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This chapter opens with Thom trying to teach Mat how to play the flute (and failing miserably).  Rand then ask what the point is because they are just being gleemen for a disguise until they find Moiraine and the others.  Thom brings up the question of whether Moiraine and the others are alive are not.  Rand says "They're alive" and while Mat started to ask "what if" they arrived at Whitebridge.

After arrival they set out to look for an Inn to get info on Moiraine.  When they ask the innkeeper for info they find out that Logain had been captured.  They then find out that "someone" (Padan Fain newly merged with mordeth) and a Myrddraal had been looking for Moiraine and the others.  Thom then suggests that they go to Illian.  Rand says no (he wants to know what is happening to him he'll go to Tar'Valon with or without Moiraine).  Then Gelb comes in talking about them so they have no choice but to flee towards Caemlyn. Rand starts to notice the effects of the dagger (not knowing what it is from) while they try to get away.  The Myrddraal catches them but Thom attacks it to let Mat and Rand get away.

Chapter summary- EOTW - Chapter 27 - Shelter From the Storm
~Isulder

This chapter opens with Perrin and Egwene"> Egwene traveling with Elyas">Elyas and the traveling people.  Perrin is in a hurry but Elyas">Elyas tells him to calm down, but he continues to worry about bringing harm to the Tuatha'an. 

That night Perrin started to have wolf dreams and when he awoke he was able to sense any wolf near by in his mind.  Then he has a "Ba'alzamon dream" in which a wolf was killed trying to help Perrin.  When he awakes Elyas">Elyas tells him it is time to go.  They say there goodbye's and then meet up with the wolves who tell Elyas"> Elyas about "heartfang" the DO.

Chapter summary- EOTW - Chapter 28 - Footprints in Air
~by Isulder

The chapter opens with Nynaeve thinking about the tower and the One Power as her, Moiraine, and Lan reach Whitebridge.  When they arrive Nynaeve starts going at Moiraine about how she will find Mat and Rand, what she will do when she does and so forth.  Also a sign of her attraction to Lan shows up early in this chapter.  As the Dark One's gaze passes over, Lan shows the first signs of his affection for Nynaeve. 

As they enter the town they see the chaos from the Myrddraal attack. They go to an Inn and eat, Moiraine says that "the two with their coins" ate in that very room no more than a few days ago, but she says that they need to go find the one whom they know where he is first.  Nynaeve argues about that and other things but they eventually decide to go.

Chapter summary- EOTW - Chapter 29 - Eyes Without Pity
~by Isuldur

Elyas, Perrin and Egwene were moving quickly through the woods while Elyas made sure they left no path.  Elyas pushed them on hurrying but Perrin, and Egwene new why.  Later in the journey they encountered a bunch of ravens, Perrin asked if that was what Elyas was afraid of, Elyas said he didn't know what it was.  Then they moved on.  As they were running Perrin finally admitted he heard the wolves.  Then they entered the stedding. They then headed for the water. then he described Hawkwing's fall and what happened afterwards as the camped near a
statue of Hawkwing.


Chapter summary- EOTW - Chapter 30 - Children of Shadow
~by Isulder


Egwene and Perrin sit around the fire Perrin goes of and Elyas meets up with him they talk about how he would have killed Egwene over seeing
her ripped in pieces by the ravens. then he says he hates his axe and starts to throw it away, when Elyas tells him he will use his axe and
to use it until he no longer hates it THEN throw it away. While they are talking the wolves warn them of men coming. Perrin and Egwene split
up from Elyas and the wolves. they hide when the men come. someone spots them. it is the white cloaks. hopper tries to save Perrin, and he
dies in the process. Perrin and Egwene were captured. they're captors discussed they're loses, then they interrogated Perrin and decide he is
a darkfriend, then he announces that Egwene may repent and go free but death awaits Perrin.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 31 - Play for Your Supper
~by Tularis

Journeying down Caemlyn Road toward Four Kings, Rand and Mat are completely alone for the first time. Perhaps the only two reasons that keep them moving toward their future destination is what horrors lay behind them and the spark of hope that their friends still live.  Nothing much happens in the chapter, on a physical level anyhow. Rand and Mat at first hide from any strangers traveling down the roads, but a few acts of kindness and lack of food forces them to take more drastic measures. Taking odd jobs at various farms, they steadily made their way east, with each mile Mat seeming to grow more suspicious, his grip on the dagger from Shadar Logoth tightening.  Eventually, they stumble across the Grimwell farm, where they are greeted with open kindness for the first time in what seemed ever. It was then that Rand discovered the entertainment skill Thom had taught him with the flute became handy. 

