Chapter 3 - Friends and Enemies

Summary

Rand al’Thor attempts to flee Fal Dara but finds all gates barred by Lord Agelmar’s orders and feels increasingly watched by an unseen presence. He locates his friends Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Loial in a storeroom and harshly drives them away, fearing their proximity to him will bring danger. After a tense exchange with Egwene, who reveals that the Amyrlin Seat is searching for him, Rand agrees to hide in the dungeon to avoid detection. There, they visit Padan Fain, who recognizes Rand and prophesies an unending battle between them. Fearing the guards' hostility, Egwene proposes a new hiding place, and Rand agrees to disguise himself as her servant to conceal himself within the women’s apartments.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al’Thor — Rand attempts to leave the keep but finds all gates barred and guarded, becoming increasingly paranoid about being watched by unseen forces. He confronts his friends Mat, Perrin, and Loial, angrily driving them away to protect them from his perceived danger. After Egwene insists he hide to avoid the Amyrlin Seat, Rand visits the dungeon, encounters a prophetic Padan Fain, and finally agrees to disguise himself as Egwene's servant to hide in the women's apartments.
• Ragan — One of the guards at the sally gate, Ragan wears a scarred face and a golden surcoat with the Black Hawk. He greets Rand casually but informs him that the gates are sealed by order and he cannot leave without a written pass.
• Masema — The second guard at the sally gate, Masema has deep-set, unblinking eyes and a perpetual frown. He criticizes Rand's bow and firmly opposes allowing Rand to leave the keep, reinforcing the gate closure order.
• Loial (Ogier) — Loial is found in a storeroom watching men dice, initially discussing the Amyrlin Seat and his inability to play games. He explains that he knows no secret exits from Fal Dara and later asserts the nature of ta'veren before stalk away after Rand drives him off.
• Mat / Mat Cauthon — Mat emerges from a dice game, wearing his Two Rivers garb and secretly clutching his tainted dagger from Shadar Logoth. He tries to reassure Rand about the Aes Sedai but departs the room with Perrin after Rand's hostile rejection, though Rand remains inside determined to go alone.
• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Perrin follows Mat from the dice game, his shoulders slumped and his eyes changed to a gleaming yellow. He remains quiet during Rand's outburst and nods to leave with Mat after Loial's interference.
• Egwene — Egwene finds Rand hiding and insists he stop running. She leads him to the dungeon to hide, visits Padan Fain, and then proposes that Rand disguise himself as her servant to conceal himself in the women’s apartments, where he will be safe from search.
• Changu — Changu is a squat, stocky dungeon guard who mocks Egwene and Rand. He opens the inner door to the cells for them and lights a lamp, displaying a rude and hostile demeanor.
• Fain / Padan Fain / Master Fain / Mordeth (Darkfriend, the peddler) — Padan Fain sits in his dungeon cell, appearing gaunt and expectant. He recognizes Rand from the shadows, chants a cryptic prophecy about an endless battle, and chuckles at unseen visions before Egwene and Rand leave.