ChapterTrack

Chapter 8 - The Dragon Reborn

Summary

Rand al'Thor undergoes a formal audience with Siuan Sanche, the Amyrlin Seat, accompanied by Lan Mandragoran to the anteroom, where he is formally identified as the Dragon Reborn and permitted to ride with Ingtar to retrieve the Horn of Valere. After leaving the Amyrlin, Rand encounters Egwene, exchanging farewells and revealing his internal turmoil regarding his destiny and separation from his friends. Nynaeve subsequently intercepts Lan Mandragoran, receiving a signet ring from him before confronting Moiraine about her manipulations and her own hidden abilities. Meanwhile, Egwene prepares for her departure to Tar Valon and shares a final, emotional goodbye with Rand before he departs.

Characters

  • Rand / Rand al'Thor (Dragon Reborn, shepherd, Lord Rand, son of Tam al'Thor, young lion) — Rand walks stiffly through the keep and enters the Amyrlin's chambers, where he is formally identified as the Dragon Reborn by Siuan. He struggles with the revelation, invoking the void to maintain his composure, and ultimately agrees to ride with Ingtar to find the Horn of Valere. Later, he confronts the restrictions of the women's apartments, speaks briefly with Egwene about their impending separation, and departs for his journey.
  • Siuan Sanche (Amyrlin, the Amyrlin Seat, Mother) — Siuan Sanche presides over Rand's audience, questioning him about his channeling and revealing the Prophecies of the Dragon to confirm his identity. She allows Rand to leave with Ingtar to avoid political backlash from other Aes Sedai, expressing reluctance about the necessity of using him as an anchor for the Pattern.
  • Moiraine (Daughter, Moiraine Sedai) — Moiraine accompanies Rand to the Amyrlin, providing historical context and confirming Rand's identity as the Dragon Reborn according to the Karaethon Cycle. She later intercepts Nynaeve, dismissing the Wisdom's suspicions and warning her about her own potential to channel.
  • Verin — Verin sits quietly during Rand's audience, observing the interaction with a scholarly detachment. After Rand leaves, she expresses concern to Siuan and Moiraine about the strength and stubbornness of the Dragon Reborn, noting that they may have to gentle him eventually despite the Prophecies.
  • Lan / Lan Mandragoran (Lan Gaidin, the Warder, al'Lan Mandragoran) — Lan guides Rand through the women's apartments, teaching him the proper stance and protocol for entering the Amyrlin's presence. Later, he meets Nynaeve in a corridor, giving her a heavy gold signet ring of the Malkieri kings and swearing to aid her, before departing with the Amyrlin's party.
  • Nynaeve (Wisdom, the Wisdom) — Nynaeve senses an unusual storm and frantically searches for Rand after his audience with the Amyrlin. She encounters Lan, who gives her a royal ring, and then confronts Moiraine, accusing the Aes Sedai of manipulating both her and Rand while asserting her own resolve to learn the Power.
  • Egwene (girl, young woman) — Egwene packs her clothes and speaks with Nynaeve about her departure to Tar Valon. A knock at the door interrupts them, and Nisura enters with news of Rand. Egwene later meets Rand in the hallway, delivering a stern farewell and expressing her desire to help him, before he departs. She is watched by other women in the women's apartments during this encounter.
  • Nisura (Lady Nisura) — Nisura, a round-faced attendant of Lady Amalisa, initially guides Rand and Lan into the women's apartments. Later, she alerts Egwene that Rand is causing a commotion at the entrance and accompanies Egwene to the hallway to oversee the interaction between Rand and Egwene.
  • Agelmar / Lord Agelmar (Lord) — Lord Agelmar stands with Kajin outside the women's apartments, enforcing the rule that men cannot enter. He intervenes when Rand tries to shout for Egwene, gently chiding him for his familiarity and leaving him in Egwene's hands before departing to attend to preparations for the Amyrlin's departure.
  • Kajin — Kajin, a Shienaran warrior, stands beside Lord Agelmar and reinforces the customs of the women's apartments to Rand, explaining that men must abide by women's rules within their domain. He observes Rand's frustration with the customs.
  • Ingtar — Ingtar is seen in the outer courtyard with a group of Shienarans and Warders, preparing for departure. He stands with armor on, while the horses and pack animals are readied for the journey to find the Horn of Valere.