Madoc Comadrin, and his book "Fog and Steel", are quoted by Mat a number of times during the books. He was a general that lived 1500 years ago. Of course, Mat remembers meeting him lol
Welcome to the longest of all prologues. The only "chapter" longer than this in all the books is the Last Battle chapter.
Previously - Eamon Valda (Whitecloak Boss) and Rhadam Asunawa (Questioners boss) led a bunch of Whitecloaks away from Amador, conveniently just before the Seanchan invaded.
They are now out in the middle of the country somewhere. Since we last saw them, they have made some kind of alliance with the Seanchan. Apparently. Seems weird, but ok.
After Pedron died, Valda took over and was not a fan of Pedron's plans for Morgase and Andor. So he just took advantage of her - physically - with no intention of offering her any help reclaiming Andor as Pedron had.
Jeramel - location of the main battle that Amadician armies fought against Seanchan as they tried to take over the nation. We never saw this in the book, only heard it mentioned briefly.
Sheathe the Sword - a swordfighting move where you purposely get into a position that makes you an easy target for your opponent to hit you, but it also makes it easy for you to kill your opponent. It is called "Sheathing the Sword" because you allow your opponent to "Sheathe their Sword" in your flesh lol
There are now two groups of Whitecloaks wandering around. Galad leads one, and Asunawa the other.
Galad says a quote "to fight the raven, you may make an alliance with the serpent until the battle is done" - a perfect anaology here, because the raven is the symbol of both the shadow and the Seanchan (who they want to fight) and the serpent (ring) is a symbol of Sedai (who they are talking about allying with). Good one.
Before the fight, Valda proclaimed that if the accused did not accept the challenge, his position would go to the accuser. He didn't actually say the winner took the loser's position. But that was the olde law.
Previously - Ituralde was leading troops around his home nation of Arad Doman, under order "from the King" (actually from Graendal)
He eventually decided to go his own way and fight the Seanchan who were obviously going to come for Arad Doman soon.
He made an alliance with leaders of the Dragonsworn, who are from both Tarabon (where Seanchan already rule) and Arad Doman.
His plan was to send lots of small groups down into Seanchan territory in Tarabon, and make a heap of coordinated raids on Seanchan sites. Then to goad the Seanchan into chasing his people back north into Arad Doman, where he would have a trap waiting for them.
The men going into Tarabon are to be disguised as Seanchan-loyal troops.
Itsy also knows that many of the Tarbon Dragonsworn in his followers will want to remain in Tarbon when they get there, and not be part of the "chase us back to Arad Doman" part of the plan.
The men and women Itsy saw in the town that got "run down" by the soldiers were actually ghosts.
After Itsy saw them run down he "murmured a prayer for the dead" - lol, yes he did, they were already dead.
Itsy always plans for all eventualities, and he thinks that unless the Dragon Reborn himself appeared in front of him, he will be fine. Lol, well, maybe that will happen later Itsy.
Previously - Itsy launched his first coordinated raids against the Seanchan
Tuon is gone, and when Mat left he took some sul'dam, damane with him, and freed the Sea Folk damane on his way out.
Some days later, Furyk secretly took his own little group (including Musenga, Tuon's personal sul'dam and damane, and some Ogier) - out to search for her.
Suroth knows the secret of sul'dam being able to channel. She raised a sul'dam, Alwhin, to be her Voice to keep her quiet about it as well.
There are rumours of someone who looks just like Tuon extorting merchants around the city.
Liandrin is one of Suroth's da'covale, after she found the Blackie permanently shielded by Moggy and working as a servant in some of the lands they conquered.
Atha'an Shadar must mean "People of the Shadow". You can work it out from Atha'an Miere (Sea Folk/People of the Sea), "Shadar Haran" (Hand of the Shadow), "Shadar Logoth" (where the shadow waits)
Itsy's plan is working perfectly - the Seanchan want to chase him down!
Suroth says the Seanchan are still looking for the Shaido, and for some Whitecloaks (probably because they didn't come to a meeting that Valda was preparing for when Galad killed him)
Galgan is "not ready to move on Illian yet" because of Itsy's work re-securing Tarabon is more important. So Itsy saved Illian lol.
Suroth believes it is really Semirhage because "who would dare claim that name falsely or appear as living fire?" - lol, well, anyone who can channel and wanted to fool Suroth would.
Suroth notes that Tuon will take a new name when she is Empress. Her chosen name will be "Fortuona". Not as good as the name she chooses for Mat though.
In the stakes of "creating choas, and preventing people of the world from uniting together" I think Semirhage wins. Killing the whole royal family and causing the whole continent of Seanchan into war. GG.
Pevara - one of the hunters for Black Ajah. Last book we saw her in a meeting with Tarna (the new Keeper) discussing the Red Ajah bonding asha'man to control them.
Tsutama - head of the Red Ajah now that Galina has disappeared (to the Shaido). She was one of the Sedai sent away for years to a farm as punishment for the illegal gentling of men years ago. Elaida brought those Reds back.
Javindhra - Sitter for the Red Ajah. In Logain's made-up story about the Red Ajah setting him up, Javindhra was named as the leader of the group that did it.
Dumai's Wells - the place the battle took place to free Rand from the box.
Sashalle - one of the Sedai who was stilled by Rand during his escape from the box. She has since been Healed by Damer Flinn
Toveine - Sedai who led the group to take care of the Black Tower, and is now bonded to Logain.
Talene - Black Ajah that the hunters found. Alviarin is suspicious there is something going on with her, so is going to investigate.
Atuan, Marris - two more Blackies that have been discovered (off-screen)
They note that Duhara has left Tar Valon for unknown reasons. Elaida has sent her to be an advisor to Elayne. Lol, Elayne will not accept that.
