Rand POV#

It is days after Rand sent Perrin away. Only Nandera sees him bringing his meals. Daily he looks at and is tempted by the control statue ter'angreal. They are hidden behind a huge wardrobe and an inverted Mirror of Mists.[1] Lanfear told him he could challenge the Creator with it. He got them from Rhuidean the night he sent the army toward Illian.[2] He has nightmares - Colavaere and all the other women who died because of him, he fights with Perrin and kills him, back in the box with Galina, Erian and Katerine beating him, Alviarin, Elaida, Egwene, Nynaeve and all the Aes Sedai standing united against him, Cadsuane telling him about voices.

Lews Therin seems to be gone. The fight with Perrin was staged, but Rand got so angry he nearly did kill him. Rand wakes on the fourth morning after sending Perrin away. Min is waiting for him. She tells him there is a feast in four days at the half moon, the Day of Repentance. She came because Alanna has been frantic. Min was a virgin before Rand. She thinks the fight with Perrin was fake, but does not know for sure. He wants to send her away like he sent Elayne and Aviendha; Cadsuane was right about him being mad. He admits hearing Lews Therin's voice.[3] She asks who Cadsuane is. She says he needs her; she has only told him half what she has seen in his auras. Her name is Min Farshaw.[4] If Rhuarc, Bael and Mandelain can have two wives then she says she can deal with Elayne and Aviendha. Rand has been avoiding the Sea Folk to try to leave them out of the coming battle. Berelain left a letter for Min asking her to keep reminding Rand about them. He promises to visit them today. He insists on the viewings. She admits there was only one:[5]

• "I saw you and another man. I couldn't make out either face, but I knew one was you. You touched, and seemed to merge into one another, and....one of you dies, and one doesn't."

Rand thinks the other man is Lews Therin,[6] which means he is not as mad as he feared. He issues orders to prepare to visit the Sea Folk. Nandera, Somara, Enaila, Malindare, Domeille come in and bathe him while Min watches.

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