After leaving the comfort of the Grimwell farm, they began to make their way toward their destination, Rand playing the flute, Mat juggling. They had begun to think their problems were over.. until they reached their destination: Four Kings.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 32 - Four Kings in Shadow
~by Tularis

Four Kings was a bustling scruffy village surviving only by being a stopover for merchants wagon trains between Caemlyn and Whitebridge and Lugard. Somehow Rand and Mat managed to weave through the hustle and mayhem of the many wagons and carts zooming back and forth to find a brightly painted Inn. Unfortunately, musicians could be cleanly heard over the drunken noise.  The next two also heralded such entertainment, and Rand was close to giving up and finding a hedge until him and Mat came across the Dancing Cartman, a silent inn, as brightly painted as the others.

Inside, Rand managed to convince a bandy, reedy fellow by the name of Saml Hake to allow them to play for a few pallets and dinner. Thanking him against his own judgment, Rand and Mat quickly set up on the raised platform.  It wasn't long before their playing attracted a good many listeners, and soon the common room was full of customers, more drunk then not.  Between flashes of the great storm raging outside, Rand and Mat alternated between playing and juggling. One man particularly attracted Rand's eye.  A richly dressed man, he not only stood out like a sore thumb for his rich clothing, but by the way people did not seem to comfortable around him and preferred to move away, even when another table was not free. Continuously smiling, he stared at the two boys, making no effort to hide his open interest in them.  Eventually dawn was quickly approaching the horizon, and Rand and Mat trundled up to their room, a small room high in the inn. After a quick examination, one of Saml's goons lay down the passageway, waiting.  Knowing that it was only a matter of time before the innkeeper was taken by greed and tried something, the boys attempted to push at the window with no success.  A knock at the door diverted their attention, and Gode's voice spoke to them through the door, identifying himself as a darkfriend.  Growing impatient, unsuccessful in convincing the boys to surrender, he attempts to force his way in. Growing desperate with each inch the door moves, Rand unconsciously channels for the first time and a bright light flared in the room, blinding him, throwing him up against the wall.  Shaking himself, finding no sign of Gode, he quickly rouses Mat and they climb through the window and out into the soaking rain, quickly losing Four Kings behind them.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 33 - The Dark Waits
~by Feelin Groovy

The chapter opens with Rand and Mat hitching a ride on the Caemlyn Road.  Rand watches as Queen's Guards pass by, however, more important is Mat's paranoia.  It seems to be increasing more, though he does fight it off sometimes.  Hyam Kinch, the owner of the cart, offers them both a night at his farmhouse, but Mat's paranoia sours the situation and they are forced to start walking to Carysford.

At this point the chapter moves into a flashback.  Mat and Rand are on the run from Gode after leaving four Kings.  After huddling under a bush to gain shelter from the rain, Rand falls asleep and finds himself in a dream. He is back in Four Kings, and he walks into The Dancing Cartman.  Ba'alzamon is waiting for him there. He further torments Rand, and significantly says "The Eye of the World will never serve you."  Mat and Rand jerk awake, as it turns out they both had the same dream.  When the sun rises, they set off, still nervous about pursuit.  They get a ride from Alpert Mull, who gives them two scarves.  After another stay in an inn, and another encounter with a Darkfriend who was too afraid to attack them, they make their way towards Caemlyn. Mat's eyes have improved and he is able to see again.

They catch rides all day until they reach a small inn where Rand falls ill.  Many think this was his power-acquisition fever syndrome. Mat takes him to a stable to spend the night. Rand spends the time hallucinating. In the morning, they are visited by another Darkfriend, a female this time, who gets very close to killing Rand.  Mat saves him, however. They lock her inside, and keep walking. Rand's strength fails a mile outside the next village, and he is picked up by Hyam Kinch.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 34 - The Last Village
~by Tularis

A day has passed since the events concerning the Queens Man, but nevertheless Rand and Mat are still ever watchful for any approaching threat, the memories of the woman in the stable still fresh in their mind.

The next town they come through is Carysford, in which they spend the night in a haystack before continuing in haste.  The next morning, Rand and Mat notice the road full of strangers, all apparently heading for the same destination as theirs, Caemlyn; all intent on seeing the False Dragon Logain.  After passing through two more towns, they pause near an Inn called the Goose and Crown.  Hiding in the shadows, the two boys eavesdrop on a conversation between three men, not realizing till afterwards that one is a Fade, and another is Raimun Holdwin.

Once the innkeeper and the Lurk go there separate ways, Rand and Mat approach the third man, an old timer by the name of Almen Bunt, who agrees to give them a ride to Caemlyn.  During the ride, Bunt tells the boys a little about Queen Morgase.  They learn she has an advisor named Elaida, the daughter is Elayne, and a son called Gawyn.  He also reveals a bit about the Trakand family; Luc and Tigraine get a mention.  Rand soon falls asleep, and Bunt wakes him, informing the boy he is now in Caemlyn.

