PROLOGUE

Summary

Lan Mandragoran rides east along the Blight in Saldaea toward his death, initially refusing supplies from a follower before accepting him after invoking Malkieri tradition. The two travel together anonymously without raising the Golden Crane. Perrin Aybara forges iron in a dream blending with his wolf consciousness, struggling with his identity and the influence of Hopper while creating distorted figurines of past acquaintances and reliving violent memories before waking beside Faile. Graendal spies on the Dragon Reborn through a dove's eyes, realizes he has discovered her location at Natrin's Barrow, and barely escapes as al'Thor destroys the palace with balefire, killing Aran'gar and Delana in the process. Galad Damodred leads seven thousand Children of the Light through a foul swamp toward Andor, delivering a rousing speech to steady his exhausted troops before being ambushed by Asunawa; he surrenders himself to secure his men's safety and is taken captive. Padan Fain, now consumed by madness and hatred, slaughters a pack of Trollocs and a Myrddraal in the Blight, corrupts the survivors, and marches north to hunt al'Thor. Malenarin Rai at Heeth Tower receives an unresponded warning flash from a neighboring tower, prepares for an assault, prematurely grants his son Keemlin his sword during a coming-of-age ceremony, and stands ready as Trollocs and a Draghkar descend upon the fortress.

Characters

• Lan / Mandragoran — Rides east along the Blight in Saldaea toward his death, initially refusing supplies from a follower before accepting him after invoking Malkieri tradition. The two travel together anonymously without raising the Golden Crane.
• Bulen — Approaches Lan on foot with a packhorse full of provisions, claiming he learned of the Dragon Reborn's rise and wishes to fight for him. He reveals his Malkieri heritage and offers his father's hadori, prompting acceptance as a companion.
• Nynaeve — Travels to Aesdaishar to spread word of Lan's actions, convincing others to join him while adopting Aes Sedai mannerisms that irritate him. Her recent travels directly influence the gathering forces around Lan.
• Perrin — Forges iron in a dream blending with his wolf consciousness, struggling with his identity and the influence of Hopper while creating distorted figurines of past acquaintances and reliving violent memories before waking beside Faile.
• Hopper — Appears in Perrin's dream, advising him to abandon his human burdens and run free like a wolf. The wolf mocks Perrin's hesitation and watches as he forges metal figures representing past conflicts.
• Faile — Sleeps peacefully beside Perrin in their camp tent after he wakes from a disturbing dream. Her presence anchors him to his humanity, though he remains unsettled by lingering images of violence.
• Luhhan — Weighs on Perrin's mind as the blacksmith worries about disappointing him with shoddy forged pieces. His teachings on understanding metalwork guide Perrin's actions during the dream sequence.
• Graendal — Sips wine in Natrin's Barrow while conversing with Aran'gar, accepting the Great Lord's True Power dominance. She spies through a dove's eyes, realizes al'Thor has found her location, and barely escapes as he destroys the palace with balefire.
• Aran'gar — Lounges beside Graendal, expressing boredom at being removed from the war's center. She accepts Graendal's True Power influence and later falls victim to al'Thor's balefire attack alongside Delana.
• Moridin / Nae'blis — Overwhelms Graendal with his dominance as she channels a trickle of the True Power he grants her. His essence strains the Pattern, and she carefully avoids associating him with Moridin in her thoughts.
• Delana — Arrives to serve Aran'gar's desires and later applies complex Compulsion weaves to Piqor Ramshalan under Graendal's orders. She is killed when al'Thor destroys Natrin's Barrow.
• Garumand — Captain of Graendal's palace guard who reports the capture of an intruder approaching the fortification. He remains utterly loyal due to heavy Compulsion and assists in bringing the prisoner forward.
• Piqor / Ramshalan — Poses as a minor lord from Bandar Eban sent by al'Thor to negotiate an alliance. Graendal compels him with layered memories before releasing him to deliver a false report back to the Dragon Reborn.
• Galad / Damodred — Leads seven thousand Children of the Light through a foul swamp toward Andor, delivering a rousing speech to steady his exhausted troops before being ambushed by Asunawa; he surrenders himself to secure his men's safety and is taken captive.
• Dain / Bornhald — Rides alongside Galad through the mire, voicing concerns about faulty maps and exhausted men. He witnesses Galad's leadership style and later accompanies him during the parley with Asunawa's forces before taking his sword upon his capture.
• Trom — One of Galad's trusted Lords Captain who scouts ahead and reports a dead forest and floating corpses. He helps organize the Children's ranks during the confrontation with Asunawa's army.
• Byar — Stands with Galad's companions, displaying zealous devotion to the Last Battle. He attempts to draw his sword against Barlett but is silenced by Galad before the Lord Captain Commander surrenders himself.
• Asunawa — Commands a fresh force of Children and Amadicians that ambushes Galad's weary column. He parleys with Galad, refuses to recognize him as Lord Captain Commander, and accepts his surrender only after securing the safety of his men.
• Golever — A fair-minded Lords Captain at Asunawa's side who confirms the Children's refusal to surrender or fight among themselves. His steadfast answers bolster Galad's position during the negotiation.
• Harnesh — A short, one-eared Lords Captain who denies that the Shadow could overpower the Light in a duel of honor. He listens silently as Galad questions his loyalty and the nature of their cause.
• Padan / Fain / Mordeth — Walks through the Blight consumed by hatred and madness, carrying an unsheathed dagger that draws blood with every step. He slaughters a pack of Trollocs and a Myrddraal with mist, corrupts the survivors, and marches north to hunt al'Thor.
• Malenarin / Rai — Commands Heeth Tower on the Blightwatch, receiving an unresponded warning flash from a neighboring tower. He prepares for an assault, sends messengers southward, and prematurely grants his son Keemlin his sword during a coming-of-age ceremony.
• Keemlin — Malenarin's eldest son who approaches his fourteenth nameday. He swaps places with another boy to ensure a safer escape route, accepts his father's sword early, and stands ready to defend the tower against an approaching Trolloc horde.
• Jargen — Sergeant of the watch at Heeth Tower who reports the flash from Rena Tower and assists in preparing defenses. He respects Malenarin's command and oversees the tower's preparations as the enemy storm approaches.
• Landalin — Lieutenant roused to command the tower's roof during the siege preparations. He relays orders to archers and loaders while monitoring the unresponded messages from allied towers.
• Kralle — A soldier who fetches Malenarin's father's sword from his trunk for Keemlin's ceremony. He obeys the commander's orders promptly amid the chaos of the impending attack.