They mention using bonded asha'man to "increase the sieze of circles" for example to fight Forsaken. The exact same idea the rebels had.
Oh dear - the misunderstanding when Elaida first told Seaine to "seek out treason in the Tower" has been realised. She went off hunting Blackies while Elaida just wanted evidence against Alviarin. But then, Elaida won't care about that as much any more, because Alvi is no longer the Keeper.
Previously - Alvi has been stripped of the Keeper's role because her blackmain against Elaida was no longer useful. Everyone now knows of the "failures" (kidnapping Rand and sending sisters to the Black Tower), but blame other sisters for them.
She thinks Elaida knows about the Black, and has been ordered by Shaidar Haran to discover who is seeking the Black Ajah.
This is the 5000th noted!!!!
She noted Talene behaving strangely in a meeting with Elaida, and summoned her to a meeting of the Black Ajah council. But the Black Hunters do indeed know of Talene, and sent her away, protecting her from attending.
Elaida also gave Alvi "pennance" the same way she had done in return.
No more noteds here. 5000 is enough, right?
Previously - Galina is sworn to obey the Shaido Wise Ones on their oath rod (which they got from Sammael)
She is trying to get Faile and friends to steal the rod back for her, in promise of helping them escape. Which of course, she will not do, as she is blackie.
Perrin has peeps out trying to get intel about the Shaido camp.
Tallanvor found some Seanchan who are also trying to take care of the Shaido. Perrin wants to ally with them.
Galina thinks that Faile is her only leverage because "none of the others have secrets they fear being known" - lol no one knows who Morgase is though.
Galina is lucky to avoid anyone she knows. The other Sedai are not there. And she has not met Berelain before, even though they were both in Cairhien before Galina led Rand's kidnapping.
Galina calls herself Alyse. Must be a common fake name. Moiraine calls herself Alys in the first few books when she wants to be anonymous.
The Wise Ones drink only water. Galina has unknowingly given Perrin a very useful piece of information!
Previously - Egwene and Leane went to turn the chains across the Tar Valon harbours to cuendillar, to block ships from getting in.
Egwene was captured.
In the Tower, all the Ajah's are turning against each other. Mostly thanks to Alviarin making Elaida do random things to divide them. And the fact that Elaida is too useless to help undo it.
Nicola the novice tried to blackmail both Egwene and some other sisters to get them to allow her to learn faster. Last we heard, she had run away.
Nicola has foretelling, and used to make up fake ones to try to help her get things she wanted lol
The adventures of Egwene in the Tower begin.
They will, of course, like all storylines, go on for a few books lol
Previously - Egwene and Leane are captured by the Tower Sedai.
Min had a viewing that Siuan and Gareth had to stay near each other or they would both die.
Two Sedai - Anaiya and Kairen - have been murdered with saidin. We know it is Shim, of course, but none of the characters know who or why they were murdered. RAFO.
There are a bunch of Sedai who have sworn to Egwene. Myrelle and Nisao are two of them. Along with Sheriam and her buddies. Will that still hold now she is gone?
Egwene allowed some Sedai to go and start negotiating with the Tower.
Egwene set Theodrin and Faolain to spy on Romanda and Lelaine.
The violent wind at the start is described as having a burned sulphur smell. Presumably from Dragonmount being volcanic at the very top. But that's also the same small as Darkhounds have. No idea if there's any connection.
Siuan wonders where Bela is - pretty sure Egwene rode her to the river when she went out to do the chain.
Beonin - one of the original Salidar founders/leaders. Also now one of those starting the negotiations with the Tower.
Darein - the village outside Tar Valon where negotiations are to be done.
Two Sedai - Anaiya and Kairen - have been murdered with saidin. We know it is Shim, of course, but none of the characters know who or why they were murdered. RAFO.
King Mattin Stepaneos of Illian vanished the day before Rand invaded. The assumption by anyone would be that Sammael killed him, planning to become King himself.
Tarna - Elaida's new Keeper now she kicked Alviarin out.
Egwene had a dream of Seanchan attacking the Tower, and has tried to tell some Sedai in the Tower.
The rebel Sedai know lots of new things with the Power, thanks to Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve and Moggy.
The "ferrets" that were sent to the Tower were discovered by the Black Ajah hunters. But no one else in the Tower knows of them.
They discuss the murders. It is true that the two murdered sisters had something in common. You can go back and read New Spring if you want a clue LOL
At the end , Elaida notes Meidani as one of the ferrets. The Black Ajah hunters made Meidani go and try to re-friend Elaida, so she could spy on her for them. It was their way of trying to see if Elaida is a Blackie.
Previously - Mesaana was punished by Shaidar Haran for failing to help at the battle of the Cleansing.
Osan'gar (Aginor) was killed by Elza the Blackie at the Cleansing battle.
Graendal and Sammael were working together. Demo, Semirhage and Mesaana have some kind of alliance also.
In the prologue of book 10, we saw Bashere and Dobraine both being attacked and robbed. By darkies trying to find The Seals.
I have no idea why there are 11 chairs at the meeting. There are 11 Forsaken that COULD be brought back (all except Be'lal and Rahvin who were balefired). So maybe Moridin is just preparing in case Darky decides he will bring back Sammy and Asmo and Osan'gar again. Or just keeping the other Forsaken guessing.
"She could not find Egwene's dreams without being right beside her" - one of several reasons Shim has gotten herself in to work with Egwene.
We never find out who was disguised as Sammael and ordered all the trollocs into the Ways. The most popular theory I think is that is was Moggy because she makes a comment in the very last book about "being able to impersonate all the Forsaken" (she impersonates Demo after he dies and tries to command the Last Battle).
It also fits Moggy's style to hide herself and work from the shadows to keep herself safe.
The trollocs that are sent into the Ways by [whoever is was] will appear later in this book.
