PROLOGUE

Summary

Rodel Ituralde meets with Domani nobles and Taraboner leaders under the White Ribbon truce, proposing an alliance to fight the Seanchan invasion of Arad Doman and Tarabon. He secures their pledges and outlines a plan to infiltrate Tarabon disguised as Seanchan troops. Meanwhile, Eamon Valda and Asunawa discuss the threat of the Aes Sedai and the Seanchan, while Gabrelle, Toveine, and Logain ride at the Black Tower, where tensions rise between Logain and Atal Mishraile. In Tar Valon, Yukiri and her allies investigate the Black Ajah, suspecting Atuan Larisett and monitoring Elaida's movements. Gawyn receives orders from Elaida via Narenwin and learns of Elayne's safety with the rebels. Davram Bashere observes the siege of Caemlyn and returns to his camp to find his wife Deira injured by intruders; he discovers they were killed by a precise assassin. In Cairhien, Samitsu and Sashalle confront Loial and Karldin about their activities, only to be interrupted by news that Lord Dobraine has been murdered.

Characters

• Rodel Ituralde / Ituralde (the Wolf, the Little Wolf) — Offers the White Ribbon truce to Domani nobles and Taraboners, proposing a joint campaign against the Seanchan and a plan to infiltrate Tarabon disguised as enemy troops.
• Jaalam — Serves as Ituralde's officer, reading his mind and speaking for him; accompanies him to the meeting at Lady Osana's hunting lodge.
• Donjel — Returns from scouting with reports on the sentries at the lodge; carries a packet for Ituralde's wife in case he fails to reach Coron Ford.
• Shimron — A former advisor to King Alsalam now among the Dragonsworn; pledges allegiance to Ituralde's plan against the Seanchan.
• Wakeda — A Domani lord with a missing eye and scarred face; initially hostile but eventually pledges to fight the Seanchan alongside Ituralde.
• Rajabi — A bull-necked Domani lord who enthusiastically pledges to chase the Seanchan back across the ocean.
• Tamsin — Ituralde's wife, who is expected to follow him and open a packet he has given to Donjel if he does not return.
• Eamon Valda / Valda (Lord Captain Commander) — Inspects his camp's discipline and confronts Asunawa about the threat of Aes Sedai, insisting they must be destroyed.
• Asunawa — The High Inquisitor; argues with Valda about the necessity of destroying Aes Sedai and agrees to attend a Council meeting.
• Gabrelle — Rides with Logain and Toveine, analyzing the bond and Toveine's suspicious behavior toward Logain while trying to maintain her cover.
• Logain / Logain Ablar — Rides with his bonded sisters, confronts Mishraile about insulting remarks, and prepares for a significant action while hiding his true intentions.
• Toveine — Acts suspiciously friendly toward Logain despite her hatred of men who channel; urges Gabrelle to follow Logain's preparations closely.
• Atal Mishraile / Mishraile — A younger Asha'man who insults Gabrelle and Toveine; Logain threatens him with killing intent for his disrespect.
• Yukiri — Investigates the Black Ajah, suspects Atuan Larisett, and instructs Meidani to spy on Elaida by renewing their past friendship.
• Meidani — A Gray sister under oath to Yukiri; reports on her attempts to contact Elaida and the investigation of Atuan's friends.
• Seaine — Convinces Yukiri that the Black Ajah does not know about their group; presents a theory that Ajah heads conspired to control Hall seats.
• Atuan Larisett — A suspected Black Ajah sister who glances at Yukiri in the hallway, causing Yukiri significant anxiety about being discovered.
• Gawyn / Gawyn Trakand — Receives orders from Elaida via Narenwin and learns from Tarna that his sister Elayne is safe with the rebels.
• Narenwin — A messenger from Elaida who delivers orders to Gawyn and confirms Elayne's status as an Accepted under Tower protection.
• Tarna / Tarna Feir — A Red sister who informs Gawyn that Elayne is safe and cannot suffer lasting harm due to her Accepted status.
• Katerine / Katerine Alruddin — A Red sister who takes charge of the sisters in Dorian and plans to leave for Tar Valon despite the siege.
• Davram Bashere / Bashere — Observes the siege of Caemlyn, dismisses Aiel concerns about being ignored, and returns to his camp to find Deira injured.
• Deira — Bashere's wife, who is wounded by intruders in their tent; she orders a search and later reveals the attackers were killed by a precise assassin.
• Bael — An Aielman who complains about being ignored by the Andoran nobles and leaves to find other activities.
• Tumad — Bashere's lieutenant, who reports that the intruders in Bashere's tent were killed by a single precise thrust to the base of the skull.
• Samitsu / Samitsu Tamagowa — Manages Cairhien politics, confronts Sashalle over her interference, and attempts to Heal the murdered Lord Dobraine.
• Sashalle — A Red sister who has regained youth after being stilled; confronts Loial and Karldin and takes charge of the investigation into Dobraine's death.
• Loial / Ledar — An Ogier who is questioned by Sashalle and Samitsu; he and Karldin are revealed to be searching for Rand al'Thor.
• Karldin / Karldin Manfor — An Asha'man who is wary of the sisters; he and Loial are caught trying to leave Cairhien after Dobraine's murder.
• Dobraine / Lord Dobraine — Found murdered in his rooms with his head cut off; Samitsu manages to revive him briefly before he is carried away.
• Rosara / Rosara Medrano — Arrives at the Sun Palace with news that a party of sisters, including Logain, has entered the city.