Chapter 19: Beneath the Dagger

On the slopes of Kinslayer's Dagger, Rand wakes to find Selene at his saddlebags, claiming she only wanted a shirt. Hurin returns from watch with news of a hidden campfire in the hills below. Rand decides it must be Fain.

Pressed by Selene to act before Ingtar arrives and claims the glory, Rand and Loial creep into the camp. They find the golden chest with Mat's dagger lying bare-bladed on the lid. Rand pockets the dagger and Loial lifts the chest; they are nearly clear when Fain wakes howling Rand's name. Trollocs come for them out of the dark. Rand cuts them down with sword forms while saidin sings to him, urging him to burn them all. He fights it off and they ride for the camp.

Selene works the chest open and reads the inscription: 'The grave is no bar to my call.' Rand wants to take the Horn north to Agelmar in Shienar, but Selene argues Fain will hunt them and Cairhien is closer. He sets the dagger inside the chest with the Horn and agrees.

On the hilltop below, Fain rages over the loss. The Dark One's gift still pulls him toward Rand like a starving dog toward meat, and he swears the world will pay.