Rand POV#

Rand leads the Emond's Field folk downstairs and introduces them to Loial. He tells them he has been gone from the stedding over three years. Mat enters followed by Moiraine and Lan. Mat still has the Ruby Dagger, but he is partly cleansed. Loial greets Moiraine with, "the stedding offers sanctuary to the Servants of the Light." She thanks him but tells him to take care as there are perhaps twenty Aes Sedai in Caemlyn, all but she of the Red Ajah.[1] Rand tells Moiraine that Loial is coming with them. Lan leaves to keep watch. Loial mentions Elaida, so Rand tells her of his adventure at the palace. Perrin says they met Tinkers and Whitecloaks. Loial met some Tinkers. He has a Talent for tree singing and taught them his songs, but the trees would not listen to humans. He is from Stedding Shangtai. He says a man came about twenty years ago. He was near death but quickly got well in the stedding, then left without a word.[2] He planned to carry a message to Tar Valon that the Dark One intents to blind the Eye of the World.[3] Then Perrin tells Moiraine the Tinkers' story of the Aiel and the Eye of the World. The boys then tell her of their dreams of Ba'alzamon and the Eye of the World. Loial says all three are ta'veren. Moiraine says the Forsaken do not have a tenth the power of the Dark One naming several of them - Aginor, Lanfear, Balthamel, Demandred and Ishamael.[4] Moiraine decides that they must go to the Green Man to warn him. She asks if Loial can guide them through the Ways to Fal Dara, Mafal Dadaranell. Loial says they will all die.