Chapter 15: Strangers and Friends

Waking late at the Stag and Lion, Rand learns from the cook that more than a dozen rats were found in the inn that morning, all with their backs broken. The detail matches his nightmare. Upstairs, Perrin admits he had the same dream and thinks Mat did too.

In the stableyard, a young woman named Min tells Rand she sees images around people that hint at what they are or will become, and that Moiraine asked her to look at the group. Around them she sees sparks and a great shadow, the sparks trying to fill the shadow and the shadow trying to swallow them. The images she names for Rand unnerve him, and she promises they will meet again.

Out in the streets Rand spots Padan Fain, ragged and frightened. Fain swears him to secrecy and bolts. Meeting Mat, the two compare dreams and agree to keep quiet. When Mat tips a load of barrels to splatter three Whitecloaks with mud, Rand feels a strange burning energy and goads their leader, Lord Bornhald, before the Town Watch breaks it up.

Falling in with Thom, the boys describe the dream. Thom tells them to say nothing to Moiraine. They return to the inn to find Nynaeve has crossed the river and is already inside, arguing with Mistress Alys.