Moridin cannot allow Rand to be killed now because of his link with him. This is why he has taken full command of what should happen to Rand.
Semirhage says that Moridin should have shown them all Mat and Perrin before. She knows Mat very well - she was in the Palace in Ebou Dar as Tuon's truthspeaker while Mat was being Tylin's Toy.
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido. Here is the Perrin Group diagram again
Tallanvor found some Seanchan that are trying to find and defeat the Shaido. Perrin wants to make an alliance with them.
Annoura - Berelain's sedai, has been acting weird since her and Masuri started secretly meeting with Masema. I assume because Berelain found out about this.
Aram has been a bit fascinated by the Prophet since they first met.
The Prophet has also been meeting with the Seanchan, and some of Berelain's men got a letter out of his tent from Suroth.
When Sammael scattered the Shaido around, all the Wise Ones who can channel were hanging out with Sevanna, and so went together.
"When the Wolf King carries the hammer, thus are the final days known" - Perrin threw away his axe after cutting off an Aiel prisoner's hand. He now only carries his hammer as a weapon.
"When the fox marries the raven, and the trumpets of battle are blown" - Mat and Tuon obvi
Tylee will be a bit of a main character from here on.
The Seanchan are impressed with Berelain's ancestry. The leaders of Mayene have always been descendents of a man who claimed to be Artur Hawkwing's grandson 1000 years ago. And of course Hawkwing's son founded Seanchan, so the Royal Family and High Blood are all his descendents also.
The wind smelling of sulphur is again here. Just as the wind at the start of chapter 1 in the rebel sedai camp. So, not necessarily coing from Dragonmount - just a Dark One gust.
I can never remember if forkroot works on men who can channel or not. Tylee confirms here that it does.
The Seanchan have heard stories of Manetheran, even though they have lived on the other side of the ocean forever. Manetheran was around 2000 years ago, and Hawkwing was only 1000 years ago. So his people who went and founded Seanchan knew history from this land before that.
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido.
Galina has promised to help them escape if they get the Oath Rod for her.
Rolan has implied he will help Faile and friend escape one day. But might want her to come with him and his friends.
Therava has promised to let them go if they spy on Sevanna for her.
Galina revealed a knife that Faile had hidden away, and Faile was punished by Sevanna. Galina did this after Morgase made a failed attempt to steal the rod. Just to show Faile that she could still cause her problems if she did not cooperate and succeed.
During her night tied up, Rolan came and helped Faile be more comfortable with some fire and massages.
More recently, Galina was late back from a ride out of the camp because Perrin's people captured and questioned her. She was punished lol
Aravine - a gai'shain lady who swore to Faile, and wants to help her escape, so she might get help escaping herself.
nar'haba - "Fool box" - the same Sammael gave to the fake ter'angreal that he used to scatter the Shaido.
Again, the fact that the Wise Ones only drink water is mentioned. Just to remind the reader, for when it is important later.
Faile has the rod. Perrin is plotting with the Seanchan. This story might come to an end soon lul
Previously - Mat and friends are hiding out in Luca's show. Here is the list of his people.
Mat took Tuon and Selucia shopping for fabric to have dresses made.
Renna escaped and was going to return to the Seanchan and reveal where everyone was. But they shot her.
When they came back from shooting her, Tuon had decided to give Luca a "warrant of protection" from her personally. But Mat is specifically excluded from the protection. Because she's a weirdo.
Ghosts.
Aludra said she would tell Mat all her plans and secrets if he could work out why she wants a bellfounder.
Toun's "game" is who can go longer using only their nicknames "Toy" and "Precious"
Noal talks about how Jain Farstrider "let himself be made into a tool by…", and then stops and can't remember the rest. The end of that sentence is "by Graendal" - he was captured by her and she used compulsion on him and sent him to Ebou Dar (to find the angreal there that everyone else was looking for, and also to spy on the darkies employed by other forsaken - like Bors)
Olver mentions Jain Farstrider capturing a man who betrayed Malkier. Jain/Noal is originally from Malkier, and he captured the darkfriend who caused the downfall of Malkier after the nation was overrun.
There are Seanchan soldiers coming into town, across the road from the show.
Apparently Cadsuane has a ter'angreal that does what Mat's does. It's true, it's one of her ornaments in her hair.
Previously - some Seanchan soldiers tried to walk into the show without paying.
Bethamin the sul'dam channelled. The Aes Sedai are now teaching both her and Seta.
Mat bought a horse (a razor) for Tuon. And a stick to make a longbow for himself.
Aludra said she would tell Mat all her plans and secrets if he could work out why she wants a bellfounder.
Mat and Toun are calling each other "Toy" and "Precious"
Mat thinks agreeing to help Aludra make lots of cannons is not fateful. Lol. Sure.
Giving Tuon the horse was also fateful as it was another step towards marrying her. Egeanin (oops, Leilwin) explains later that he has done exactly what High Blood/Royal Family do in gift-giving between lovers.
Rand must "kneel to the Crystal Throne before Tarmon Gai'don". Well, yes, he literally kneels in front of Tuon asking her to agree to fight with his forces in the Last Battle.
So now Mat is going to be forever paranoid that the Snakes and Foxes can see everything he is doing. Meh, they already know the future to be able to answer questions, so whatever.
The Travelling People are off to live in Seanchan lands. Because it's more peaceful and safe there, they have heard.
Previously - Mat gave Tuon a horse.
The Aes Sedai are teaching the sul'dam after Bethamin chanelled.
Apparently the Aes Sedai with Mat don't yet know who Tuon really is. Seems odd.
Teslyn likes Mat more than Joline does. Joline is the one he gives blue-muffins to.
I like Tuon's explanation about why it doesn’t matter that sul'dam can channel. Because "they choose not to", but damane cannot help it, therefore they must be collared.