Note: This is the chapter where the whole confusing sequence happens in which the same thing happens twice: the farmer giving Rand and Mat
the scarf's. As much as I can work out, this was meant to be a flashback of sorts just done in a confusing and not to well done manner. How
this error managed to slip past the publishers I'm unsure of... I can only shrug.. *shrug* :P

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 35 - Caemlyn
~by Lord Agelmar

Rand and Mat arrive in Caemlyn marveling at the huge city built by Ogier.  Bunts wagon takes them through the main gates and Bunt gives Rand advice about not wearing the sword in public.  They move through the city seeking out the Queen's blessing inn, because Thom told them to meet him there.  Asking for directions to the inn, Rand stopped at the marketplace to buy a piece of red cloth to cover the heron on his sword.  They reach the queens blessing where they met Basel Gill the innkeeper, eyeing the flute at Rand's waist Basel asks about where he got it from, Mat puts his hand on the dagger, Rand said it was Thom's flute and that he gave it to him when he died.  Basel doesn't believe that he's dead.  They talk about The queen and the rebellions that are happening and about Thom and his trouble that he had with the queen.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 36 - Web of the Pattern
~by Feelin Groovy

While Rand and Mat have a poor meal in Master Gill's inn, aforementioned owner approaches them and offers his help.  Rand tells him an edited story, and Gill agrees to help because they're friends with Thom.  Mat suspects Gill and everyone else, planting a seed of doubt into Rand's idea of their safety.  Mat goes to bed while Rand spends some time in the common room. He's scared of everyone, and asks for a place with a little more solitude.  He is directed to the library, where he meets Everyone's Favorite Ogier, Loial.

After some idle banter over the similarities between Ogier and Trolloc (though none over the similarities between Ogier and Ent, unfortunately), we find out that Loial is a young rogue who has left his home without the permission of his Elders to see the world and its groves in all of their wonder. We also learn of who the Ogier are and of the Longing etc.  After a short while, Rand ends up telling Loial everything, and I mean everything. Loial comes to the conclusion that Rand and Mat are Ta'veren. A quick explanation later, and he wants to travel with them. Rand agrees to at least be a companion to Loial until they leave, but it would be dangerous for him to travel with them.
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Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 37 - The Long Chase
~by Feelin Groovy

We're back to Nynaeve as she holds the reins for Aldieb and Mandarb while Lan and Moiraine are off conferring. She wonders what those two are up two, and recollects the events of the past few days.  The trio have passed through Whitebridge and many other ordinary villages. Eventually Moiraine realizes they must head in the direction of Perrin and Egwene">Egwene, because she's certain that they are alive. They follow the trail.  Nynaeve is brought out of her thoughts by Lan's hand on her mouth. She is needed, apparently. Lan leads her to Moiraine, where she is shown a Whitecloak camp - the one Perrin and Egwene">Egwene are prisoner in. Nynaeve agrees to help provide a diversion while Lan brings them out. She is to half cut the picket lines the horses are attached to so they can easily break free when Moiraine scares them, thus provoking the Whitecloaks to go secure them. Due to the repetitive nature of the Whitecloak patrols, Nynaeve easily reaches the picket-lines and cuts the ropes halfway through. She hesitates to cut the last line until she decides to do it to spite Lan. Imagine her surprise when the last horse is none other than Bela.  Another couple of horses could be very useful when the kids are set free, she decides. So she unties Bela and another horse and is about to ride off when Moiraine starts the diversion by summoning some lightning to terrify the poor horses. Nynaeve struggles to control her two horses and eventually succeeds. As she rides off, she notices two wolves chasing the madly dashing diversionary horses.

 

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 38 - Rescue
~by Feelin Groovy

Now we get to see what is happening to the trio's rescues. Perrin is obviously very uncomfortable with the situation, but Egwene">Egwene seems content as she is sleeping at the moment. As well she might - they've been marching all day in order for the Whitecloaks to reach Caemlyn.  However, Perrin can't get to sleep with worry over what the charming Questioners will do to them once they get to Amador. Eventually Byar visits, telling him to wake up with a nice kick in the ribs. Byar explains the situation to both of them.  Due to the wolves killing off the Whitecloaks' steeds, Perrin and Egwene">Egwene have to walk. No surprises there, they've been doing it all day.  However, because of this, the captives are slowing the Whitecloaks down - and they MUST reach Caemlyn in time. On the other hand, he also MUST take Perrin to Amador because he's a Wolfbrother. Byar wonders.  He can't go against orders, certainly, but what if Perrin and Egwene">Egwene were to escape on their own? The Whitecloaks would have no time to search for them.  Just mere speculation, Byar repeats as he drops a sharp edged rock on the ground - perfect for, say, cutting ropes.  Perrin, ever the thorough thinker, reconsiders. Maybe he just wants them to escape so they can be killed with an excuse. While he thinks, the wolves send a message to him - "Help comes!"  And indeed it does! While they watch, the two guards outside are taken out. An unarmed Lan strides in and easily takes care of Byar, for the moment. Perrin and Egwene">Egwene steal some cloaks and wait outside. Lightning flashes and the horses in the camp break free. It seems that the diversion has worked perfectly. All three escape without any trouble and meet up with Moiraine who voices her concern that Nynaeve's been up to foolish errands. Aforementioned fool breaks up the party with three horses, and Perrin and Egwene">Egwene hop onto the spares.  Later they set up camp and Nynaeve takes to healing the escapers.  Perrin is shocked at how many bruises there are on his chest. Nynaeve uses her ointments and bam! he's all better. But one thing remains. Now Perrin has his famous golden eyes. Moiraine seems surprised, and muses that it must be the will of the Pattern.  We find out Elyas Machera was an old friend of Lan's, and we get our first hint that all might not be as well as we thought it was in the White Tower, and the Red Ajah seems to be at the root of it. What's more, Lan scares the Light out of Perrin by telling him that their situation is a Shayol Ghul of a lot worse than they had previously thought. They have to find Rand and Mat in Caemlyn, or all might be lost.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 39 - Weaving of the Web
~by jaimeet

