The Horn of Valere - an artifact capable of summoning the legendary heroes of ages past - has been stolen by Darkfriends, and Rand al'Thor joins the hunt to recover it while struggling to deny his growing ability to channel the One Power. Meanwhile, Egwene and Nynaeve travel to the White Tower to begin their training as Aes Sedai, and the Seanchan - invaders from across the ocean who enslave women who can channel - make their first devastating appearance on the western coast. The Great Hunt expands the world dramatically, introducing the parallel dimension of Tel'aran'rhiod (the World of Dreams) and the political complexity of the Aes Sedai, while driving Rand closer to accepting the identity he fears most.