There's a strange bit where Selucia looks really scared and approaches Mat after Tuon sees a weave have no effect on him, and he is about to undo the collars. She begs him not to do it. Tuon stops her doing whatever she was doing, and she suddenly is no longer afraid.
Selucia is secretly Tuon's bodyguard, and trained in fighting/killing. The penalty for freeing damane should be death. She was actually preparing to kill him on the spot - maybe the fear was fake, or maybe because she didn't want to do it, but her duty comes first. Only Tuon stopping her saved Mat lol.
Previously - the Aes Sedai annoyed Tuon constantly after finding out who she was. So she collared them. But Mat defused the situation.
Ghosts.
Thom is carrying Moiraine's letter around, reading it often.
Akein - Tuon's new horse from Mat.
Mat, Thom and Rand saw the Tower of Ghenjei in book 1 while fleeing from Shadar Logoth and Trollocs on Domon's boat.
Mat thinks the snakes and foxes can see through his eyes, or gather his memories as he has them. Or something.
Mat thinks the snakes and foxes must surely be connected to the Dark One. Nah, they're just weird.
I have a feeling that the crown that Thom wins in the bet with Mat (to remind me that the luckiest man in the world can lose) comes back in the story later. But maybe I'm imagining things.
What do the Sea Folk when they're out of sight of land? They all go around topless lol
Mat says he got "two gifts from the Eelfinn". Not true - he asked for three things and got three gifts. He only realises there were 3 requests granted by 3 things just in time to escape them the second time!
Previously - Ghost village.
The show is travelling north-east from Ebou Dar towards Lugard.
There have been stories of a person who looks just like Tuon extorting merchants in Ebou Dar.
Semirhage killed the Seanchan royal family and wants Suroth to be Empress. To do so, Tuon must be found and killed.
Gholam is still following Mat because Sammael gave it the order to kill him, and gholam is made to obey orders until it succeeds. And no others with appropriate authority (Forsaken) have overridden those orders. The other forsaken might not even know Sammael had a gholam.
The Seanchan on the border up ahead are looking for "an imposter Tuon" - they were set up by Suroth, hoping to find the real Tuon and have her killed for being an imposter. As most Seanchan normal people wouldn't have seen Tuon in real life to know if she is real or imposter.
Thom's comment about "seeing things, but forgetting what he saw" is to do with Selucia secretly being Tuon's bodyguard. Until now, everyone just assumes she is a maid/servant, but Thom would have seen her killing men as a trained fighter, and worked out her secret role. But he will keep the secret.
In case you were lost at the end, the man Mat recognised was the guy who got up and left the dice game earlier in the chapter, and is a reputable merchant in town. But obviously also a darkfriend who recognised Mat as someone to look out for and kill.
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido. Perrin is working with a Seanchan army to help take down the Shaido.
Tylee Khirgan and Mishima - leaders of the Seanchan with Perrin.
Galina (using the name "Alyse") was temporarily kidnapped by Perrin's people, and questioned about Faile and friends.
Aram is spending time with the Prophet.
Perrin heard that "Wolf King" is mentioned in the Seanchan prophecies of the Last Battle.
The Seanchan have set up checkpoints along main roads where they feed all women forkroot and collar any that are affected by it. One of these checkpoints is the reason Mat plans to leave Luca's show and go their own way.
The Seanchan want to see trollocs one day. They will. Most Seanchan don't believe they even exist.
Perrin sees "Mat riding off a road into a forest" - he is leaving the show with all his people. They are going to find another way past the border, rather than by the main road where the Seanchan await (looking for marath'damane and fake-Tuon)
When they ask for raken, Faloun says that "everything has been stripped to the bone becasue of…" - because they are gathering many raken and fliers for the attack on Tar Valon.
The people attacking them at the end were just Darkfriends. Earlier this book, Mordin ordered all forsaken to leave Rand alive but find Mat and Perrin, so there is renewed orders among darkies to kill them. Hence some more attempts in the last few chapters.
Previously - Caemlyn is surrounded by armies following Arymilla, trying to claim the throne.
Elayne is pregnant. Also, here are her people again.
The main Sea Folk windfinders had to leave, but Elayne made a bargain with them to keep some to help with making gateways to keep the city supplied during the seige.
Elayne has quite a few hired mercenaries fighting on her side, because there are not enough Andoran soldiers and Queen's Guards to properly defend the city.
They have not seen Mat, Thom, etc since the day they ran off to the use the Bowl and the Seanchan arrived in Ebou Dar.
The weird clouds and storm are just more random Dark One happenings.
Guybon. Brings Elayne a bunch of former Queen's Guardsmen, and others that he gathered. There was some theories that this guy was Demo in disguise when he first showed up.
Previously - Elayne and Birgitte oversaw the latest attempt by Arymilla's soldiers to get into the city.
Vandene is looking after the two Kinswomen who admitted to being runaways from the Tower years ago. So both are now novices again.
Merilille was being forced to be the Windfinders teacher (under the Bowl bargain). Talaan was a Windfinder apprentice who wanted to go to the White Tower. So they both ran off.
Renaile - Windfinder to the former Mistress of Ships who was killed in Ebou Dar. As her boss is now dead, she no longer holds an important position, so has stayed with the Windfinders in Caemlyn rather than go to the meeting to choose a new Boss of Ships.
Silver Swan - inn in Caemlyn where Aes Sedai are staying. They are neutral Sedai staying out of the conflict of the Tower split, and are likely followers of Cadsuane.
No noteds
Previously - Elayne is wet and cranky. There are some mercenaries come to see her.
Elayne and co gathered many objects of the power from the storeroom where they found the bowl.
At the start, Elayne keeps getting lost. It is not just her, this is the first instance of the Dark One's influence where things start re-arranging themselves. Rooms, buildings, and Perrin even finds a whole abandonded village relocated later on.