This is the day Logain shows up in Caemlyn. Rand wants Mat to come with him to go see Logain but Mat has stopped leaving his room (Shadar Logoth dagger). Basel Gill tells Rand that there is a beggar looking for the three boys. (Padan Fain) and that there are rumors of strange shapes seen in the night (Trollocs/Fades outside the city).  While waiting on the streets to see Logain Rand gets spotted by the beggar and has to leave the crowds He finds his way into the inner city.  Here he climbs the palace wall to get a look at the false Dragon. Logain is taken through the crowd in a wagon with 8 aes sedai and a dozen warders.  When Rand sees him he thinks that Logain looks and carries himself like a King. Logain then starts laughing and he carried around the corner (later we learn that he laughed because he saw the ta'veren glow around Rand and knew that Rand would be more trouble than he ever was).  Rand mutters aloud "why were the aes sedai watching him?" and a girl says "They're keeping him from touching the True Source, silly." He tries to get a look at who said that, loses his baLance and falls.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 40 - The Web Tightens
~by Feelin Groovy

Rand's been knocked unconscious by the fall, which gives his head the perfect opportunity to scare the Pit of Doom out of him. He's in one of his Ba'alzamon-induced psycho dreams, though we don't know whether this is Big Evil's doing or just a nightmare. He's sitting at a table with Moiraine and Logain, who are watching him. The vision blurs, and they turn into Ba'alzamon.  At this point Rand jerks awake to find Elayne Trakand, heir to the throne of Andor standing in front of him. The first thing he notices is her beauty, which hints at a future break-up with Egwene">Egwene. Her brother Gawyn soon joins them and cements his status as Elayne's lackey.  Elayne's kindness shines through as she quickly applies a bandage to Rand's head. While she does this, we discover that Elayne's mother, Morgase, the Queen, has a bit of a thing with her right-hand man, a character called Gareth, who has an impressive history of serving queens.  Rand realizes he's stumbled into the Royal Garden and makes moves to leave, but Gawyn insists on learning his name. Rand hesitantly introduces himself as pre-Whitecloak Galad arrives on the scene. He attempts to 'protect' Elayne and Gawyn from the intruder, but Elayne basically tells him where he can stick it. Galad wanders off and notifies the Palace Guards who quickly come to arrest Rand. Elayne tries to stop them but they insist on taking Rand to Morgase. They have no option but to fall in.  They are taken to Morgase, and we get our first glimpse of unintentionally evil bitchtroll Elaida, who is hell-bent on making everything
perfect - no rats, pretty flowers and a caged false Dragon are all in a day's work. She interrogates poor Rand, making him nervous. Rand tires of telling her the truth and ends up telling her lies just to get her to shut up. This turns out to be a double-edged sword. On one hand, he sets Elaida on a false trail. On the other hand, the false trail makes her suspect he is plotting against Caemlyn. She Foretells that Rand is unspeakably dangerous, which is true. Morgase doesn't buy it though, and lets Rand go free. Elayne flirts, Gawyn scares him by saying he looks like an Aielman, and TalLanvor chucks him outside, locking the gates. In fear of Elaida catching him, Rand legs it back to the Inn.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 41 - Old Friends and New Threats
~by Lord Ravear Mandragoran

Just back from the palace Rand goes back to the Queens Blessing, where he finds master Gill and Loial playing a game of stones, where he tells them of his meeting with the queen and co. Master Gill strongly advices that he should leave town, Rand agrees and master Gill says he'll give him and Mat horses.  Loial asks if he can come 2.Rand gives his consent.  Then Whitecloaks come into the inn looking for a boy from the Two Rivers.  Master Gill quickly removes them from his inn, despite they're threats.  A serving wench by the name of Gilda then comes in to tell them that a Lady is in the kitchen asking for Rand and Mat.  When they go and check it out the Lady turns out to be Moraine with Egwene">Egwene, Nyn, Perrin and Lan.  While Moraine stays downstairs for a few minutes to rid the place of rats for Master Gill (thus shielding it from the DO's rat-eyes), the rest goes upstairs to see Mat.  They find him feverish and sweat covered.  Nyn checks him out, while Mat spouts comments for all there present, all very true.  Just then Moraines comes in with Lan on her heels.  Seeing the danger and taint of Shadar Logoth in Mat she quickly pushes everyone away from him.  Mat then tries to kill moraine with the dagger he took from Shadar Logoth, but Lan quickly holds his arm in a iron grasp.  Mor then motions everyone to leave while she does what she can for Mat.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 42 - Remembrance of Dreams
~by Lord Ravear Mandragoran

