The Gathering Storm
Chapters - Robert Jordan, Brandon Sanderson
Prologue: What the Storm Means
Across the Westlands, people feel the pull of the Last Battle as a Shienaran farmer leads his household north to join the gathering armies. Falendre delivers Rand's message to the Seanchan, while Tylee's forces are attacked by Trollocs near Ebou Dar. Graendal is summoned to Moridin and instructed to keep Rand alive but destabilised, and Rodel Ituralde springs his trap on a vast Seanchan army in Arad Doman. Faile executes Masema with a dagger through his heart, ending the false Prophet of the Dragon.
POV: Graendal, Renald Fanwar, Falendre, Tylee Khirgan, Rodel Ituralde, Masema·On page: Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, Nynaeve al'Meara, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Logain Ablar, Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 1: Tears from Steel
Rand moves restlessly through Arad Doman, never staying long in one place since his encounter with Semirhage. Cadsuane and Nynaeve press him to allow harsher interrogation of the captured Forsaken, but he refuses to permit torture, insisting that some lines must not be crossed.
POV: Rand al'Thor·On page: Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, Min Farshaw, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Jahar Narishma, Damer Flinn, Davram Bashere, Alivia, Sorilea, Rhuarc
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 2: The Nature of Pain
Egwene endures Silviana's beatings with quiet resolve, finding the physical pain trivial beside the anguish of watching Elaida destroy the White Tower from within. When Elaida taunts a cowering Meidani over dinner and proposes a fourth oath of obedience, Egwene's fury causes her to drop the soup she is serving, earning another beating during which she begins to laugh.
POV: Egwene al'Vere·On page: Rand al'Thor, Nynaeve al'Meara, Siuan Sanche, Beonin
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 3: The Ways of Honor
Aviendha suffers mysterious punishments from the Wise Ones without knowing what offence she committed, enduring the shame in silence. She scouts Domani refugees with Rhuarc and is chastised by Bair for scouting when she is no longer a Maiden, while Amys sets her further tasks and questions her thoughts on Rand.
POV: Aviendha·On page: Rand al'Thor, Min Farshaw, Amys, Bair
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 4: Nightfall
Gawyn Trakand watches from a hilltop as a patrol of Gareth Bryne's soldiers searches a village near Dorlan. His lieutenant Jisao urges him to attack the dozen soldiers, but Gawyn refuses, recognising that destroying this patrol would draw Bryne's full attention toward their hiding place. The Younglings - three hundred youths under Gawyn's command - have been conducting a harrying campaign against Bryne's siege force of fifty thousand, surviving only because Gawyn knows his former teacher's tactics.
Gawyn reflects on his growing unease about fighting for the wrong side. He killed his sword teachers Hammar and Coulin during the Tower split and now faces his first mentor, Bryne, in the field. He questions why he continues fighting for Egwene al'Vere and Elayne Trakand's opponents, knowing both women chose the rebel side willingly. As he withdraws his men through the dark countryside, he recognises that the division between his duty and his loyalties is tearing him apart, yet he cannot bring himself to choose.
POV: Gawyn Trakand·On page: Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere·Mentioned: Gareth Bryne
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 4: The Pattern Groans
Gawyn and his Younglings raid Gareth Bryne's rebel soldiers in the countryside around Tar Valon, using his knowledge of Bryne's strategies. Haunted by the growing sense that he has chosen the wrong side, Gawyn questions whether fighting yet another mentor is worth the cost.
On page: Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Gawyn Trakand, Logain Ablar, Moiraine Damodred, Jahar Narishma, Merise Haindehl, Corele Hovian, Damer Flinn, Harine din Togara, Padan Fain·Mentioned: Lews Therin Telamon
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 5: A Tale of Blood
Rand grows furious that no one believes he cleansed saidin, and wrestles with the unsettling way Lews Therin's memories bleed into his own thoughts. Cadsuane observes Semirhage's interrogation and recognises something of herself in the Forsaken's iron composure, resolving to find the key to breaking her.
POV: Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Rand al'Thor·On page: Egwene al'Vere, Suroth
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 6: When Iron Melts
Rodel Ituralde rides through the aftermath of his victory at Darluna, surveying the battlefield of fifty thousand Domani dead against a Seanchan force three times his size. He finds the dying Seanchan general, Turan, pinned against a boulder with a broken spear through his stomach. The two men share a moment of mutual respect, discussing the battle's tactics - how Ituralde used decoy forces of women and farmers wearing uniforms to fool the Seanchan raken scouts, then hid his real army inside the city's buildings. Turan warns that High Lady Suroth will send an overwhelming response, and Ituralde acknowledges he cannot truly win this war, only resist. At Turan's request, Ituralde grants him an honourable death by the sword, then leaves the general's heron-marked blade standing beside his body.
