Rand POV#

Master Fitch tells them that the Whitecloaks claim there is an Aes Sedai in Baerlon[1]. Moiraine asks if Min is still at the inn. Ara leads Rand, Mat, Perrin and Thom to their baths. Ara, who speaks very little, suddenly starts chattering and asking questions.[2] He says he heard about Trollocs in Saldaea. Lan joins them and sends Ara away. They finish their baths and go downstairs to join Moiraine and Egwene. Rand sees Moiraine talking to a girl.[3] Master Fitch, Mari and Cinda serve their meal in a private room. Lan heard that Logain won a battle in Ghealdan. Lan seems to know him.[4] The Whitecloaks are spending their energy arguing with Governor Heran Adan. Moiraine says they will stay in Baerlon for a day to rest, then leave early the next morning. They all go upstairs and Rand falls asleep.

Rand dreams. He is in a long hallway with many doors. The door he chooses leads to a room looking out on a very strange sky.[5] When he looks in a mirror, his face is blurred.[6] He is confronted by a man who names himself Ba'alzamon and offers him wine. Rand refuses. Ba'alzamon's eyes and mouth sometimes flame.[7] Ba'alzamon makes several claims:

• he asks if Rand was promised the Eye of the World,
• Rand's father and mother were chosen by Aes Sedai, (false)
• the White Tower used Davian, Yurian Stonebow, Guaire Amalasan, Raolin Darksbane and Logain, (probably false)
• he was never bound, (partially true)
• he told Lews Therin to kill his family, (?)
• he gave back sanity to Lews Therin so he destroyed himself forming Dragonmount, (true)
• he ran the Trolloc Wars, (true)
• he advised Artur Hawkwing to make war on Aes Sedai, (true)
• he sent Artur Hawkwing's army to Seanchan. (probably true)
• This sealed two dooms, his dream of one land and one people and a doom yet to come.[8]

He dares Rand to tell the Aes Sedai of this dream. They will certainly not use him then. He breaks a rat's back and then begins bending Rand.

Rand wakes from the dream with chills and a headache.[9]