After leaving the room, so moraine can heal Mat, Rand leads the group to the library where Loial is reading a book. Rand introduces the group to Loial and explains he is a Ogier. they all sit down and talk a bit.  After a while Mat comes in looking fine, with Moraine next to him and Lan behind them.  Mat doesn't remember much of what has happened.  As they are all happy and talking Rand notices that Mat keeps touching his jacket as if to make sure something is still there, Rand gasps and Moraine, noticing his gaze, sits close to him and tells him that he still has the dagger, and that the separation has to be made in Tar Valon, she alone can't remove it from him without killing him.  She could only keep the taint away for a while, and cleanse him from what was there.  then they all are talking about many things , like the Whitecloaks, Rand's palace experience, and then Loial starts talking about something he finds important, apparently a man showed up at stedding Shangtai a little while ago (read:20 years ago) during the Aiel War.  He was at the point of death though he had no marks or wounds, the elders thought it might be something that was done with the power, since as soon as he was in the stedding he got better, he disappeared one night in the middle of the night but not before he told the Ogier a curious tale about that the DO pLanned on blinding the eye of the world and slay the great
serpent, kill time itself.  Perrin then jumps in and tells then that the Tinkers have a similar story (2 years old), some Tinkers crossing the waste found some Aiel dying after a battle with Trollocs, and the Aiel just before dying told them 2 that Sightblinder (Aiel name for DO) pLanned to blind the Eye of the world.  Moraine takes this very seriously and Perrin tells Rand and Mat that it's time moraine knew that Ba'alzamon was in their dreams and told them that the Eye of the world will never serve them. Moraine then says that the Green Man must know of this threat and they have to go to the Eye of the World.  They have to go to the Blight.  And Moraine pLans on using the waygates to get there.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 43 - Decisions and Apparitions
~by Lord Ravear Mandragoran

This chapter begins with Loial telling everyone what the waygates are, gifts from the male Aes Sedai for the sanctuary provided for them in the stedding by the Ogier during the breaking.  (because you can't channel there, and thus can't get crazier then you already am), though eventually they all went outside because they hoped the taint was gone and they could channel again.  He tells them that in the ways time and distance are odd, you could travel for a day in the ways and cross a span that would've taken you weeks without the ways.  When the last Aes Sedai left they gave the Elders a talisman that could grow ways, thus the Ogier grew ways everywhere to travel easier.  But over the years the ways began to change, a darkness fell over it , people went in and never came out, some who had come out were mad, raving about Machin Shin, the black wind.  They couldn't be healed.  Despite this danger they all agree to go. While preparations are being made they all go and get some sleep.  Rand and Mat are having another Ba'alzamon dream (though it isn't said Perrin probably did 2), in this dream they see three figures standing on a table, a man with a wolf at his side, a man with a dagger and a man with a sword (gee, difficult huh).  Ba'alzamon goes into 1 of his usual rants, they deny him, he goes nuts, they wake up...panting.  As Rand and Mat wake up Rand notices he has a big splinter in his hand (it got there in his dreams).  Moraine comes into the room to tell them to get ready, and they tell her about the dream, she heals him and tells them to hurry, time is running out.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 44 - The Dark Along the Ways
~by Lord Ravear Mandragoran

As Rand and Mat follow Moraine downstairs they see everyone is ready to go.  Rand and Mat get horses from Master Gill as they say they're goodbyes.  Loial can sense waygates, so he directs them to 1, through the Streets of Caemlyn.  Loial directs them to a cellar where he says the waygate is.  They find it, apparently this was once a Ogier grove, for the stoneworkers so they wouldn't have to go to the steddings all the time because of the Longing.  It was cut down, and made into homes.  A fact that angers Loial considerably. They then proceed to enter the ways. Inside it's complete darkness.  Following the signs that are still there (though corrupted) they move fast.  They travel like this for several hours before coming to a bridge...that is broken.


Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 45 - What Follows in Shadow
~by jaimeet

They (Rand, Mat, Perrin, Egwene">Egwene, Nynaeve, Moiraine, Lan and Loial) are still in the ways and have come to what seems like a dead end where a bridge in front of them has crumbled.  While looking for alternate paths to Mafal Dadaranell Loial suggests going somewhere closer like Tar Valon or stedding Shangtai but Moiraine insists on Fal Dara.  After traveling for a while they decide to rest for the night Moiraine does not set wards or use Saidar because she says the taint is so strong in the ways that almost anything she does will be corrupted.  The group is tired of the monotony of the ways the Emond fielders specially are depressed and glum sitting around the stove to get warm when Moiraine decides to cheer them up .... she tells them that Thom is not dead .... nobody in whitebridge mentioned his dying and Min also said something about Thom and a role he still has to play.  When they start on their way the next day Lan notices that someone is following them (Padan Fain)..... and not trying to catch up.  At the next guiding they notice Trolloc script and Moiraine realizes that's how the Trollocs got to Emonds Field.  Soon Rand feels the wind an realizes that there is no wind in the ways.  They realize it's Machin shin and decide to run for it .... there are only 2 more bridges to Fal Dara.  They reach the gate and realize that the key the Avendesora leaf is gone.  Moiraine cuts through the stone and Lan rams his horse to topple it outwards and they rush out while Moiraine holds Machin shin at bay and then slowly backs out of the waygate herself.
They start on their way north to Fal Dara.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 46 - Fal Dara
~by jaimeet

After stepping out of the waygate they notice that Ogier grove is long gone.  Moiraine tells them that they are in Shienar and only a few miles from Fal Dara, they can see the towers over the tree line.  They pass deserted farms and Moiraine picks up the pace.  Getting closer to Fal Dara they notice that it is built on a hill and is a much smaller city than Caemlyn and the walls are grim.  Lan tells them to take off their hoods so that their faces can be seen.  On entering the city we hear cries of "Dai Shan!", "Glory to the Builders!" and, "Kuerai ti Wansho!"  Ragan inquires of Lan if the Golden crane will fly again.  Fal Dara is full of refugees (the deserted farms).  The castle is preparing for war and Lord Ingtar escorts them to Lord Agelmar who is waiting.  Ingtar tells Lan that they will ride to Tarwin's Gap to meet the Trolloc threat.  Agelmar welcomes Lan, Moiraine and Loial and is surprised when Moiraine says she is leaving the next morning he was hoping for the Aes Sedai and Lan to fight at Tarwin's Gap with them.  Agelmar does not expect to win the battle and expects Fal Dara to fall.  Agelmar asks them to join him for dinner.  Ingtar tells them a madman (Fain) made it to the walls of the keep and was trying to enter .... he is brought in, Rand recognizes him as the beggar looking for him an Caemlyn .... Fain tries to convince Agelmar that he can help them defeat the shadow.  His accent changes and he starts treating Agelmar like an equal .... he offers fame for Agelmar as the man who defeated the shadow and tells Agelmar not to get ensnared by Tar Valon (these are the first hints that he is Mordeth).  Then he breaks down and confesses that they made him do it.  Moiraine and Lan take him away for questioning.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 47 - More Tales of the Wheel
~by jaimeet

The boys are waiting restlessly to hear what Moiraine has to say about Fain, the women on the other hand are talking to Agelmar who is being a great host. Egwene">Egwene inquires about Lan's title of Dai Shan and Agelmar then proceeds to give us Lan's history.  He is the uncrowned King of Malkier which fell to the blight 50 or so years ago due to the jealousy of Lan's aunt Breyan who sent her husband Lain into the blight with a Malkier army that was lost.  She then plotted with Cowin Fairheart to win the throne for her son Isam ..... the two of them emptied the border forts of Malkier to seize the throne .... the border forts emptied, half its men dead in the blight, Malkier was defenseless against the Trollocs that attacked.  Cowin turned out to be a darkfriend who was then captured by Jain Charin and killed by Lan's father Akir in single combat .... Lan was sent away with 20 solders as body guard to Fal Moran while his parents met the Trolloc attack and
died. Isam and Breyan fled but were killed by Trollocs (we know that Isam at least wasn't killed).  Just as he finishes Lan's story Moiraine comes back. She tells them that 3 years ago Fain was summoned to Shayol Ghul and set to hunting them by Ba'alzamon.... after his Two Rivers visit he was taken to Shayol Ghul again and his mind was distilled and he was asked to mark out the three he had found to a fade that would be waiting for him in Emonds Field.
Moiraine also tells Agelmar about the waygate at Mafal Dadaranell and asks him to wall it up.  Fain had followed them through the ways and Machin Shin had been unable to hurt him. We also learn that Fain has been changed so that he can sense the three boys and is compelled to follow them. There is something that Fain managed to keep from her no matter how hard she tried (mordeth).  We also learn through Fain that the Dark One can exert his will over the world though weakly at Shadar Logoth he appeared as a flame and made the fades enter the city.  Agelmar once again offers to send better warriors than Rand Mat Perrin with Moiraine but she says that these are the three that will fight....Agelmar is shocked thinking Moiraine has male Channelers with her but she explains that they are all three Ta'veren and almost (except Rand) all three have the old blood of Manatheren.  Agelmar has faith in that.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 48 - The Blight
~by Tularis

In the morning, while the majority of soldiers from Fal Dara are riding out to join King Easer and his men outside the pass of Tarwin's Gap, Ingtar and a hundred other Lances accompany Moiraine, Lan and others to the border of the Blight. Along the way they pass various watchtowers which are all poorly manned: The fall of the towers would not matter if the Lances failed to hold the Gap.  At the border, Ingtar halts and informs the group that he had been commanded to go no further, and he must ride hard and fast in the hope of reaching Tarwin's Gap in time. Turning to Lan, he raises a gauntleted hand, open palm to the wader, and announces, "Suravye ninto manshima taishite, Dai Shan. Peace favor your sword." Riding into the blight, the air suddenly becomes warm and humid and Nynaeve remarks at the wrongness in the atmosphere. Rand feels the same.

