Chapter 5 - The Shadow in Shienar

Summary

Moiraine and Siuan discuss the risks of stilling, the arrival of the Dragon Reborn, and their plan to send Rand, Mat, and Perrin to Illian with the Horn of Valere, while Moiraine reveals she has identified the boy as the Dragon. Simultaneously, Geofram Bornhald leads two thousand Children of the Light into Tarabon to meet Questioners, who command him to search for dangerous strangers near the Blight. Liandrin intimidates Lady Amalisa into helping her search for the ta'veren. Meanwhile, Padan Fain waits in the dungeon, smiling at the opening of his cell door as a guard arrives.

Characters

• Moiraine — Moiraine meets with the Amyrlin Seat to discuss the discovery of a broken seal of the Dark One and confirms that Rand al'Thor is the Dragon Reborn. She explains her plan to let Rand go to Illian with the Horn of Valere and his friends, claiming she must hide her true intentions to manipulate the Pattern, and departs the meeting with a stern expression to continue her work.
• Siuan / Siuan Sanche (Amyrlin, Amyrlin Seat) — Siuan expresses deep anxiety about the political situation and the possibility of the Dragon being gentled before Tarmon Gai'don, but is reassured by Moiraine's confidence in the Pattern. She acknowledges Moiraine's identification of Rand as the Dragon, accepts the plan to use the Horn of Valere as a political tool in Illian, and dismisses the meeting to make further plans.
• Leane — Leane gives Moiraine a sharp look as she exits the inner room and quickly enters the Amyrlin's chamber. She had remained outside the inner room to maintain the privacy of the meeting.
• Bornhald / Geofram (Lord Captain Bornhald, Geofram Bornhald) — Geofram Bornhald rides at the head of a legion of two thousand Children of the Light through Tarabon, following orders from Pedron Niall. He meets a group of Questioners led by Einor Saren, who commands the legion to march toward the Blight to confront strangers, leaving Bornhald to wonder if he is being manipulated by unseen forces.
• Saren / Einor (Questioner, Einor Saren) — Einor Saren, a Questioner and second to Jaichim Carridin, meets Geofram Bornhald's legion in Tarabon. He dismisses Bornhald's concerns about war, claims the village has been pacified, and orders the men to march toward Toman Head to fight strangers, asserting his command over the legion.
• Byar — Byar appears at Bornhald's side as his second, stiffening in his saddle and displaying the same fervent light in his eyes as the Questioners. He accompanies Bornhald to the bridge to oversee the crossing of the legion.
• Liandrin (Liandrin Sedai) — Liandrin invades Lady Amalisa's chambers, intimidates her with displays of power, and forces her to swear an oath to help find the ta'veren in exchange for protecting her brother. She then leaves the apartments, feeling a sense of being watched.
• Amalisa (Lady Amalisa) — Lady Amalisa is summoned by Liandrin, who threatens her and her brother Agelmar. Intimidated by Liandrin's display of strength and the revelation of the Black Ajah, Amalisa falls to her knees and swears to obey Liandrin's commands to search for the young men, terrified of the consequences of failure.
• Fain / Padan (Padan Fain) — Padan Fain waits in the darkness of his dungeon cell, grinning and whispering that the battle is never over. He stands when the door opens, feeling blood race through his veins as a figure enters.