Chapter 29: Seanchan

Lord Captain Bornhald rides into a village on Almoth Plain to find thirty bodies on a hastily built gibbet, including children—the work of Questioners under Carridin, operating in disguise. He orders the bodies cut down and interrogates a prisoner, learning the invaders call themselves the Seanchan, the Hailene—Those Who Come Before—and speak of a Return to reclaim lands their ancestors once held.

A message arrives ordering Bornhald to abandon his advance toward Toman Head and root out Darkfriends on the plain. He defies the order, convinced the real threat lies in Falme, and sends word to every unit he can reach: the legion will march to Toman Head.

Meanwhile, Bayle Domon is overtaken on the Aryth Ocean off the coast of Toman Head by a towering Seanchan warship. When he tries to escape into shallow water, the sea erupts in columns of fire—the work of a damane, a channeler enslaved by the Seanchan with a collar and leash of silvery metal. He surrenders and is boarded by Captain Egeanin, a cold-eyed woman in insect-like armor, who forces him to sail to Falme.

At Falme, hundreds of Seanchan warships crowd the harbor and three-eyed creatures patrol the docks alongside their handlers. The Watchers Over the Waves' towers stand at the harbor entrance—their First Watcher caged as punishment. Townspeople move through the streets under occupation, having sworn oaths to obey, await, and serve the Return.

Captain Egeanin brings Domon before High Lord Turak, who leads the Seanchan Forerunners. Turak has found the cuendillar disk among Domon's possessions, and reveals a cabinet filled with cuendillar pieces—including its exact twin. Rather than releasing Domon as promised, Turak decides to keep him as a fellow collector and conversationalist.