The dagger that "hides you from the Shadow" is used by Rand in the final book to scope out Shayol Ghul before he goes to the last battle.
The ter'angreal that is for "growing something" and is "something to do with holes" and requires singing rather than chanelling: this is very likely to be a "talisman of growing" which Ogier used many generations ago to create and grow new branches of The Ways.
Robert Jordan self-cameo again, as the books ter'angreal.
Rand is sending the Aiel away, but Dorindha will not say where. Rand is sending them to Arad Doman (Itsy's home country) to try to restore order there, and grab him another nation to follow him.
Previously - there are still mercenaries waiting to see Elayne.
Elayne has been out talking to minor houses, gathering whatever soldiers they can provide to support her. Most of them are not really soldiers, just old men or boys.
Former Queen's Guardsman, Guybon, gathered a bunch of men who were put out by Rahvin, and has returned with them to support Elayne.
Elayne are co are a bit suspicious of Mellar (as they should be), and are keeping an eye on him.
Jon Skellit - was spying for Arymilla, but caught out, so Elayne got him to turn to her side and spy on Arymilla instead.
Elenia and Naean - two nobles who were freed by Arymilla in exchange for their support for her.
Interesting that the Mercenary Captain who knew Mellar didn't mention that he knew him by another name. Maybe "Mellar" is a name he has used often in the past. Or maybe he was just being discreet, and didn't want to be questioned too much.
Previously - Dyelin is back. Apparently she was out trying to find and speak to some nobles that they think will support Elayne (but I don't think we ever heard that she had gone to do that)
The nobles she went to see were the ones that were in Egwene's way, and she met with them just before she decided to Travel straight to Tar Valon.
Guybon - former guardsman who gathered others that had been put out by Rahvin, and returned to support Elayne.
Goshien - the Aiel Clan that were in Caemlyn looking after the city for Rand when he left. Elayne put them out when she arrived, preferring to organise things herself. They were hanging out with Bashere just near the city. Now Rand has sent them off somewhere else (Arad Doman).
Some of the main nobles staying with Elayne are the kiddies.
Reanne Corly - leader of the Kinswomen in the palace.
Some of the kinswomen in the palace have been leaving recently. Not much has been made of it before - but it will be in this chapter.
Catalyn summed up all the discussion of nobles nicely in this chapter "It's six, six, and six" - six major houses supporting Arymilla, six supporting Elayne, and six unknown (but most of these are ones that they believe will support Elayne eventually)
Whoever murdered Adeleas is also responsible for the Kin murders.
Birgitte wonders what would happen if you woke up in a room with no way out. This happens to Nynaeve in a later book - she just Travels out. But if it happened to a non-channeler, lol.
Arymilla - claimant for the throne, leads the army outside Caemlyn
Elenia, Naean - freed by Arymilla to gain their support. Now basically her prisoners lol
Nasin - dirty old man noble, who is also mostly insane lol
Aemlyn, Arathelle, Pelivar - three main nobles who have still not decided who to support
Previously - some mercenaries came to Elayne asking for more money. She declined.
It sounds like Arymilla has got some mercenaries inside the city to turn to her side (for a large amount of money) and let her army in.
Rand and co are hiding out at the manor house of Lord Algarin east of Tear somewhere.
Bashere (and his men), Logain (and some of his Ashies, and their bonded Sedai), Loial, and a bunch of Cadusane's sedai from Cairhien arrived recently.
Rand has arranged a meeting with the Seanchan. They want him to meet with the Daughter of the Nine Moons.
Previously - Mat got into a fight in a town and decided it was time to leave Luca's show.
Perrin is working with Seanchan to fight against the Shaido.
At the Black Tower, Taim put the names of the Ashies hanging out with Rand on the "deserters list" (deserters are to be killed).
This is the first time Rand realises who the weird face in his head is. Not Lews, but the dude he crossed balefire with in Shadar Logoth. But he doesn't know that man is Ishy reincarnated.
Rand mentions that Ishy and Lanfear "knew how to find ta'veren by their effect on the pattern". This seems like something that should be really important, and should be used often by the forsaken. But it's really just a clue to a single event that happens soon.
Logain says some of the Ashies are now in Arad Doman. Rand also sent Aiel there. It is the next place he is going to conquer - this time by helping the nation out, rather than fighting to conquer.
The King of Arad Doman is missing. Hence the nation is in a bit of chaos, hence Rand's chance to move in and save the day.
"Well, I believe I have done all that I can here" - she literally means that. Next thing we hear, she has gone lol
"A terrible storm is coming". Maybe not the last battle, a large battle is coming more imminenetly than that…
Previously - Elder Haman and Loial's mother have arrived.
The Great Stump is discussing "The Book of Translation". This is never explained properly, only that Ogier are originally from some other world, and are discussing returning there. This fact is not known by anyone other than the Ogier themselves.
Previously - At a forsaken meeting, Moridin mentioned that someone had been posing as Sammael and sending thousands of Trollocs into the Ways. They have now arrived at the manor house Rand is staying at.
Shadowspawn (e.g. trollocs and myrddraal) cannot go through Travelling gateways. They die if they do.
3000 years ago - Lews Therin killed himself by drawing waaaaaay more power than he safely could, and made a mountain by his death.
Do you notice the names of all the Trolloc societies - Ghraem'lan, Dhai'mon, Dha'vol, Ghar'ghael, etc - all sound like evil creature names (Gremlin, Demon, Devil, Gargoyle)
Previously - Lots of trollocs attacked Rand. We know they were sent by someone pretending to be Sammael (from a Forsaken meeting, Moridin said this). We know that "Lanfear and Ishamael know a trick" to find ta'veren, according to Rand a couple of chapters ago. So we can assume Lanfear (Cyndane) sent them.
