The Great Hunt

Context before you read:

At the end of The Eye of the World, Rand channeled the One Power for the first time, using the pure saidin stored in the Eye of the World to defeat the Forsaken Aginor and seemingly destroy Ba'alzamon. Moiraine declared that the Dragon is Reborn.

The party recovered three artifacts from beneath the drained Eye: the Horn of Valere, one of the seven seals on the Dark One's prison (now broken), and the Dragon Banner. They traveled through the Ways to Fal Dara in Shienar, where they remain.

Mat still carries the ruby-hilted dagger from Shadar Logoth. Moiraine partially healed him in Caemlyn, but warned that without the help of Aes Sedai in Tar Valon, the dagger's corruption will consume him and spread like a plague.

Egwene and Nynaeve both have the ability to channel and plan to train at the White Tower in Tar Valon. Perrin has discovered he can communicate with wolves, an ability he fears and tries to deny. His eyes have turned golden yellow.

Loial, a young Ogier from Stedding Shangtai, joined the group in Caemlyn and guided them through the Ways. Thom Merrilin, the gleeman who taught Rand to play the flute, charged a Myrddraal with knives drawn at Whitebridge to buy Rand and Mat time to escape. He is presumed dead.

Padan Fain was captured at Fal Dara—a Darkfriend who was made into the Dark One's hound at Shayol Ghul to track the three ta'veren from the Two Rivers. He brought the Trollocs to Emond's Field and followed the group through the Ways.