Chapter 41: Disagreements

Cold rain hammers the column as it crosses Toman Head. Rand suppresses saidin's call to scour the storm clean. Verin says she could lessen the weather but will not: any Aes Sedai within ten miles would feel the channeling, and that includes Seanchan damane.

They shelter in an abandoned village, its square scarred by three houses the Seanchan burned with people still inside. Ingtar is three days from the coast with no scent of Fain, and Verin insists Fain has gone to Falme. Rand announces he will ride on alone, claiming Fain's message at Barthanes' threatened Emond's Field. It is a lie, told to force the pace. Mat, hollow-eyed, argues Hurin's nose is their best chance at the dagger. Loial and Verin urge patience. Rand relents and goes upstairs to sleep.

Ba'alzamon appears by the bedside holding the Dragon banner, his burns nearly healed. He demands Rand serve, promising he alone can teach Rand to wield the Power without going mad. Rand seizes saidin and hurls it; the force sinks into the shadow around Ba'alzamon and vanishes. He draws more, and more, until the thought of Mat and the dagger pulls him back from destroying himself. He refuses, names himself Rand al'Thor, and wakes alone. The banner is back in his saddlebags. Charred fingerprints still smoke on the chair.