Book
The Great Hunt
Chapter
The Flame of Tar Valon
Wheel of Time World Map
Map by Gerralt Landman

Locations in this Chapter

Chapter 1: The Flame of Tar Valon

This summary contains spoilers up to and including this chapter. Switch to Unspoiled mode

Atop the Fal Dara fortress, Rand trains at swordplay with Lan. During practice an unnatural wind drives Rand forward into Lan's strike, shattering the practice sword and cutting his chest. Lan reveals that Rand's heron-mark blade is likely a Power-wrought sword forged by Aes Sedai during the War of the Shadow—over three thousand years old and unbreakable.

Rand admits he has been delaying his departure because he does not want to leave Mat, Perrin, Egwene, and Nynaeve, and because Moiraine has gone away without telling him anything.

A procession arrives with the Flame of Tar Valon banner—the Amyrlin Seat has come in person. Lan warns Rand he should have left weeks ago, and Rand fears the Amyrlin has come either to gentle him or for reasons equally terrifying.