Chapter 27 - The Shadow in the Night

Summary

Rand and Loial navigate the Foregate of Cairhien while being pursued by disguised Trollocs sent by Padan Fain to track them down. After a violent encounter where Loial kills a Trolloc and Rand is forced to use the tainted One Power, they are herded toward the edge of the city and eventually into the secret courtyard of the Illuminators' chapter house to escape their pursuers. Inside the workshop filled with dangerous fireworks, a fuse is accidentally ignited, causing a massive explosion that destroys part of the complex and kills the Trollocs, allowing Rand and Loial to flee while Selene vanishes in the chaos. Upon returning to their inn, Rand receives a sealed note from Selene promising their future reunion, leaving him to ponder his destiny and his desire for Ingtar's arrival.

Characters

• Loial — Loial accompanies Rand through the Foregate, killing a Trolloc in self-defense and helping guide Rand and Selene to safety. He helps ignite a firework to create a diversion, escapes the resulting explosion, and returns to the inn with Rand, explaining that Selene slipped away during the escape.
• Rand — Rand flees disguised Trollocs through the streets of Cairhien, using the One Power with difficulty before relying on a firework explosion to eliminate the pursuers. He rescues Selene and Loial from the trap, leads them to escape the Illuminators' courtyard, and later reads a note from Selene while worrying about his friends and the Horn.
• Hurin — Hurin waits in Rand's room at the inn, polishing his weapons. He questions Rand about his absence and is present when Rand reads Selene's note, shrugging in response to Rand's frustration.
• Selene — Selene appears to rescue Rand and Loial from the Trollocs. She joins them in escaping to the Illuminators' courtyard, where she is separated from Rand and Loial during the explosion and later sends him a note sealed with a crescent moon and stars.
• Aludra — Aludra, a woman with elaborately braided hair, argues with Tammuz in the Illuminators' courtyard over a firework accident, scolding him for his incompetence and ordering him to buy manure as punishment.
• Tammuz — Tammuz, a man in baggy yellow clothing, argues with Aludra after accidentally igniting a firework, protesting his innocence before being ordered to work and left to grumble in the shadows.
• Cuale — Cuale, the innkeeper of the Defender of the Dragonwall, greets Rand and Loial upon their return and presents them with a sealed note left by a servant, smiling mysteriously as he watches them leave.