Chapter 53 - The Wheel Turns

Summary

In the aftermath of their victory in the Eye of the World, the group prepares to depart the decaying sanctuary while Moiraine remains too weakened to ride. Loial sings a Tree Song to preserve a small circle of life around the grave of the Green Man before they ride out into the Blight, which suddenly becomes quiet and less oppressive. As they cross the border into Shienar, they witness an inexplicable spring returning to the land, coinciding with the news of a miraculous victory at Tarwin's Gap. Upon returning to Fal Dara, they report to Lord Agelmar, who reveals that the Trolloc horde was destroyed by natural forces; Moiraine informs him of the Green Man's death and the loss of the Eye, then reveals the Horn of Valere, ordering it taken to Illian rather than used in Shienar. Meanwhile, Rand trains with his sword and secretly resolves to leave the group to avoid the danger his channeling poses, rejecting Egwene's invitation to travel with her to Tar Valon.

Characters

• Rand — Rand rides out of the sanctuary, watching the oak tree disappear, and observes the Blight becoming quiet. He later stands on a balcony in Fal Dara, training with the heron-mark blade while reflecting on his desire to stay away from people. He speaks privately with Egwene, refusing to go to Tar Valon and declaring he is leaving forever.
• Egwene — Egwene mounts Bela and observes the oak tree as Loial sings. She later helps Moiraine and rides south with the group. In Fal Dara, she confronts Rand on the balcony, urging him to come to Tar Valon with her, Mat, and Nynaeve, but he refuses.
• Lan (the Warder) — Lan observes Rand training on the balcony. He questions Rand about his decision to leave and receives a negative response. Moiraine commands Ingtar to take her to Lord Agelmar.
• Loial (Treebrother, Builder) — Loial stands by the Green Man's grave and sings a powerful Tree Song to preserve the ground from the Blight. He later carries the gold chest containing the Horn of Valere into Agelmar's study and rides south with the group.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai, Moiraine Sedai) — Moiraine is carried on a litter and later shifts to a chair, remaining weakened. She sets wards with Nynaeve and Egwene. She confronts Lord Agelmar, reports the Green Man's death, and reveals the Horn of Valere, ordering it taken to Illian. She is last seen using a gem to listen to the prophecy of the Dragon.
• Nynaeve (the Wisdom) — Nynaeve helps carry Moiraine to the litter and later sets wards with her and Egwene. She rides south with the group into Shienar. In Agelmar's study, she is present as Moiraine addresses the Lord.
• Mat — Mat rides at the rear of the column with his bow.
• Perrin — Perrin rides at the rear of the column with his axe. He asks Moiraine why the Blight changed after their victory. He is not present in Agelmar's study during the Aes Sedai's private audience.
• Agelmar (Lord of Fal Dara) — Lord Agelmar greets the group in his study, looking troubled by the news of the victory at Tarwin's Gap which he attributes to divine intervention. He listens to Moiraine's report of the Green Man's death and her order to take the Horn of Valere to Illian, appearing disappointed by the latter.
• Ingtar — Ingtar greets Lan with a grim expression before apologizing for his grief. He brings Moiraine to Agelmar's study and stands by as she addresses the Lord.
• Aldieb — Aldieb, Moiraine's white mare, helps carry the Aes Sedai on a litter slung between herself and Bela. A groom later receives strict orders to ensure the blanketroll containing the banner and seal fragments is placed untouched in the Aes Sedai's chambers.
• Bela — Bela, Egwene's shaggy brown mare, carries Egwene out of the sanctuary and south into Shienar.