Rand has established himself as a ruler of nations, but the Aes Sedai of the White Tower - both the loyalists under Elaida and the rebels in Salidar - have their own plans for the Dragon Reborn. When Rand is captured and imprisoned by Elaida's embassy, the resulting rescue at Dumai's Wells produces one of the most dramatic and consequential battles in the series. Lord of Chaos deepens the political complexity significantly, introducing the Asha'man - male channellers trained as weapons by Rand - and escalating the tension between those who would use Rand and those who would follow him.