahahaha.
Verin is in Egwene's room. She can lie. Egwene is forkrooted and unable to channel.
In the rest of the Tower, Elaida is trying to execute Silviana for standing up for Egwene, and the rest of the Tower are trying to stop it from happening.
In Book 3, Verin helped the girls when Siuan sent them out after Liandrin and Black Ajah. Verin gave them info about the Black sisters and the dream ter'angreal.
Verin keeps mentioning Laras during this chapter, and her ability to make good tea. There is a theory that Verin gave Laras other important information which she wanted Egwene to know. In book 14, we see Laras as part of the plan to secretly transport the Horn of Valere to Mat. And Verin was the one who brought the Horn back from Falme with the girls in book 3. So maybe the info was about the Horn and what to do with it.
Verin says that removing the Black Ajah oaths might not have worked with the Oath Rod. But we know it does, because the Black Ajah hunters did it with the Blacky they found.
There are over 200 Black Ajah. There are only about 1000 Aes Sedai - that's A LOT of Blackies!
Verin is not sure what the Dark One wants. He wants destruction and chaos. He wants the opposite of order, creation and peace. Because he is the "balance" that the universe against all the forces of good and creation in the universe, including the Creator.
The Blackies Egwene mentions:
Katerine - new Mistress of Novices, and often guarding Egwene. Was part of Rand's kidnap.
Alivarin - former Keeper for Elaida. Now a nobody lol. But still one of the main leaders of the Black.
Elza - part of Rand's kidnapping, then swore to him under Verin's subtle compulsion. Killed Osan'gar at the cleansing battle thinking he was just a loyal Asha'man. Then was with Semirhage when she collared Rand, and was balefired.
Galina - leader of Rand's kidnapping. Then captured by the Shaido. Now FML forever with Therava and the Shaido Wise Ones.
Sheriam - Mistress of Novices in the early books. Was with the girls when the found the Grey Man corpse in the Tower. Then one of the originators of the rebel Sedai, and now Egwene's keeper.
Duhara - the Sedai that Elaida sent to Elayne to be her advisor.
Velina and Sedore - both involved in deposing Siuan, but other than that, not relevant.
Delana - working with Shim
Talene - the one that the Black Ajah hunters found
Moria - a Sitter with the rebels. Other than Sheriam, she is the only one in the rebels Hall.
Dagdara - Yellow Ajah in the rebels. Was against Nynaeve trying to heal Logain, Siuan and Leane. Until she did it lul
Nesita - was seen making a gateway by some people in Kandor, which let the rebels realise that Elaida knows Travelling
Zanica, Larissa, Miyaso, Nacelle, Nalaene, Birlen, Melvara, Chai - all irrelevant
Previously - Verin gave Egwene information about the Black Ajah. But now the Seanchan have arrived and started their attack!
Egwene was talking with Siuan in telrod, but was awoken when the attack started.
She still cannot channel much due to forkroot.
Back in book 4 - Min and Laras (Mistress of Kitchens) freed Siuan and Leane from their cells after being deposed. Gawyn then helped them get out of Tar Valon, even though he was not on Siuan's side in the fighting.
Vora's sa'anagreal is what Egwene will use in the Last Battle, in particular while fighting Taim. It was previously seen in book 4 when they healed Mat of the dagger.
Previously - the Seanchan attack is underway. Egwene is blowing them up. Siuan, Bryne and Gawyn are coming to rescue her.
They will go in through a water-gate that Shemerin (the "accepted") used to escape.
Katerine is the new Mistress of Novices.
Sections of the Brown Ajah rooms and novices rooms have swapped places in the Tower.
Renna - the sul'dam that held Egwene back in book 2. Then ended up with Mat, and he ordered her killed when she tried to run from Luca's show and betray them to the Seanchan.
Ages ago, Min had a viewing that two times Gareth and Siuan must stay close together or they will both die.
The dude Bryne kills and then Siuan saves him from poison is one of the Bloodknives (with the magic rings that Gawyn later gets)
They now think that Min's viewing is fulfilled - Gareth saved Siuan and Siuan saved Gareth. That's two times. Wrong, they have to save each other twice each. They should still stay together.
Previously - Rand got Darlin (King of Tear) to gather his armies to prepare to come to Arad Doman. But Rand hasn't got him to come to Arad Doman yet.