Lan warns them of dangerous flora and fauna, such as the Stick. Knowing that the Green Man has always been found beyond the high passes of the Mountains of Dhoom, they continue toward the distant range.  Mile by mile, the conditions of the blight become more apparent. Trees and flowers hang decay and withered, and the very air tastes like rotting meat. Knowing they can't reach the mountains by nightfall, and sleeping on the open ground would be considered suicide, Moiraine suggests another area slightly less dangerous. With reluctance, Lan takes them to the glittering lakes and seven ruined towers of Malkier...

While Lan and the boys hobble the horses, Moiraine sets an invisibility ward. Finding the dank depressive atmosphere of the blight heavy to sleep in, Rand overhears Lan and Nynaeve have a heart to heart talk before passing out.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 49 - The Dark One Stirs
~by Tularis

The next morning Rand, Mat, Perrin, Moiraine, Lan, Nynaeve and Loial prepare to break camp. Moiraine channels saying she is removing the last vestiges of what she did last night. They continue north to the Mountains of Dhoom, the trees and other foliage becoming more disfigured, more resembling tortured figures. Rand watches as some move, despite the lack of wind, hardly able to believe his own eyes. Suddenly, the blight becomes alive around them. Trees flail at their head while bizarre creatures attack them. They somehow manage to press on, all the
while holding of the multiple attacks that threaten to overwhelm them. Mat shouts out a stream of old tongue words as he fires his bow..."Mordero daghain pas duente cuebiyar." (Death fear none holds my heart.)  They hear a fluting cry and Lan says its worms, very dangerous. Running, watching as the wild beasts scatter around them, Rand begins to think they won't manage to make it until suddenly they are found in a green clearing and are greeted by the Green Man.   A man shape shaped by vines and leaves and acorns, with a large scar on his head. The Green Man calls Loial little brother. Loial replies, "Tsingu ma choshih, T'ingshen." = "You honor me, Treebrother." He recognizes Perrin as a Wolfbrother. He calls Rand "Child of the Dragon" and
says, "Do the People of the Dragon return to the First Covenant? But you wear a sword. That is neither now nor then." He recognized Moiraine and is surprised she found him the second time. To that, Moraine asks to be taken to the Eye of the World.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 50 - Meetings At the Eye
~by Tularis

Moiraine, Rand and others follow the Green Man through his forest of beauty. The dangers of the blight seem to be part of another world in this soothing tranquil atmosphere full of blossoming flowers and tall, bight trees. Eventually they come to an opening in the side of the hill. On the keystone is the ancient symbol of the Aes Sedai.  Mat then asks about the Tree of Light, to which the Green Man replies he has not rested beneath its branches for over two thousand years. He then explains he does not wish to enter the Eye with them. He feels that his end is linked with it, somehow. He tells them the Eye of the World was made in the first days of the Breaking. It was made by a hundred men and women working together and they died in the process.
Guarding the Eye of the World was not what the Green Man was made for.  The others enter the cave and come across a strange pool, rimmed with a low flat edging of crystals which gave the cavern a dull but fierce light. Mat kicks a stone in the water, which doesn't make a noise; not a splash, nor a ripple. Moiraine explains the Eye of the World has enough power to mend the seals on the Dark One's prison or to break it open. It is the pure essence of Saidin. No one living knows why it was made.  When the group leaves the cave, two man approach. One is older then old, with a dark green cloak and withered wrinkles. The other wears the same attire but instead has a tight black leather carapace shaped in a grinning young face. When asked, the former identifies himself as Aginor and points at the other, Balthamel.  Aginor says Mat guided them, "an old thing, an old friend, an old enemy". He also says "the seals weaken, some of us are bound no longer, like Ishamael we walk the world again." Lan starts toward him, but is thrown back by an unseen force. Nynaeve lunges at him but is quickly grabbed by Balthamel who moves a lot faster for his condition then he should. As Aginor looks at the Wisdom he licks his lips and says, "I have nearly forgotten the pleasures of the flesh, but Balthamel remembers much."  Rand manages to tackle Egwene">Egwene, and not listening to his or Moiraine's word of warnings, Mat and Perrin start in the direction of the Forsaken, but are quickly sent flying by a loud whip-like sound. The Green Man arrives as Rand is contemplating what he can do, and firmly tells the Chosen to leave.  Balthamel tosses Nynaeve like a rag doll and begins to burn The Green Man. Roaring with pain, hazed with smoke, the Nym grabs at Balthamel, crushing the Forsaken to his chest. The Green Man withers and burns, his leaves falling and vines withering, but as he falls to the ground, Balthamel begins to jerk and begins rotting and dies, overcome by pLants of decay.  As The Green Man dies, he touches an acorn and an oak tree grows. Moiraine attempts to slow Aginor, but the Forsaken easily escapes her weaves, and as everyone runs, he follows Rand...