The chapter then shifts to the White Tower, where Leane sits imprisoned in her cell, visited by Egwene al'Vere. As Egwene prepares to leave, a terrifying bubble of evil strikes: the iron bars of Leane's cell melt like warm wax, the stone floor warps into a sucking funnel, and globs of liquefied stone rain from the ceiling. Egwene grabs Leane's hand and screams for help from the Yellow sisters on guard, who yank Leane free with threads of Air just in time. Once the melting stops, the materials harden again into distorted shapes. Egwene uses the incident to challenge the Yellows about the Dark One's growing influence. Later, exhausted, Egwene discovers that two entire sections of the White Tower have been mysteriously swapped - the Brown sisters' quarters have been relocated into the novices' wing, with the transition so seamless that floor tiles are split and merged at the border. The Tower is thrown into a frenzy of confusion as sisters try to make sense of the impossible rearrangement.
POV: Egwene al'Vere, Rodel Ituralde·On page: Rand al'Thor, Nynaeve al'Meara, Min Farshaw, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Daigian Moseneillin
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 6: Questioning Intentions
Rodel Ituralde surveys his pyrrhic victory over the Seanchan outside Darulna, half his army slain, and grants a dying Turan the mercy of a clean death. In the White Tower, a bubble of evil warps Leane's cell and transposes entire sections of the building, leaving Egwene stranded in the Brown quarters as novices and corridors switch places overnight.
On page: Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere, Elayne Trakand, Siuan Sanche, Logain Ablar, Moiraine Damodred, Aran'gar, Lelaine Akashi
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 7: The Plan for Arad Doman
Nynaeve and Daigian discuss the unfairness of ranking Aes Sedai by strength in the Power, and Nynaeve offers to Heal her grief, but Daigian refuses, saying the pain of loss should be honoured. Rand orders Bael and Rhuarc to seize members of the Domani Merchants' Council to restore order, overriding their objections with a hardness that troubles Cadsuane.
POV: Nynaeve al'Meara·On page: Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Berelain, Aram, Alliandre·Mentioned: Tam al'Thor
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 8: Clean Shirts
Siuan navigates the dangerous politics of the rebel camp, deflecting Lelaine's growing ambition while maintaining her own position as Egwene's agent. She explains to Gareth Bryne that her oath to see the Dragon Reborn to Shayol Ghul takes precedence over all others, and in the World of Dreams she updates Egwene on Halima's true identity as one of the Forsaken.
POV: Siuan Sanche·On page: Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 9: Leaving Malden
Perrin Aybara inspects wagons in preparation for departing Malden after rescuing Faile Bashere from the Shaido. A hundred thousand refugees need to be moved, with another Aiel force camped nearby, and Perrin deals with a stream of demands: First Captain Arganda wants to ride ahead with Queen Alliandre, Lord Captain Bertain Gallenne wants to charge the Aiel, and secretary Balwer presses for more time to interrogate Shaido captives about Forsaken involvement. Perrin refuses them all, focused entirely on departure.
Despite having accomplished his goal of saving Faile, Perrin feels hollow and troubled. He recognises that during her captivity he abandoned his duties, ignored Rand's orders, and got good men killed - including Aram, who fell to Aiel arrows after being corrupted by Masema. Tam al'Thor reports that the Two Rivers men are ready to march and warns Perrin that most will refuse to go home, insisting on following him to the Last Battle. Perrin is disturbed by their loyalty, feeling unworthy of leadership after his failures. He sends the refugees marching north immediately under Aravine Carnel's organisation, while reflecting on the uncomfortable truth that the thrill of battle had made him feel more alive than anything else - and now, with Faile safe and the fighting over, he feels purposeless. He senses the pull of ta'veren drawing him toward Rand al'Thor.
POV: Perrin Aybara·On page: Rand al'Thor, Min Farshaw, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Faile Bashere, Berelain, Aram, Alliandre·Mentioned: Masema, Rand al'Thor
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 9: Blood in the Air
Perrin leads his people north from Malden, pulled by the invisible tug of Rand's ta'veren nature. He rebuffs suggestions to pursue the remaining Shaido and tells Tam he will do his duty to the Two Rivers folk, setting the column of refugees marching toward the Dragon Reborn.
On page: Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, Min Farshaw, Elayne Trakand, Faile Bashere, Thom Merrilin, Aviendha, Gawyn Trakand, Siuan Sanche, Lan Mandragoran, Logain Ablar, Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag, Moiraine Damodred, Yukiri, Doesine Alwain
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 10: The Last of the Tabac
Rodel Ituralde smokes the last of his Two Rivers tabac in an abandoned stedding, studying maps with his officer Rajabi. Nearly two weeks after his victory at Darluna, the Seanchan have regrouped with over three hundred thousand men and two hundred damane under a new general who is not repeating earlier mistakes. Ituralde's Taraboner allies have failed to come, and his forty thousand remaining troops are trapped between the Seanchan and a reported hundred thousand Aiel holding northern Arad Doman, including Bandar Eban. He tells Rajabi a parable about a master juggler who kept adding balls until he disappeared in a flash - implying that Ituralde's own spectacular run of victories must end.