He is trying to get a new King elected by finding the Council of Merchants members. Lady Chadmar is one of the few he has found.
Rand went and balefired Graendal's palace.
He failed to make a deal with Tuon.
He got Ituralde and sent him to Saldaea to guard the blight, since the Borderland armies have all marched south looking for Rand.
Apparently all the food has gone bad. This is not actually true. We will find out more next book, after Rand becomes new elightened Buddha Dragon.
Lews likes Weirdy-mon LOL
Previously - Egwene was rescued during the Seanchan attacks on the Tower.
She has information from Verin about who are Black Ajah.
Egwene says she is going to "order a group of people she cares about to slaughter another group of people I care about" - she means this in more ways than one.
This part is a meeting between the Heads of the Ajahs in the White Tower.
Both the Hall of the Tower in the rebels and in the Tower itself contain some unusual choices of Sitters. This was noticed by both Siuan and by some of the Black Ajah Hunters in the Tower.
In this part, we get to hear the explanation of why those unsual choices were made. It was the Heads of the Ajahs that organised it.
If you don't get it, it doesn't matter. It's just some little side-plot by the Heads, and has no relevance really. Lol.
So basically, they sent some sitters to the rebels on purpose, to try to manipulate things to end the split quickly. Then they filled the spots in the two Halls with sitters that were supposed to be temporary (stand down once the tower was reunited). Those "temporary" ones were the strange choices, chosen so the Heads could basically tell them what to do.
Anyway - the main point of this is that they have agreed that Egwene should be BOSS.
Previously - before going to rescue Egwene, Gareth demanded that Siuan bond him, and that he would make a "second request" later.
Egwene knows many Black Ajah, thanks to Verin.
Sheriam was ordered to steal all the dream ter'angreal for Mesaana, and would lose a finger or toe for each one she didn't get.
Egwene was moping about how she was rescued and taken out of the Tower, so couldn't continue her work from within the Tower. But they she was happy to Travel back to get Verin's book and the Oath Rod. Surely she could have just Travelled back into the Tower, and pretended like she had never been gone.
Previously - Nynaeve sent Lan on a journey across the Borderlands.
Nynaeve wants to help Cadsuane with Rand, but Cads won't reveal her latest plan. Just told Nynaeve to find Perrin.
The Borderlanders that are looking for Rand spent a long time in Caemlyn while Elayne was going through her story. They have since moved on southward, and are now somewhere else. Rand will be going to meet them in this chapter.
Previously - in Book 2. While chasing Fain to get the dagger and horn back, Rand fell asleep near a Portal Stone, and accidentally transported himself, Loial and Hurin to another world. There they fought three-eyed Grolm, and met "Selene" (Lanfear)
(Hurin was the "sniffer" who could smell violence, and was leading them on Fain's trail)
In Book 9 - Rand went to Far Madding to kill the Asha'man that were after him. This is the city in which you cannot channel. Except that you can channel if you have a ter'angreal like Nynaeve and Cadsuane used there.
In Book 3 - Mat rescued the girls from the Stone of Tear. He broke in using a firework from Aludra. Nynaeve finally admitted he was right to rescue them, when talking to Tuon.
Rand wove two gateways in quick succession to avoid having to "learn" the place he was leaving from. Clever. If you get what he did.
Previously - Egwene did her plan to get all the Black Ajah out of the rebel camp by having everyone re-swear on the Oath Rod.
While Egwene was prisoner, Lelaine tried to take command by pretending to be super-loyal to Egwene's wishes.
The rebels sent a group of Sedai to the Black Tower to bond "47 asha'man" as they were offered. We haven't seen the Black Tower all this book.
Sheriam stole all (well, 19 out of 20) of the dream ter'angreal for Mesaana. The one she didn't get was the one Leane had with her when she was catpured by the Tower.
"She had learned from Moghedien that there was a price to be paid for greed" - they used Moggy the prisoner to get as much information as they could about new weaves. But kept her too long, and she got away.
I'm also not sure how some of the Black Ajah in the camp knew about Egwene's plan before they were caught. But they will surely go and warn the ones in the Tower now, so they won't catch many of them.
I've noticed lots of people say "Aye" now that Brandon is writing. It's weird.