Min has several times had a viewing of Logain having great glory in his future.
Loial wants to speak at the Great Stump, to convince the Ogier to stay and help fight in the Last Battle.
Waaaay back in book 1 - when our heroes were going through the Ways, they found the Waygate at Fal Dara without a key (leaf), so Moiraine had to cut it open with the One Power.
Verin has buggered off. She is heading back to Tar Valon, but will get sidetracked on her way there, and have an amusing story to tell lol
Bashere has met with Suroth, and organised the meeting with the Seanchan. Rand is to meet the Daughter of the Nine Moons. But Suroth doesn't know where Tuon is. The location of the meeting (Northern Altara) is supposed to be very mysterious to the reader, because that is actually where Tuon and Mat are.
But this is just coincidence, Suroth still really doesn’t know where Tuon is.
"Altara just crowned a new King" - after Tylin was ripped up under her bed. The new king is Beslan, her son.
Lan and Nynaeve were married under Sea Folk rules. Whoever commands in public (Nynaeve), the other commands in private.
The Aes Sedai that Logain and friends have bonded were the ones sent by Elaida to bring down the Black Tower.
Tarwin's Gap - gap in the mountains that border the blight. A common place for Trolloc raids to come from the blight into Shienar. In the very north-east corner of the map.
Aldragoran will be one of the people who joins Lan early in his journey, when he is still trying to be discrete and stop people joining him.
Previously - a bunch of nobles were rebelling against Rand. The leader of the Tear rebels was High Lord Darlin.
After visiting the rebels (where the fog came, and Fain attacked Rand), and after Cadsuane had some influence on them, Rand made Darlin the leader of Tear on his behalf ("Steward of the Dragon Reborn in Tear")
Now, all the other rebels are against Darlin, because he is working for Rand. They have beseiged the Stone of Tear, with Darlin and co inside.
Rand sent Alanna and some other Sedai to negotiate and settle the situation.
Loial is to go to speak at the Stump.
Lan is on a journey across the Borderlands, after Nynaeve pulled a sneaky move on him.
After the battle with the Seanchan (where Callandor went crazy), Rand left most of his army in Illian to defend in case the Seanchan came that way again. Weiramon is one of the leaders of that group.
The person talking about silk is probably from Shara - that's where silk comes from. But a Seanchan person seems to know about silk also, so they must make it there as well.
Rand says that Narishma is occupied today. We will see him very soon where Rand sent him
More people going to Arad Doman. Rand has already send some Aiel and some Asha'man there.
Previously - Sea Folk
Harine and Shalon were with Rand and Cadsuane. Harine is a Clan Wavemistress, and Shalon her windfinder (and sister)
Zaida - Another Clan Wavemistress. Was in Caemlyn trying to meet with Rand, then joined with Elayne's mob when they arrived. Made a bargain with Elayne to leave some windfinders there to help her.
The previous Mistress of Ships (Sea Folk BOSS) was beheaded by the Seanchan in Ebou Dar. Mat helped free the Sea Folk windfinders collared there, and there was much One Power battle as they attempted to flee.
All Clan Wavemistresses had a meeting in Illian to elect to a new BOSS. Zaida was chosen (but we haven't heard that yet).
Min had a viewing that Harine will one day be BOSS.
Caire - mother of the apprentice windfinder Talaan, who was in Caemlyn, but wanted to go to the White Tower, so her and Merilille ran off together.
When Rand and Nynaeve cleansed saidin, the use of the super-female-angreal made the giant statue's crystal sphere glow, seen by the people who live on the Sea Folk islands (the Amayar - peaceful people, like tinkers, but very rarely ever leave their islands).
The Amayar had a prophecy about "the end of Illusion" and that statue/crystal sphere
In other news - Rand is sending peeps to Arad Doman.
No noteds here
Sharina - old grandma novice in the rebel Sedai camp. Has taken to being the organiser of novices.
Anaiya and Kairen - Aes Sedai murdered in the camp. It is known it was done with saidin.
Nisao was ordered by Egwene to investigate.
Siuan and Leane continue to pretend to hate each other, while secretly working together. (Although Leane is now captured in the White Tower, along with Egwene)
The rebel Hall of the Tower often meet in telrod, now that Eggy is captured.
Cabriana - Aes Sedai tortured and killed by Semirhage, and who Halima/Aran'gar/Shim claims to have previously worked for.
Eben Hopwil - Asha'man that was killed by Aran'gar during the battle at Shadar Logoth when cleansing saidin was going on.
The rebels want to make a deal with the Black Tower so they can work with men to make bigger Circles to fight any future attacks by the Forsaken (feeling the channelling at the cleansing scared them into this in the first place).
Maths - Logain and his followers bonded 51 Aes Sedai that were sent by Elaida to take care of the Black Tower.
Several of Cadsuane's follwer Sedai bonded Rand's loyal Asha'man as warders (5 ashies in total, minus Eben who died)
ORLY long chapter alert. Not counting prologues, this is the 3rd longest chapter in all the books. First is super-last-battle-chapter, and 2nd was a chapter in book 4.
Previously - Egwene is prisoner/novice in the Tower, and trying to undermine Elaida from within.
She is trying to "embrace the pain" like an Aiel whenever she is spanked.
When she left the Wise Ones to go to Salidar, they also spanked her as toh for lying to them about being full Sedai.
The Sedai in the Tower don't really believe that Leane is Leane.
Aliviarin is fired as Keeper, and Elaida has her doing pennances.
Back in book 5, Alviarin wrote a letter to Rand, secretly offering her allegience. Fake, obvi.
Nicola - little chit novice who tried blackmailing people so she could learn faster, then ran to the Tower when no one among the rebels would help her.