Ituralde decides to dig in at the stedding, where the One Power cannot be used, negating the Seanchan damane. His officers Wakeda, Ankaer, Melarned and young Lidrin arrive and debate the decision. As they begin fortifying, a lone stranger walks into camp: a tall, fair-haired young lord in red and gold who identifies himself as Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn. Despite scepticism, Ituralde is struck by the man's commanding presence and his intimate knowledge of the Forsaken. Rand offers Ituralde a hundred Asha'man who can channel and create gateways for instant travel, in exchange for making peace with the Seanchan and taking his forces to defend the Borderlands. Rand reveals that King Alsalam is likely dead or under Forsaken control, and demonstrates the Power by opening a gateway outside the stedding. Convinced, Ituralde agrees - the gateways offer escape from his death trap and a chance to keep fighting with honour. Rand orders him to be in Saldaea by nightfall.
POV: Rodel Ituralde·On page: Rand al'Thor, Egwene al'Vere, Siuan Sanche, Gawyn Trakand·Mentioned: Lews Therin Telamon, Galad Damodred
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 10: After the Taint
Rand finds Rodel Ituralde's battered army sheltering in an abandoned stedding, besieged by a second Seanchan force. He tells Ituralde that King Alsalam is dead and offers a hundred Asha'man if Ituralde will abandon Arad Doman and take his soldiers to the Borderlands where they will be needed most.
On page: Rand al'Thor, Nynaeve al'Meara, Moiraine Damodred, Amys, Bair, Sorilea
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 11: The Death of Adrin
A bubble of evil strikes Rand's camp, turning a guard into a living pillar of black flame that sets the building ablaze. Aviendha channels the nearby river to extinguish the fire, impressing even the Aes Sedai with the skill of her weaving, and the Wise Ones tell her the chiefs are losing faith in Rand's plan to kidnap the Domani merchants.
POV: Aviendha·On page: Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, Min Farshaw, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Davram Bashere, Moridin
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 12: Unexpected Encounters
Egwene's quiet influence spreads through the White Tower as Aes Sedai of every Ajah begin seeking her counsel, from Bennae's request for political advice to Suana's invitation to join the Yellow. She discovers a secret group of Sitters hunting the Black Ajah and forces them to release Meidani from a fourth oath of obedience, demanding they redirect their efforts toward healing the Tower's divisions.
POV: Egwene al'Vere·On page: Rand al'Thor, Min Farshaw, Siuan Sanche, Berelain
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 13: An Offer and a Departure
Gawyn Trakand spars in a barn at Dorlan, defeating two Warders simultaneously - the renowned Sleete, who once bested Lan Mandragoran twice in seven bouts, and the Green-bonded Marlesh. Despite his sword mastery, Gawyn finds no answers to his larger conflicts in the simplicity of combat. Sleete offers Gawyn a place as a second Warder to his Aes Sedai, Hattori, but Gawyn refuses, knowing he would only accept a bond from Egwene al'Vere.
Gawyn tries to gain entry to a secret Aes Sedai conference in the mayor's house but is rebuffed by Covarla, who threatens to have the Younglings replace him. Afterwards, he overhears Katerine Alruddin - who has mysteriously reappeared via some unknown means - revealing devastating news: the rebels chose Egwene al'Vere as their Amyrlin, she has been captured by the Tower, and she is being beaten daily. Gawyn is staggered. Katerine also mentions that the Tower has acquired the weave for Travelling. Realising that Egwene faces execution as a false Amyrlin, Gawyn makes his decision instantly. He packs his saddlebags, fabricates a cover story about inspecting an outpost, and prepares to desert. Sleete catches him in the act but lets him go, saying he likes to see men who care. Gawyn rides into the night, heading for the only place he can think of to find help rescuing Egwene - Gareth Bryne's rebel camp.
POV: Gawyn Trakand·On page: Rand al'Thor, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, Cadsuane Melaidhrin, Berelain, Galad Damodred·Mentioned: Egwene al'Vere, Gareth Bryne
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 13: For What Has Been Wrought
Gawyn practises swordplay against two Warders and defeats them both, but his restlessness grows when he learns from Katerine that Egwene has been captured and is being beaten daily. He packs his saddlebags and rides out of Dorlan in the night, leaving the Younglings behind.
On page: Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, Nynaeve al'Meara, Min Farshaw, Elayne Trakand, Faile Bashere, Thom Merrilin, Aviendha, Gawyn Trakand, Siuan Sanche, Lan Mandragoran, Logain Ablar, Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag, Moiraine Damodred, Sharina Melloy
Source: Dragonmount
Chapter 14: A Box Opens
Cadsuane and Sorilea examine Semirhage together, and Sorilea provokes the Forsaken's strongest reaction by simply remarking on how human she appears. The three women agree to work together on the problem of Rand, united in the belief that he is not yet ready to face the Dark One.
POV: Cadsuane Melaidhrin·On page: Rand al'Thor, Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag, Semirhage, Selucia
Source: Dragonmount