Chapter 22: Watchers

Moiraine and Lan are staying with the retired sisters Vandene and Adeleas at Tifan's Well in Arafel, where Moiraine is searching their library for answers about the Dragon Reborn. She tells Lan she has arranged for his Warder bond to pass to Myrelle of the Green Ajah upon her death, and for Myrelle to hand it on later to a sister who needs him. Lan, who had no warning, is furious at being treated like a parcel, but Moiraine refuses to undo the arrangement.

She questions Vandene about the Dragon's links to Toman Head, about a Fade carrying something from Shadar Logoth, and about the Forsaken Lanfear. Vandene argues a disputed verse in the original Prophecies places the Dragon's appearance somewhere above Toman Head, Arad Doman, or Saldaea.

Walking in the garden afterward, Moiraine is ambushed by a Draghkar whose croon strips her will before she can hold saidar. Lan and the elderly Warder Jaem reach her in time and kill it. Adeleas notes the creature was warded to approach undetected, which only Aes Sedai could have done. Moiraine names the Black Ajah and resolves to leave at once, sensing she has stumbled onto an answer she did not know she was seeking.