Chapter 6 - Dark Prophecy

Summary

Rand awakens from a nightmare about the Dark One and the Last Battle, only to find Nynaeve in Egwene's room; they deduce a search is underway before bells ring, signaling an internal attack. Rand rushes to the dungeon, discovering the guards slaughtered and the cell of Padan Fain empty, with bloody graffiti warning that the battle is never over. He finds Egwene and Mat unconscious but alive near Fain's cell, just as Moiraine and Liandrin arrive to investigate the crime scene and treat the victims. Ingtar reveals that the Horn of Valere has been stolen during the Trolloc and Darkfriend incursion, which entered through the Dog Gate via treachery. Lan Mandragoran informs Rand that Moiraine has secured permission for him to leave Fal Dara immediately, leaving the group in disarray.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand wakes from a nightmare, hides in the women's apartments, and rushes to the dungeon upon hearing alarms, where he discovers murdered guards, an escaped Fain, and unconscious friends. He is confronted by Liandrin, saved by Moiraine, and later informed by Lan that he is permitted to leave the keep immediately.
• Mat / Matrim Cauthon (the boy) — Mat lies unconscious and injured in the dungeon cell area alongside Egwene, having lost his tainted dagger during the chaos. Moiraine identifies his condition as more serious than Egwene's and orders him to be taken to the Amyrlin Seat.
• Egwene (the girl) — Egwene lies unconscious in the dungeon after being struck in the head. Moiraine tends to her, causing her to sleep, and orders her to be returned to her room with a watcher.
• Nynaeve (Wisdom) — Nynaeve sits knitting in Egwene's room, explaining the situation to Rand and expressing concern about the sealed gates and the search for him. She warns Rand about the dangers of naming the Dark One and later prepares for the feast.
• Moiraine — Moiraine arrives in the dungeon to find Rand being attacked by Liandrin, then investigates the crime scene and heals Egwene and Mat. Rand explains the situation to Ingtar, later instructing Lan to allow Rand to leave Fal Dara.
• Liandrin (the Red Aes Sedai) — Liandrin confronts Rand in the dungeon, attempting to compel him to answer her questions through painful channeling until Moiraine intervenes. She investigates the bloody graffiti and reacts with disdain when Moiraine sends Mat to the Amyrlin Seat.
• Ingtar — Ingtar fights the Myrddraal outside the dungeon and later reports to Rand that the Horn of Valere has been stolen during the attack. He reveals that the gates were opened from the inside by traitors and that Lord Agelmar has sealed the keep tighter.
• Lan — Lan finds Rand in the corridor and informs him that Moiraine has exempted him from the closure order, allowing him to leave Fal Dara at once. He comments on the attention Rand is receiving from the women of the keep.