Chapter 13 - From Stone to Stone

Summary

Rand al'Thor, Loial, and Hurin awaken in a pale, distorted hollow centered around a mysterious Stone cylinder after their camp mysteriously shifts location. Rand attempts to channel the One Power to reverse the Stone's effect but is thwarted by the tainted nature of saidin, which causes him physical and mental pain. Loial explains that the Stones are relics from an Age older than the Age of Legends, potentially requiring a different method of activation than the Power. Realizing he cannot force his way back and motivated by fear and the need to recover items belonging to Mat, Rand decides to track the faint scent of the Darkfriends that Hurin still detects, leading the small party south into the eerie, colorless landscape.

Characters

• Rand (Lord Rand, my Lord, shepherd) — Rand wakes to find himself in a strange, pale world with Loial and Hurin. He attempts to channel through the Stone cylinder to return home but fails due to the taint of saidin, suffering a psychic backlash. He accepts the responsibility to lead the group and follows Hurin's scent trail south to find the Darkfriends.
• Loial — Loial wakes alongside Rand and identifies the central cylinder as a Stone from an Age prior to the Age of Legends. He advises Rand that the Stones may not function via the One Power and expresses doubt about their ability to use them for travel. He accompanies Rand and Hurin southward after Rand makes the decision to hunt the Darkfriends.
• Hurin (the sniffer) — Hurin wakes in the strange world, initially panicking but then finding resolve in Rand's perceived lordship. He confirms he can still smell the Darkfriends' trail despite the world's unnatural state. He guides the group south and rides ahead to scout the path.