Chapter 41 - Disagreements

Summary

Traveling through relentless rain and cold, Rand al'Thor and his companions reach an empty, partially destroyed village where they find no trace of Fain. A heated debate ensues between Rand, who is compelled by instinct to ride to Falme to prevent Fain from harming Emond's Field, and Ingtar, who insists on sticking to the practical search for the Horn via Hurin's scent trail. Verin Mathwin advises caution regarding the Seanchan in Falme but allows Rand to decide. Exhausted by the political maneuvering and his own inner turmoil, Rand retreats to sleep, only to be confronted in a dream by Ba'alzamon, who taunts him with his past as Lews Therin and the inevitability of his fate as the Dragon Reborn, offering him power in exchange for service before vanishing, leaving Rand shaken and shivering.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand leads the column through heavy rain, suppressing the temptation of saidin to change the weather. He argues with Ingtar and Verin about the need to go to Falme immediately, lying that Fain threatened Emond's Field, and eventually retreats to a dilapidated room to sleep. There, he dreams of Ba'alzamon, channels the One Power in anger, and resists the Dark One's offer of power, declaring his true name before waking up alone and trembling.
• Red — Red is Rand's bay stallion, stepping doggedly through muddy puddles as Rand rides him in the cold rain.
• Ingtar — Ingtar commands the group to trot and dismounts to investigate the empty village, ordering Uno to search for survivors or supplies. He argues firmly with Verin and Rand, insisting on searching the ground with Hurin for the Horn rather than riding blindly to Falme. Verin questions his refusal to trust the written prophecy, and Ingtar clarifies his intent to find the Horn himself. He then organizes soldiers to disguise Hurin for tracking.
• Uno — Uno searches the empty village, reporting back that the inhabitants fled with their livestock and carts, leaving only scattered debris and clothes behind.
• Loial — Loial checks his saddlebags to protect his books from the rain and worries about them rather than his own comfort. He urges Rand to be less hasty in deciding to go to Falme, arguing that a few more days will not change the outcome, before drying his books and removing his wet coat.
• Verin (Aes Sedai) — Verin warms herself by the fire and argues with Ingtar, insisting they follow the prophecy that leads to Falme. She warns Rand about the unknown dangers of the Seanchan in Falme but ultimately tells him he must make his own choice, observing his struggle with his identity as the Dragon.
• Mat — Mat shivers and complains about the weather, mocking the idea of Seanchan monsters while secretly fearing them. He sides with Hurin for the search, noting that Hurin has the best chance of finding the Shadar Logoth dagger needed to cure him.
• Perrin — Perrin wonders why Fain would bring the Horn to the coast and later agrees with Mat that Hurin's tracking is the priority, stating he will go wherever Rand goes but acknowledging the necessity of finding Fain via scent.
• Masema — Masema gallops ahead to scout and reports that the next village is completely empty and partially destroyed. He looks at Rand with tightening eyes but does not address him directly.
• Ragan — Ragan is commanded by Ingtar to find a stable for the horses at the empty village.
• Hurin (the sniffer) — Hurin sniffs the air and the debris in the empty village, confirming that Fain and Trollocs were not there but that a killing occurred. He offers to follow the trail if given the chance and advises Ingtar to dress him and others in local clothing to avoid standing out.
• Ba'alzamon — Ba'alzamon appears in Rand's dream holding the Dragon's banner, revealing his burned face and fiery eyes. He taunts Rand as Lews Therin, offering him power to stop the madness of the One Power in exchange for service, and vanishes after Rand declares his true name, leaving charred finger marks on the chair.