Beonin - one of the original Salidar founders/leaders, and one who swore to Egwene. She is actually a spy for Elaida, and recently returned to the Tower to report.
Shemerin - Sedai that Elaida reduced to Accepted for being a sookie la la
King Mattin Stepaneos of Illian vanished the day before Rand invaded. He was kidnapped by Sedai "for his own safety" and is now in the Tower.
Alviarin is indeed "being shunned by her own ajah" for the SHAME of being dumped as Keeper.
Egwene and Leane think that because Sedai are still asking them both to show them how to Travel, it means Beonin has not betrayed everything - but she did actually show Elaida. Just that Elaida hasn't passed it on to everyone (only a few that it is useful for her plans)
Same with the new improved way of Healing (but I think Elaida just wasn't interested in learning that)
The stage is set for Eggy's great adventures in the next book!
Tarna - Elaida's new Keeper now she kicked Alviarin out.
Pevara and other Reds in the Tower are pondering the idea of bonding Asha'man, as it is Red's job to deal with male chanellers.
Meidani - one of the ferrets. She was found out by the Black Ajah hunters, who sent her to spy on Elaida for them, to see if she is Blacky. Elaida knows Meidani is being suspicious, but thinks she is spying for the rebels, not for the Black Hunters.
Elaida goes on about the Seals. She would have no idea where ANY of them are. She might know from questioning Siuan when she was deposed that several are broken. But that's all.
Elaida mentions that the "rebellion in Tarabon failed". I assume she is talking about Itsy's attacks on the Seanchan. He has not failed, though, obvi.
Previously - Mat and his crew left Luca's show. They are now in a location somewhere in Altara, but near the border with Murandy. They must be very close to where Egwene's rebel Sedai army passed by several books ago as they headed north to Tar Valon.
They were forced to leave after a reputable merchant in town (but a darkfriend) attacked Mat etc in the streets, and obvi was killed along with his goons.
Bethamin is being taught by the Sedai because she started channelling on her own.
The Band of the Red Hand left following Egwene to stay in Murandy and work for the King for a bit.
No noteds here.
Previously - Mat is to reunite with the Band
Before arriving this side of the ocean, Tuon got a foretelling from one of her damane about who she would marry. She had noted Mat matching several of the things foretold about her future husband.
No noteds here
What is with these chapters having two totally separate parts of the story in them. So annoying for noteds having to break them up all the time.
Anyway
Previously - Perrin is working with some Seanchan to fight the Shaido. They have obtained lots of forkroot.
Mishima
Alyse - the name Galina used when she was taken by Perrin's people and spoke to him about Faile.
Galad and his Whitecloaks are somewhere near where Perrin is also.
Faile finally got the Oath Rod for Galina, after one of her followers found an opportunity to grab it from Therava's tent.
Lots of people in Shaido captivity have been swearing to Faile so she will help rescue them when she gets away.
That rippling thing that Perrin felt happened with Faile lots of chapters ago. It's a bit annoying having the timeline of different storylines so out-of-sync.
Previously - a meeting has been arranged between Rand and the Daughter of the Nine Moons.
The meeting place is in Altara somewhere, and is probably quite close to where Mat and friends currently are.
One of Cadsuane's hair ornament ter'angreal is a thing that can disrupt weaves nearby. Kind of like Mat's medallion, except it works at a distance, and I don't think it stops them completely, just interrupts them.
Interesting that the Seanchan were able to copy the black a'dam when they got their hands on it. Elayne is super-special in this part of the world for knowing how to make ter'angreal etc. But the Seanchan must have some peeps who can do it.
Previously - Mat needs to get past a Seanchan force that are blocking his way through the mountains (through Molvaine Gap) to get out of Altara.
The band have some new device that lets them reload and fire crossbows much faster than by hand.
Seta and Bethamin, the former sul'dam, are being taught chanelling by the Sedai.
Tuon, after seeing Mat outside of Ebou Dar, thought of him as a "lion on a hill"
So Mat's plan is to attack Seanchan forces over and over again, eventually drawing out the main force guarding the road through the mountains to help, so he can sneak through. Here is a map of what he's up to.
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido.
They got the Oath Rod for Galina, and are now preparing for her to take them to freedom. Lul.
Lots of people in Shaido captivity have been swearing to Faile so she will come back and help them after she gets away.
When Galina was taken by Perrin's people and questioned, he told her to pass this message on to Faile: "When she sees fog on the ridges and hears wolves howl by daylight, she is to go to Lady Cairen's fortress in town"
No noteds here. I'm getting lazy lol
Previously - Faile and some others were taken by the Shaido.
Here are Perrin's peeps again
Perrin expects Faile and the others to be at the Fortress in town, because "Alyse" (Galina) would have given her that message. He sent some of his people down the aquaduct into the town, after they filled the water supply with forkroot.
Haviar and Nerion - Berleain's men who are spying on Masema
Tylee Khirgan and Mishima - leaders of the Seanchan with Perrin.
There are two more groups of Shaido coming to join the main mob.
Aram was impressed by the Prophet when they first met, and has been hanging out with him.
WoooooHooooooo! Perrin rescuing Faile story is done!
That's all I've got. It's such a relief lol
Previously - Kinswomen have been killed in the palace. Including Reane Corly, their head honcho.
They know one of the Sedai that travelled with them from Ebou Dar is the blacky who killed Adeleas and the Kin.
Ronde Macura - the woman who discovered forkroot and tried to capture the girls in book 5 to get them back to the Tower. Next we heard of her, the girls found a note about her in Elaida's notes in telrod saying that she was to be punished for her failure.
Samwil Hark - hired by Elayne to follow Captain Mellar to see what he is up to, after several other people who killed while trying unsuccessfully to spy on him.
Elayne put a weave on him to track where he was so he didn't run off.
