Prologue: In the Shadow

Summary

In a shadowed chamber near Shayol Ghul, a masked follower known as Bors attends a secret council of Dark followers who have gathered to receive orders. They are confronted by a Myrddraal and then Ba'alzamon, a masked figure who announces the imminent return of the Great Lord of the Dark and reveals the existence of the Dragon Reborn. Ba'alzamon presents three young men, threads in the Pattern, to the assembly, assigning each follower a specific, cryptic task related to hunting or hindering these individuals or influencing events in Tarabon, leaving the followers terrified and divided by their private visions.

Characters

• Bors (the man who called himself Bors) — A masked follower disguised as a stooped man observes the gathering with suspicion and fear, analyzing the other attendees. He notes a Domani woman marked by her features and House symbols, as well as women in the gathering wearing Great Serpent rings. He receives private, violent visions and specific orders from Ba'alzamon regarding Tarabon and the three young men, then departs to carry out his task.
• Ba'alzamon (the figure, Great Lord of the Dark, Heart of the Dark) — A masked figure floating above the Myrddraal, Ba'alzamon addresses the assembly of Dark followers, announces the closeness of the Great Lord's return, and reveals the three young men who are central to the Pattern.