Chapter 14 - The Stag and Lion

Description

In a lavish bath house at the Stag and Lion inn in Baerlon, Rand and his companions finally wash away a week’s worth of travel grime, though their brief moment of relaxation is interrupted by the bath attendant Ara’s loose talk of troubles and Trollocs, leading to a stern warning from Lan about keeping their identities secret. After a private dinner where they learn of the false Dragon Logain’s victory in Ghealdan, the group settles in for the night, with Moiraine proposing a two-day rest in the city. Rand, sharing a room with Lan and Thom, drifts into a terrifying dream where he encounters Ba’alzamon in a strange chamber with an impossible sky, who claims to have orchestrated major historical events and warns Rand that he will either serve him or be manipulated by the Aes Sedai until his death, leaving Rand to wake shaking and uncertain whether to trust Moiraine for help with these disturbing dreams.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Dreams of being in a mysterious stone room with impossible features, encounters Ba'alzamon who threatens and torments him, then wakes in terror at the inn contemplating whether to seek Moiraine's help with his nightmares.
  2. Lan, Elyas Machera - Is mentioned as sleeping in the same room as Rand and Thom.
  3. Thom Merrilin, Master Merrilin - Snores loudly in his bed and earlier had left the room to practice his performances.
  4. Ba'alzamon - Appears in Rand's dream as a man with flames for eyes and mouth, claims responsibility for historical events like the fall of Lews Therin and Artur Hawkwing, and tortures a rat to demonstrate his power.
  5. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Mentioned as someone who might be able to help with nightmares.

Takeaways

  1. Rand has a terrifying dream where he meets Ba'alzamon (implied to be the Dark One), who claims he can find Rand anywhere and has never truly been bound.
  2. Ba'alzamon reveals he influenced major historical figures like Artur Hawkwing and Lews Therin Kinslayer, demonstrating his long-term manipulation of events.
  3. Ba'alzamon warns Rand that the Aes Sedai will use him until he is consumed, just like they used other men including Logain, and threatens that Rand will serve him or die.
  4. The dream appears to be more than just a nightmare, as Ba'alzamon demonstrates real power by killing a rat through supernatural means, and can cause Rand physical pain.
  5. Rand ends up severely shaken by the experience and considers asking Moiraine for help with the nightmares, but remains uncertain about trusting an Aes Sedai.