Chapter 6 - Dark Prophecy

Summary

Rand al'Thor wakes from a nightmare of his friends and Ba'alzamon, finding Nynaeve al'Meara hiding him in Egwene's room. When bells ring, Rand rushes through the keep to the dungeon to check on Padan Fain and Egwene, only to find the guards murdered and the dungeon in disarray. He discovers Egwene and Mat Cauthon unconscious near Fain's empty cell. Moiraine and Liandrin arrive, with Liandrin attempting to detain Rand before Moiraine intervenes. Ingtar Gladion reports that the Horn of Valere was stolen during a Trolloc raid on the keep. Lan Mandragoran informs Rand that he is now free to leave Fal Dara at any time.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor (young southland lord) — Rand wakes from a nightmare and hides in Egwene's room, then rushes to the dungeon upon hearing alarms, where he finds Egwene and Mat unconscious and Fain escaped. After a confrontation with Liandrin is broken up by Moiraine, he learns of the Horn's theft from Ingtar and is told by Lan that he may leave the keep.
• Nynaeve (Wisdom) — Nynaeve knits in Egwene's room, revealing she is wearing a silk dress gifted by Lady Amalisa and warning Rand of suspicious activity in the keep. She tries to stop Rand from running into the dungeon but fails, later allowing him to pass.
• Egwene (girl) — Egwene is found lying unconscious in the dungeon floor next to Mat, having been struck on the head. She is taken to her room by litters bearers under Moiraine's orders, with Moiraine stating she will wake in the morning.
• Mat / Matrim Cauthon / Mat Cauthon (boy) — Mat lies unconscious on the dungeon floor beside Egwene with labored breathing and a pale face. Moiraine notes his dagger is missing and he is taken to the Amyrlin Seat's chambers for Healing.
• Ingtar (Shienaran) — Ingtar confronts a Myrddraal with Rand in the corridors, later reporting to Rand that the Horn of Valere was stolen from the strongroom and that Lord Agelmar has tripled the guard on the gates. He expresses anger and shame over the losses.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai) — Moiraine arrives in the dungeon to stop Liandrin from interrogating Rand, heals Egwene to induce sleep, and checks Mat's condition. She orders Mat taken to the Amyrlin Seat and directs the handling of the bodies and evidence.
• Liandrin (Red Aes Sedai) — Liandrin confronts Rand in the dungeon, attempting to bind him with the Power to force an answer, before Moiraine intervenes. She criticizes Moiraine's decision to have the Amyrlin Heal Mat and leaves the dungeon with cold detachment.
• Lan (Warder) — Lan finds Rand in the corridor and informs him that Moiraine has arranged for him to leave the keep immediately. He teases Rand about the women's fascination with him before walking away, leaving Rand to decide his next move.
• Verin (Aes Sedai) — Verin stands in the dungeon guardroom with another Aes Sedai, examining the Trolloc script and blood scrawled on the walls while making notes in a small book, paying no attention to the men passing through.
• Changu (guard) — Changu is one of the dungeon guards whose headless body parts are found in the straw of the guardroom. Rand reflects that knowing his identity would have made the sight worse.