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Summary

Rand al'Thor's meeting with Tuon proves to be a trap orchestrated by Semirhage, resulting in a sudden clash where Rand loses his left hand to fire but survives by seizing saidin while Lews Therin's voice jostles for control. Nynaeve al'Vere heals the mangled limb while Cadsuane Melaidhrin and Bashere secure the captive sul'dam and damane, who are subsequently released to carry a message for a truce after their party is discovered with man-sized a'dam collars in the house. Meanwhile, Mat Cauthon waits on a hilltop with Tuon and Teslyn as Vanin reports approaching Seanchan reinforcements. Mat positions two thousand crossbowmen along the slopes and triggers the foxhead ter'angreal to illuminate the column below. He unleashes a devastating volley from both flanks that slaughters the lancers before they can reload, then orders his forces to withdraw immediately to continue their campaign of harassment.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Loses his left hand to fire during a sudden clash but survives by seizing saidin while Lews Therin's voice jostles for control. Nynaeve heals the mangled limb, though old side wounds remain unhealed and vision stays blurred. Orders captured sul'dam and damane released to carry a truce message after discovering man-sized a'dam collars in the house.
• Lews Therin — Voices inside Rand's mind, jostling him for control of saidin and shivering at the thought of falling into Semirhage's hands. The presence shifts from wild warnings to a quiet acceptance that they may perish at Tarmon Gai'don.
• Cadsuane / Cadsuane Melaidhrin — Confronts Semirhage with unshaken composure and identifies herself to the Forsaken. Examines the captured man-sized a'dam collars alongside Bashere, maintaining a stern demeanor throughout the aftermath of the ambush.
• Min / Min Farshaw — Shields Rand with her body during the attack and feels his pain through their bond without physical injury herself. Compassion and love remain steadfast despite the severed hand, and she firmly defends his stoic acceptance to Nynaeve.
• Logain / Logain Ablar — Stands ready with his sword during the confrontation and questions what to do with the captured Seanchan party afterward. Expression remains unreadable as he processes Semirhage's claim that Rand is insane.
• Narishma — Suffers a broken arm during the clash and receives healing from Merise, who struggles slightly with Nynaeve's method but successfully sets the bone. Grimaces in pain before flexing fingers and murmuring thanks.
• Sandomere — Lies sprawled on the ground with a bone protruding through his sleeve until Nynaeve guides it back into place and heals him. Groans in pain but quickly regains use of the arm.
• Semirhage — Flickers between true form and a disguised appearance before attacking Rand with fire. Claims Rand is insane due to hearing Lews Therin's voice and admits to being Semirhage when confronted by Cadsuane, displaying cold pride despite capture.
• Nynaeve / Nynaeve al'Vere — Heals Rand's severed hand and Sandomere's broken arm while arguing fiercely against releasing the Seanchan prisoners. Discovers man-sized a'dam collars in the house and expresses shock that Egeanin allowed them to be copied.
• Bashere / Lord Davram — Commands troops to secure the manor house and questions Semirhage's identity upon hearing it. Observes Rand's lost hand with gruff acceptance and helps inspect the box of captured ter'angreal.
• Falendre — Defies Semirhage's authority and explains how the party was tricked into traveling to the meeting. Maintains controlled fear despite threatening glances and is later released with the others.
• Merise — Rides down from her horse to heal Narishma's broken arm, struggling slightly with Nynaeve's method but ultimately succeeding. Remains focused on the wounded Asha'man amid the chaos.
• Mat / Mat Cauthon — Waits on a hilltop with two thousand crossbowmen and uses the foxhead ter'angreal to illuminate a Seanchan column below. Orders a devastating volley from both flanks that slaughters the lancers before they can reload, then commands an immediate retreat to continue harassing the enemy.
• Tuon — Rides alongside Mat during the ambush and exchanges whispered comments with Selucia about omens and Mat's fate. Claims ownership over Mat in response to Teslyn's warning about bonding him, displaying stern authority mixed with playful possessiveness.
• Teslyn — Advises Mat against his ambush strategy and warns him about Joline's interest in bonding him. Argues with Tuon over Mat's future and questions the viability of raids, maintaining sharp Aes Sedai demeanor throughout the night.
• Selucia — Whispers to Tuon during the ambush and laughs loudly at a private joke between them. Remains watchful and loyal, riding close to Tuon while observing preparations.
• Mandevwin — Commands crossbowmen on the hillside and relays Mat's orders to hobble horses and take positions. Reports Vanin's arrival and prepares troops for the ambush, displaying seasoned military discipline.
• Vanin — Rides out of the night to report that a thousand additional Seanchan lancers are approaching. Delivers news to Mat and quickly rides back into darkness to relay further orders.
• Aghan — Searches the manor house with Hamad and discovers a box containing man-sized a'dam collars near the front door. Presents findings to Bashere with a rolling gait.
• Hamad — Assists Aghan in clearing the house and helps carry the box of captured ter'angreal out to Bashere. Stands ready with sword after confirming the building is empty.