Chapter 47: The Grave Is No Bar to My Call

Rand, Mat, Perrin, and Hurin gallop away from Falme as Ingtar makes his final stand. They reach the hills above the town only to find themselves pinned — a vast Seanchan host behind them and Whitecloak cavalry closing from the other direction.

With no escape, Mat lifts the Horn of Valere from his saddle and sounds it. A thick, unnatural fog rises to blanket the land. Among those caught in the fog, Geofram Bornhald leads his Whitecloak half-legion in a blind charge toward the town — the earth erupts in fire around them, and he is killed.

From the billowing fog, riders descend on horseback: Rogosh Eagle-eye, Gaidal Cain with two swords drawn, golden-haired Birgitte with her silver bow, and at the fore, Artur Hawkwing bearing the sword Justice. Little more than a hundred strong, they are heroes bound to the Horn by the Wheel itself. Hawkwing addresses Rand as Lews Therin and asks for the Dragon's banner.

Perrin cuts a sapling and lashes the banner to it. Rand commands the heroes to drive the Seanchan into the sea and free Egwene; Hawkwing confirms the Pattern demands they follow the banner and the Dragon. With Mat sounding the Horn continuously, they charge into the fog toward Falme.

In the mist, Ba'alzamon confronts Rand directly. Rand channels saidin and fights him, perceiving both his own duel and the larger battle at once — the two contests are linked: when he advances, the heroes drive the Seanchan back; when he falters, the Seanchan surge. Ba'alzamon offers to teach Rand to control the Power and survive; Rand refuses, declaring he has never served the Shadow in any of his lives.

Recalling Lan's words about wanting something more than life and Ingtar's words about Sheathing the Sword, Rand takes the open, defenseless stance of Heron Wading in the Rushes. Ba'alzamon drives his charred staff through Rand's side; Rand drives his heron-mark blade into Ba'alzamon's heart. Both scream as the world explodes in fire.