Mat POV#

Little happens for the next three days. The lords and maids now avoid Mat but he always seems to run into Moiraine. He visits the Great Holding to see the twisted red doorway but changes his mind. He begins spending his time drinking and dicing at taverns in the Maule or inns in the Chalm, the warehouse district.

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Perrin POV#

Perrin also visits the taverns. He is in search of a rumor or adventure that will take Faile out of danger.

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Egwene POV#

Egwene and Nynaeve continue to question Joiya and Amico but learn nothing new. There is no news from Tar Valon, but Moiraine does not outwardly show any worry. Egwene reads books on Tarabon and Tanchico. She and Aviendha start to become friends. Aviendha thinks Elayne should challenge Berelain to fight. Nynaeve spends as much time as possible with Lan.

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Elayne POV#

The Maidens help Elayne spend time with Rand. He asks for her advice on governing and listens intently. Berelain does not leave her quarters. Elayne is happy, but she knows she must leave with Egwene and Nynaeve.

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Rand POV#

Rand holds meetings with the High Lords. Thom helps out with information. He also finds Elayne's advice very useful. He wishes she would not leave, but knows that she must. Rand spends much of the rest of his time reading and planning. He needs to do something no one expects. Meilan and Sunamon present a treaty with Mayene that gives Torean a hold on the city-state. Rand angrily burns it and tells them to offer a reasonable treaty to Berelain or he will hang them. He thinks of Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve leaving tomorrow and hopes they will be safe. He looks at his hands and thinks of the Prophecies of the Dragon:

Recalling that Lews Therin was called the Dragon, he wonders what a Dragon is. He thinks maybe the creature on the Dragon Banner is a Dragon. A voice speaks behind him and he turns to find Selene. She announces that she is Lanfear and shields him to prove it. She also blocks him from Callandor saying she cannot trust him with it yet. She says, "There are only two more powerful that a man can use. One at least, I know, still exists."[1] She calls him Lews Therin telling him she knows him despite his different physical appearance. She drops her disguise revealing herself to be older but still incredibly beautiful. She angrily tells Rand that he loved her till that pale-haired milksop came along.[2] He retorts that she loved power.[3] Lanfear warns him that Sammael, Rahvin and Moghedien fear him too much to wait. They will come after him because they fear that the Great Lord will place Rand above them. She offers to have Asmodean teach Rand. Then they can destroy the others and rule together under the Great Lord. She tells him of the two giant statue sa'angreal and says that with them they could challenge even the Great Lord or the Creator. He refuses and she says she will wait until he comes of his own free will. Rand sees a Gray Man entering the room. Lanfear releases him so he can kill it. He blames her for the Gray Man but she says she does not use the Soulless.[4] She seems ready for him to attack her, but he cannot because she is a woman. She once again tells him to come with her and not go outside where he could be killed. He ignores her and opens the door to a battle.

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