Chapter 42 - Remembrance of Dreams

Summary

Rand leads his reunited friends into the library of The Queen's Blessing to meet Loial, who confirms the existence of stedding havens and recounts the history of the Ogier. Mat recovers from his madness, though Moiraine reveals that the cursed dagger from Shadar Logoth remains in his possession and continues to emit a taint detectable by Darkfriends. The group discusses the visions of Ba’alzamon and the threat to the Eye of the World, with Perrin and Egwene contributing their own accounts from the Aiel Waste. Loial identifies Rand, Mat, and Perrin as ta'veren, around whom the Pattern swirls. Moiraine, realizing they are trapped in Caemlyn by Fades and Children of the Light, proposes using an Ogier Waygate hidden within the city to reach Fal Dara and eventually the Eye of the World, a plan Loial vehemently opposes due to the dangers inherent in the Ways.

Characters

• Rand — Rand leads the subdued group back to the library, explaining the presence of the Ogier Loial to his amazed friends. He listens to Loial's stories and shares the burden of his dreams with Moiraine, who confirms the dagger is still active and that she is more concerned with her own failures than with them. He attempts to hide his fear and confusion regarding the ta'veren prophecy and Moiraine's plan to use the Ways, ultimately watching as the group decides to flee Caemlyn via the Waygate.
• Perrin — Perrin arrives with the group, his eyes glowing softly in the shadows, appearing resigned rather than worried. He questions Loial about the stedding and later confirms the Tinker's story about the Aiel warning regarding the Eye of the World. He admits to the group that Ba’alzamon spoke to him in dreams and notes that he has found his protection against the Dark One, though Moiraine warns him against yielding even for an instant.
• Mat — Mat enters the library, appearing recovered from his madness but with hazy memories of the journey from Whitebridge. He resumes his bantering demeanor, though he instinctively checks his coat to ensure the dagger is still concealed. He listens to Moiraine's explanation of the taint and recalls that Ba’alzamon mentioned the Amyrlin Seat, naming Davian; Perrin then adds the name Raolin Darksbane.
• Egwene — Egwene stands with the group in the library, amazed by the presence of an Ogier. She listens to the discussion about the Eye of the World and confirms that the Tinkers she traveled with received the same warning from a dying Aiel woman. She cries softly while Nynaeve holds her.
• Nynaeve (Wisdom) — Nynaeve enters the library with the group, joining the discussion. She comforts Egwene when she cries and sharply rebukes Moiraine for using frightful talk about the Pattern, asserting that such language should not be used on the youths. She listens to the revelation about the ta'veren and the threat to the Eye of the World with fear and horror.
• Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai — Moiraine brings the recovered Mat to the library and explains to Rand that the dagger's taint cannot be removed without killing Mat and requires help from Tar Valon. She reveals that the boys are ta'veren and that the Pattern is forcing their path toward the Eye of the World. She proposes using a Waygate in Caemlyn to escape the pursuing Fades and reach Fal Dara, despite Loial's warning that the Ways are deadly.
• Lan — Lan follows Moiraine and Mat into the library, watching everything with apparent indifference. He stands silently during the group's discussion and vanishes at Moiraine's command to ensure they are not taken unaware, leaving only the click of the door behind him.
• Loial (son of Arent son of Halan) — Loial sits on a couch with a cat on his stomach, explaining the nature of stedding and his travels. He reveals that a dying man told him of a threat to the Eye of the World, which Perrin and Egwene confirm is the Aiel story. He identifies Rand, Mat, and Perrin collectively as ta'veren and states that the stedding offers sanctuary to the Servants of the Light, but vehemently opposes Moiraine's plan to enter the Ways, stating they would all die or be swallowed by the Shadow.