There were not many soldiers guarding the bridges and walls because there were all sorts of other issues within the city caused by the Seanchan attacks to deal with. The example given in a later chapter is fires across the city needing to be put out.
Previously - Egwene is to be the Amyrlin of all Sedai.
Saerin, Doesine, Yukiri, Seaine - Black Ajah Hunters
Duhara - the Sedai that Elaida sent to Elayne to be her advisor.
Silviana - Mistress of Novices who stood up for Egwene in front of Elaida and was threatened with execution.
The Red Sitters are all absent - Duraha (also Black) is in Caemlyn, sent to be Elayne's advisor. The other 2 are at the Black Tower, having gone to ask Taim to bond asha'man, after they decided that's what the Red Ajah should do.
Previously - Cadsuane is still trying to get Rand to stop being an angry-man.
She wanted to find Perrin, because there was someone with him vital to her plan.
Hurin - "sniffer" that the Borderlanders sent to meet with Rand.
Choedan Kal - the name of the super-angreals.
Those angreal were initially created to be used to end the war with Darky in Lews Therin's day. Maybe to seal him up.
But Lews thought they were too dangerous and didn't want them in his plans.
While fighting the Seanchan in book 8, Callandor went crazy and started throwing lightning at Rand's own people as well as the Seanchan.
Rand pondered the time he tried to bring a girl back to life in the Stone of Tear, but failed (obvi). This was the first time he really did something that he didn't previously know about - maybe the first time he accessed the memories of Lews (even though he didn't know it at the time).
Tam mentions whitecloaks and Morgase. We go back and hear that story next book.
Rand tells Tam he lost his sword that he carried with him from Two Rivers back in book 1. That sword melted while fighting Ishy in the CLOUDS.
Rand's gateway went to Ebou Dar. He intends to carry out his idea to destroy the Seanchan on his own.
Previously - Tam tried to talk to Rand, but Rand lost his poo when he realised Cadsuane had sent him.
Then he ran off to destroy the Seanchan.
Previously - Min likes to read books and try to puzzle out the prophecies and what Rand is supposed to do.
Callandor is one of the main puzzles. With all its flaws, and its importance in the prophecies, what is it to be used for.
"He shall hold a blade of light in his hands, the three shall be one" - this is Callandor, and the "three" are the three powers: saidin, saidar, and the True Power. Even Cadsuane didn't get that right.
Min has a vision of Nynaeve kneeling over someone's corpse. I'm not sure who that is. Could be Rand, I guess.
The Sedai Beldeine has a "black knife" image. It is likely indicating she gets killed by Sharan people in the Last Battle (who apparently have black knives)
Tam is cool. Telling Cadsuane off lol.
Previously - Rand ran off to destory the Seanchan on his own.
We have previously heard about the Travelling People making their way to Seanchan lands as they hear there is more order there, less violence.
I don't think there is a reason why Rand got so sick on this particular occasion when he tried to channel. Just to stop him killing everyone lol
Previously - Rand is on the mountain.
He failed to destroy the Seanchan after he got super-sick when he seized saidin.
Tam asked Rand to think about "why" he fights. Not just "because I have to"
"If I live again, then she might as well" Lews thinks of Ilyena. Some people think that Elayne is Ilyena reborn. Similar name, same hair, connected to Rand.
"He would never hear Lews Therin's voice again. They were not two men, and never had been" - Rand is now super-Rand-Lews-combo-enlightened-Buddha-man!
Previously - Egwene is Amyrlin. There is a giant hole in the wall of the Hall of the Tower that looks out over Dragonmount.
Silviana is her new Keeper.
Rand is enlightened on the mountain.
How did Mesaana get away with swearing the oaths and not being found out? One of the mysteries Egwene tries to solve next book.
Egwene narrows down her list of possible aliases for Mesaana to three Sedai. None of them are correct. Mesaana did indeed find a way to get around the swearing-oaths process.
"At the end of time, when the many become one" - during the Last Battle all the different "worlds" merge into one at Shayol Ghul, so there is not a different Last Battle in each world. Rand is the one and only, responsible for them all.
"The blind man shall stand upon his own grave, and there shall he see again" - Rand was "blind" as to what he must do, but now he knows. And he was on Dragonmount, Lews Therin's "grave".