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 51 - Against the Shadow
~by Qarambur

Rand faces Aginor on the cliff. Aginor is becoming less aged as he draws in the power after such a long absence. Although instructed by Ba’alzamon to bring Rand (LTT) alive to him, Aginor instead tries to kill him. This was the first time Rand noticed the connection/ rope between a forsaken and Saidin. This rope also connects to Rand, infusing him with the power. There ensued a battle over control of the power, with Rand eventually defeating Aginor. The impact of that victory transported him to the battle raging at Tarwin’s Gap. He had arrived just prior to what would have been the last futile push of the forces of light, for the dark one’s forces were too strong and numerous. Rand’s sudden appearance caught the attention of the Myrddraal and Draghkar, who moved in for the kill. Rand struck each with lightning, using weapons without knowing their source, striking the evil creatures from the sky. Rand, exhausted from his battles, disgusted at the waste of life, and terrified of his own power, screamed for an end, casting fire and earth at his foes. Before Rand could understand the results of his actions, he found himself in the room of his past encounters with Ba’alzamon. Facing him at last, Rand would no longer run. Ba’alzamon’s ultimate conquest would have been Rand, LTT reborn, to kneel to him alive. This had been his goal all along, yet he would settle for him dead as well. Ba’alzamon, as was his wont, used those close to Rand as bait. The image of his mother being ripped to shreds by Myrddraal enraged him, however. Rand produced a sword of light and cut through Ba’alzamon’s power cord, then stabbed him through the heart. Ba’alzamon was no more.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 52 - There is Neither Beginning Nor End
~by Qarambur

Rand wakes up from his battle with Ba’alzamon, finding himself suddenly back to the original site of his fight with Aginor. As memory returned, he recalled his fight. “Shai’tan is dead” he cried, as the world lurched a round him.  Rand ran back to the Eye of the World, searching for Egwene">Egwene. Finding her with Moiraine and Nynaeve, Rand explained his events. With this expLanation came the realization that he had used the One Power. Rand could channel.  Moiraine explained her suspicions about Rand being the subject of her search. She noted the fact that Bela had been “healed” during their flight from the Two Rivers. Although Rand claimed he would never touch the power again, he knew in his heart that would be impossible. As he focused on his power, Rand remembered the dreams where Ba’alzamon claimed the Tower would use him as they used previous false dragons.  He told Moiraine that he would be no Tar Valon puppet.  Lan and the others had gone into the cavern where the Eye was no more. They brought out fragments of one of the seals on the Dark One’s prison, the fabled Horn of Valere, and the banner of the Lord of the Morning, Lews Therin Telamon.  All the while the blight had been slowly creeping in to the hallowed ground of the Green Man. With his death, the protection he offered receded quickly.

Chapter Summary - EotW Chapter 53 - The Wheel Turns
~by Qarambur

As the party wakes up from their rest at the Eye, the blight had continued to overtake the area. Rand was surprised that is defeat of Ba’alzamon had not totally defeated darkness.  An oak tree had sprung up from the dying of the Green Man. Loial could not leave his “treebrother” to the blight, so he treesang the oak. “This little space, at least, will not sink into the Blight. The Blight will not have Treebrother.”  Their two day journey back to Fal Dara revealed a Blight less evil, less dangerous. Their battle with the Dark One’s forces had wounded him, his power less.
Upon reaching Fal Dara, they found celebrations among the soldiers. They were joyful of the great victory at Tarwin’s Gap. Ingtar was less joyous, as he did not make it in time for the great battle.  He escorted the party to Lord Agelmar, who informed them of the details of the fight. He told of how the earth and mountains had swallowed the forces of the Dark One whole. Agelmar said some had claimed that the Creator himself had appeared to fight for the light. The only remaining were a few Draghkar, who fled north.  Moiraine showed Agelmar the Horn of Valere, so that he might know the might on their side in the Last Battle.  As the party remained in Fal Dara, Rand continued his lessons of the sword with Lan. Egwene">Egwene and Rand discussed their pLans for the future, Egwene">Egwene and Nynaeve to Tar Valon to continue their training, while Rand was unsure. The only thing he did know was that he could no longer go home.

Moiraine, having heard this through the use of her blue stone, proclaimed quietly to herself: The Prophecies will be fulfilled. The Dragon is Reborn.”