ChapterTrack

Prologue: Fortress of the Light

Summary

Pedron Niall, the Lord Captain Commander of the Children of the Light, listens to Jaret Byar’s report that the Trollocs and Darkfriends at Falme were supported by Aes Sedai, solidifying his belief that the Last Battle is imminent. He summons Jaichim Carridin and, contrary to the Inquisitor’s intent to destroy the false Dragon Rand al’Thor, orders him to spare the Dragon and use him as a political tool to unify Tarabon and Arad Doman under the Children's rule, threatening Carridin’s life if he disobeys. After Carridin leaves, the mysterious Ordeith reveals he knows Rand al’Thor is a Darkfriend from the Two Rivers, causing him to damage a sketch of the youth. Carridin subsequently receives a terrifying visit from a Myrddraal, who forces him to prioritize killing Rand al’Thor above all else under threat of killing his family, before vanishing.

Characters

  • Pedron Niall (Lord Captain Commander, Great Lord) — Pedron Niall reviews reports of the world's chaos and concludes that Tarmon Gai'don is beginning. He outmaneuvers Jaichim Carridin by ordering him to preserve the false Dragon for political manipulation rather than killing him immediately, revealing his plan to use fear to unite the continent. He listens to Ordeith's warning about Rand al'Thor.
  • Jaret Byar (Child Byar) — Jaret Byar kneels before Niall, reporting that Aes Sedai and Darkfriends destroyed Geofram Bornhald’s legion at Falme. He expresses fierce hatred for Perrin Aybara, whom he blames for the betrayal, before being dismissed to deliver the news to Dain Bornhald.
  • Jaichim Carridin (Questioner, Child Carridin, Anointed of the Light, Inquisitor of the Hand of the Light) — Carridin reports to Niall that the enemies at Falme were Darkfriends and Aes Sedai, intending to hunt down the false Dragon himself. Niall reprimands him for failing to seize Almoth Plain and orders him to spare the Dragon for political reasons. Carridin is later attacked by a Myrddraal who forces him to prioritize killing the Dragon under threat of death to his kin.
  • Ordeith (Wormwood) — Ordeith emerges from behind a banner to reveal that Rand al'Thor is a Deep-Darkfriend from the Two Rivers. His sudden appearance and aggressive handling of a sketch of the Dragon disturb Niall, though he maintains his constant, smooth demeanor.
  • Myrddraal (Halfman) — A Myrddraal appears in Carridin's room, forcing the Inquisitor to acknowledge he serves the Dark One. It threatens to kill Carridin's family one by one if he does not kill Rand al'Thor within a month, crushing his wrist and throwing him across the room before vanishing into the shadows.