Embers Falling on Dry Grass

Summary

Galad Damodred, accompanied by Trom, Byar, and Bornhald, confronts Eamon Valda at the Seanchan-given manor house to challenge him to a Trial Beneath the Light for the unlawful assault and murder of Morgase Trakand. Despite High Inquisitor Rhadam Asunawa's attempts to dismiss the charge, Valda accepts the duel. Galad enters a state of emotional emptiness and perfect balance, engaging in a fierce sword fight with Valda. Though wounded, Galad lands a fatal blow, killing Valda and assuming the title of Lord Captain Commander. He then rallies the Children of the Light to abandon their alliance with the Seanchan and prepare for Tarmon Gai'don. Meanwhile, Rodel Ituralde executes a surprise raid on a Seanchan supply camp in Tarabon, using archers to eliminate key targets including a sul'dam and damane before burning the stores. In Ebou Dar, High Lady Suroth learns of the widespread raids led by Ituralde and receives a visit from the Forsaken Semirhage, who reveals that the Empress Radhanan is dead and offers Suroth the chance to seize the throne if she kills Tuon. At the White Tower, Red Ajah Highest Tsutama Rath orders Pevara and Javindhra to bond Asha'man, while Alviarin receives news of Galina's capture by Perrin Aybara. Galina is taken to Perrin’s camp, where she attempts to dissuade him from attacking the Shaido, only to be beaten by Berelain to maintain her cover as a gai'shain. Finally, Egwene al'Vere is captured by Katerine, Barasine, and others, who transport her to Tar Valon under the guise of delivering her to Silviana for punishment.

Characters

• Galad / Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) — Challenges Eamon Valda to a Trial Beneath the Light for killing Morgase. Enters a state of emotional emptiness during combat, kills Valda, and is named Lord Captain Commander by his men. Plans to ally the Children with those fighting the Seanchan.
• Trom — Accompanies Galad to the manor house and serves as Arbiter for the trial. Writes a release for Galad and supports his plan to turn the Children against the Seanchan.
• Byar — Attends Galad and warns him of Valda's fighting style. Tends to Galad's wounds after the duel and agrees to fight alongside Aes Sedai in the Last Battle.
• Bornhald / Dain — Accompanies Galad, holds his sword during the duel, and expresses distaste at the idea of fighting beside Aes Sedai, though he does not voice dissent.
• Eamon Valda (Lord Captain Commander, Child of the Light) — Accepts Galad's challenge to a duel. Kills no one but is cut down by Galad. His death leaves Galad with the heron-mark blade and the title.
• Rhadam Asunawa (High Inquisitor, Hand of the Light) — Attempts to dismiss Galad's charge as ridiculous. Leaves the courtyard immediately after Valda dies, heading toward Nassad.
• Kashgar — Helps Valda remove his armor with reluctance. Cleans Valda's sword and presents the heron-mark blade to Galad after the duel.
• Doirellin — A Cairhienin Child who questions Galad's plan but eventually nods in agreement to fight alongside Aes Sedai.
• Rodel Ituralde (Lord) — Observes a Seanchan camp in Tarabon and orders a surprise raid. Uses archers to kill a sul'dam, damane, and officer before burning the supplies.
• Jaalam — Serves Ituralde, notes that Lanasiet has ridden off in pursuit of fleeing Seanchan, and is ordered to warn villagers to save their belongings.
• Lanasiet — A Dragonsworn who ignores Ituralde's order to hold back and chases the fleeing Seanchan, losing a third of his force.
• Suroth / Sabelle Meldarath (High Lady, Daughter of the Nine Moons) — Wakes to learn of Ituralde's raids. Is visited by Semirhage, who reveals Radhanan is dead and offers Suroth the throne if she kills Tuon.
• Liandrin — A da'covale who wakes Suroth with news from Galgan. Is sent to be beaten by Rosala for delaying the message and other infractions.
• Almandaragal — A lopar that serves Suroth. Prostrates himself before Semirhage when she appears as a woman of fire.
• Semirhage (Great Mistress, Forsaken) — Appears to Suroth as living fire. Reveals the Imperial family is dead and offers Suroth the chance to become Empress by killing Tuon.
• Lunal Galgan (Captain-General, General) — Reports to Suroth on the scale of Ituralde's raids. Agrees to send a message to Turan demanding Ituralde's head.
• Yulan — Captain of the Air for the Forerunners, ordered by Suroth to move raken from Altara and Amadicia to Tarabon.
• Tsutama Rath (Highest, Red Ajah Highest) — Orders Pevara and Javindhra to bond Asha'man. Reveals that Sashalle Anderly claims to have been Healed by an Asha'man.
• Pevara / Talaan — A Red Sitter tasked with arranging the bonding of Asha'man. Meets with Yukiri to discuss hunting the Black Ajah.
• Javindhra — A Red Sitter who argues against bonding Asha'man but is overruled by Tsutama. Is ordered to work with Pevara on the scheme.
• Yukiri — A White Sitter who meets with Pevara. Reveals that Talene has been summoned by the Black Ajah's Supreme Council and suggests they attack.
• Seaine / Hepayal — A White Sitter who informs Pevara and Yukiri that sisters in Cairhien have been captured by Asha'man and that Elaida is investigating Alviarin.
• Alviarin / Felaera — Keeper of the Chronicles who receives news of Talene's disappearance. Writes ciphered orders to find Talene and capture Yukiri and Doesine.
• Ferane / Netalyn — First Reasoner of the White Ajah. Scowls at Alviarin, aware of her disgrace and the strap she is receiving.
• Galina / Thera (gai'shain, pet) — Captured by Gaul and Fager Neald and taken to Perrin Aybara. Lies to Perrin about Faile's safety and is beaten by Berelain to maintain her cover.
• Perrin / Aybara (Lord) — Interrogates Galina about Faile. Orders her to tell Faile to hide in Lady Cairen's fortress if she sees fog and hears wolves.
• Gaul — An Aielman who captures Galina and brings her to Perrin's camp. Holds her arms firmly as they walk.
• Fager Neald — A Murandian man who can create gateways. Captures Galina and transports her to Perrin's camp through a hole in the air.
• Berelain / Paraline (First of Mayene) — Meets with Perrin and Galina. Beats Galina on the cheek to help her maintain her cover as a gai'shain.
• Egwene / al'Vere — Captured by Katerine, Barasine, and others. Transported to Tar Valon in a coach, shielded, and handed over to Silviana for punishment.
• Katerine / Alruddin — A Red sister who captures Egwene. Slaps her multiple times and shields her in the coach.
• Barasine — A Red sister who accompanies Katerine. Holds Egwene's arm and discusses the harbor chain with Melare.
• Felaana — A Brown sister in the coach who refuses to carry Egwene and leaves early, citing that she does not want to guard her.
• Pritalle / Nerbaijan — A Yellow sister in the coach who leaves with her Warder, Bloodlance, after refusing to guard Egwene.
• Berisha / Terakuni — A Gray sister in the coach who is intimidated by Katerine and Barasine and leaves to take a walk in the grounds.
• Melare — A Red sister who reports that Leane Sharif turned part of the harbor chain to cuendillar, blocking Northharbor.