Chapter 15: Strangers and Friends

Rand learns that rats were found dead throughout the inn, their backs broken—echoing his nightmare. Perrin reveals he had the same dream, and Mat did too. In the stableyard, Rand meets Min, who explains she can see images around people—pieces of the Pattern. She sees sparks and a dark shadow around the group, and gives Rand cryptic visions of his future.

In the streets, Rand encounters Padan Fain, alive but terrified and half-mad, who makes Rand promise not to reveal him to Moiraine. When Mat's prank sends barrels rolling into a group of Children of the Light, Rand feels a strange tingling warmth and recklessly confronts their leader Lord Bornhald before the Town Watch intervenes.

The three boys tell Thom about their shared dream; he urges them to keep silent and not tell Moiraine. They return to the inn to find Nynaeve has arrived.