Chapter 8 - Hard Heads

Summary

Elayne confesses her deep affection for Rand and secures a kiss from him before departing to meet the Tairen High Lords, who express relief at her departure. Rand struggles with the lords' stubbornness regarding taxes and grain sales, eventually asserting his authority to lower taxes and order trade with Mayene. Meanwhile, Egwene and Mat discuss Mat's unsettling memories and the ter'angreal doorway, with Egwene warning him of the dangers before he dismisses using it.

Characters

• Rand (my Lord Dragon, Lord Dragon) — Rand reacts with confusion and awkwardness to Elayne's confession and kiss, later dismissing his lingering thoughts about women to focus on the High Lords. He forces the Tairen lords to accept tax cuts and orders them to hire ships from Mayene, displaying a commanding presence that silences their resistance.
• Sunamon — Sunamon addresses Rand with deference, attempting to discuss the lowering of taxes while hiding his discomfort with the Lord Dragon's presence.
• Egwene — Egwene walks with Mat, discovering he has been playing cards rather than dealing with his issues. She listens to his fears about his missing memories and secretly informs him about the ter'angreal doorway, warning him of its dangers.