Yes, Careane was the Blacky. After all that time, we finally find out which of the several minor irrelevant Sedai is the Blacky lol
Still not many noteds. I'm just putting everything in blue these days, it seems.
Previously - the Sedai went into the face the Blackies, and now most of them are dead and Elayne is captured.
The Warders are still waiting outside…
In other news:
Ellorien, Luan, Abelle, Aemlyn, Arathelle and Pelivar - the 6 nobles Elayne hopes will join her, but they're still just hanging out with their little armies, out of the way.
When the Windfinders had to leave, Elayne made a deal to keep some of them in Caemlyn to help make gateways to keep the city supplied.
Some mercenaries asked Elayne for more money, and she denied them. Then some mercenaries agreed to help Arymilla by turning against Elayne from inside Caemlyn.
Guess what. No noteds. I don't know what's going on now.
Previously - Elayne was captured by Blackies. Birgitte led the rescue.
The city is still under much attack, as some mercenaries were paid to turn against Elayne and compromise one of the city gates.
"I'll learn whether I have to win another" - Elayne still needs to secure one more house's support. There are 6 of them on the march to Caemlyn, and she doesn't know whether they will declare for her, or make their own claim against her.
Previously - Furyk-ing hell, Tuon has gone missing.
So he took a small party out to search for her.
Furyk (Karede) has been heading at least in the right direction, and in this chapter he is in the vicinity of where Mat is.
Before he left, he heard a conspiracy theory from a Seeker who has "figured out" that Thom is the mastermind, and he was sent by the White Tower, and that Suroth was working with the White Tower to arrange it all.
Mat and the Band are on the Seanchan in numerous battles, trying to draw their main army away from the main road, so they can sneak out of Altara.
Tales of a "Fake Tuon" have been spreading, and by now, there is a reward for whoever can find and kill her. This was set in motion by Suroth and Semirhage, hoping that someone will find and kill the real Tuon.
They think that Mat's army is way bigger than it is, I think mostly because of how quickly they can reload crossbows with their special contraptions. Makes other people think there are many more crossbowmen than there are.
And the "explosions that are not saidar" are from Aludra making exploding things - even though they don't have cannons yet.
The "don't leave their dead behind" thing is a bit odd. We hear later that Mat does bury his dead. Maybe the Seanchan don't do that. Or maybe it's just that Mat has so many less casualties than they expect, that they don't think he could possibly have them all buried.
At least they did get one thing right - the army IS trying to get out of Altara through the Malvide Narrows - so they are trying to bring in backup to stop that happening.
Previously - Elayne has won the battle at Caemlyn, but needs more support for the throne.
The last six houses are coming to Caemlyn, but no one knows their intentions yet. They have previously said they want Dyelin to be Queen.
Jarid - husband of Elenia (one of the nobles who is now Elayne's prisoner) who might still cause trouble trying to rescue his wife.
Except for the 3 main ones, those who were helping with the seige of Caemlyn have now declared for Elayne.
Elayne also has Blackies, and darkfriends Lady Shiane and Mellar (real name Daved Hanlon) in prison.
The Borderland army looking for Rand are still in Andor somewhere.
Yay!! Another boring storyline comes to an end!!
Furyk Karede is on the trail of Tuon.
Before he left Ebou Dar, he heard a conspiracy theory from a Seeker who has "figured out" that Thom is the mastermind, and he was sent by the White Tower, and that Suroth was working with the White Tower to arrange it all.
He has recently heard of the "really big" army (really just Mat's men) attacking Seanchan all over the place.
They know Mat wants to get through the Malvide Narrows out of Altara.
There is a reward for anyone who finds and kills a "fake Tuon", but this is really Suroth trying to get people to find and kill real Tuon.
"That is the wording you used is it not?" Tuon asks as she says it the third time. "Your bloody Daughter of the Nine Moons is my wife!" was what Mat said the third time lol
"I have removed the veil" - Tuon is no longer to be knows as just a High Lady, she is taking on her role as daughter of the Empress. Or, possibly the true Empress, now that the old one is dead (but she doesn't know that yet)
Previously - Furyk and his Deathwatch Guards found Tuon. Some of them are escorting her back to Ebou Dar, while Mat is taking some others to take care of the people who are trying to kill Tuon.
Those people have been gathered by some Seanchan who are offering a huge reward for her death.
Sheraine - real name of the Aes Sedai who is now Tuon's damane Mylen.
So before this chapter we didn't really know that it was just a small number of Seanchan (maybe only one) who were behind the gatherings of men trying to kill Tuon.
Previously - one "traitor" was responsible for whipping up the mobs trying to kill Tuon.
Semirhage killed the Seanchan royal family and wants Suroth to be Empress.
Galgan - leader of "The Return". The mass immigration of Seanchan people to this side of the ocean.
Suroth is leader of the "Forerunners", the ones that came first to invade and conquer.
Tylee - Leader of the Seanchan that worked with Perrin against the Shaido.
Ituralde is fighting the Seanchan in Arad Doman and Almoth Plain.
We get an update on Ituralde's battle. His plan was to raid into Almoth Plain, then return to Arad Doman with the Seanchan giving chase, where he would lead them into "a trap". It seems his trap was to have a hidden army in the mountains somewhere to come out behind the Seanchan chasing him and trap them between.
Previously - Some Red ajah in the Tower met to discuss the possibility of bonding asha'man to keep control of them.
Pevara was one of these. Previously she was one of the Black Ajah hunters, and later she will be Androl's buddy.
They use a gateway to get to the Black Tower. Tarna (the Keeper) must have been taught that by Elaida (who got it from the rebel traitor Beonin). She wouldn't have given out the info to just anyone.
Let the Lord of Chaos rule. GG.
That's the end of Robert Jordan's books. Now for Brandon.