Third Place - Most Plausible
Mat has been taken prisoner by the Seanchan. Elayne and Birgitte wants to try rescue him. (Elayne has toh to meet) Nynaeve takes the Kin to the farm, and makes arrangements for fleeing further north if necessary. They try the Bowl of the Winds with some success, although the Bowl is somewhat hard to control.
Rand consolidates his position in Illian. Stepaneos remains out of sight. He sends envoys to Altara and Murandy, in order to ask/intimidate/negotiate the nobles into joining Rand. Rand also sends envoys to Toram, Caraline and Darlin, asking for negotiations.
Then Rand goes to Caemlyn. He is very surprised to find Regent Dyelin mobilizing in order to meet invasion from the SAS. Rand breaks in before conflict emerges, and get's an even bigger surprise: Egwene has become 'Mother'. {g} After the initial surprise, Rand and Egwene starts negotiating.
Egwene wishes that Rand finances her campaign against Elaida, that they are allowed to travel unhindered through Andor, that Rand recognizes her as the only true Amyrlin, and denounces Elaida, and that Rand let's Mat's Band participate in the campaign. Rand's demands is to be publicly recognized by the SAS, that the SAS Heals his burned out Asha'man, and that Elayne comes tho take the thrones of Andor and Cairhien.
The last two demands is difficult for Egwene to meet. Elayne is not there, and is currently involved in a very important mission. And Healing AM would give Egwene hell in the Hall. Egwene's wishes are not hard for Rand to meet, but he is reluctant, as long as Egwene doesn't grant him his demands. The negotiations goes badly, but they agree to carry on later. As Rand prepares to leave, he notices someone channeling saidin in the camp. He decides to put AM agents into the SAS camp. These undercover agents joins the SAS as
soldiers, servants, craftsmen and the like.
Halima discovers the agents, and starts whacking them one by one. Nicola, who doesn't know what he is, falls in love with one of them, and jealously follows him and Halima to the nearby woods. Only Halima returns, and Nicola finds the AM agent dead. She does not tell anyone about what she has seen.
Egwene's headaches are getting worse and more frequent, and the negotiations goes badly. Halima is seen more and more often by Egwene's tent. The last agent, fearing for his life, goes to Egwene and reveals himself as Rand's agent. Egwene becomes very upset by Rand, and gives him a severe lashing of her tongue. The negotiation climate drops below zero, but Rand agrees to keep Egwene with money, if she keeps his agent with her. Egwene's headaches ceases, something that doesn't elude her.
Mat is being put to rather rough questions. The Seanchan spy from aCoS has recognized Mat, and has informed his superiors that Mat knows about the Daughter of the Nine Moons, and thus must be a spy. Since he clearly is no Seanchan, he must be a spy, and the Seanchan is most interested in getting to know what Mat knows. Mat, knowing nothing, isn't able to give them any satisfying answers.
In all secrecy, Tuon, the Dot9M, arrives in Ebou Dar, on a mission from the Empress herself. The Empress doesn't trust Suroth, and want's Tuon to check the conditions. She is undercover, going for an officer. The commander of the Ebou Dari invasion column doesn't recognize her. Tuon hears about Mat, and visits his cell. Mat, still dazed after several 'friendly chats', has figured out that Dot9M must be some Seanchan noble. Seeing Tuon, and her rather un-noble like hair cut, he decides that _she_, at least, cannot be Dot9M. She is a woman, though, and Mat turns on the charm. And Tuon, of course, falls head over heels. Without knowing who he is talking to, Mat mentions to her what the title Dot9M means for Mat - marriage. When Elayne & co comes for the daring rescue, Tuon makes no move to stop his escape. She reveals herself to Mat as the Dot9M, and says to him that he can go where he
likes...he'll still come back to her! Mat promptly chews off half his tongue and swallows it, before running away from there as fast as his feet can take him.
Meanwhile, Perrin is on his way to Jehannah. He is very disturbed over the chaos and destruction Masema has inflicted on Ghealdan. His mood is, of course, not improved by Failes and Berelain's animosity. Queen Alliandre meets him outside the capital, and warns him about Masema. She tells him that Masema's hordes has been driven back by the more disciplined Whitecloak army, and that Masema is behaving more and more irrational.
The WC army is pressing north. There is also unconfirmed rumors about hordes of Aiel plundering and killing in Ghealdan. Masema has sent out parts of his horde, ordering to crush these Aiel. They have not returned...
Perrins meeting with Masema does not go well. Although Perrin is a friend of the Dragon Reborn, and therefore a man of great importance, Masema also notes the presence of Aiel and Aes Sedai, and becomes very suspicious. He claims that Perrin must be the AS' puppet, and says that he must be taken prisoner 'for his own good'. Perrin does not want to start a blood bath, and manages (barely) to escape Jehannah. Both parties gets other things to think on, as the WC army closes in on Jehannah.
Perrin encounters Morgase's party, and Sebban Balwer does not hesitate in approaching him. Balwer tells Perrin about Morgase, the Seanchan invasion and Niall's death. The news of the Seanchan invasion makes Perrin see that he needs more manpower. He sends Fager Neald to Caemlyn to report. He also convinces Morgase to follow with the AM.
Toveine's AS army reaches the Black Tower, and immediately attacks. They take the AM with their breeches down, but the tide turns fast, and the AS are taken prisoner. Some of the AS and the AM have been killed in the fighting. Taim makes arrangements for mass execution in order to 'set an example'. Rand get's there just in time to prevent the execution and orders the prisoners handed over to the Wise Ones. He ignores Taim's protests about Rand being too
soft on the AS, but he does notice (and worry about) the reactions of the Asha'man - they are clearly not content with Rand's decision.
In the White Tower, Alviarin has assembled the heads of the different Ajahs - except from the Red. She accuses Elaida for treacherous ineptitude, and refers to Dumai's Wells and the failed attack on the Black Tower. She convinces them that Elaida has to be removed.
Pevara and Seaine's search for BA has been fruitful...they now have enough evidence to show
that Alviarin is BA. Before they can hand the evidence over to Elaida, they find out that
she's been removed from the Seat, and stilled. Alviarin has become the new Amyrlin in a
secret voting in the Hall. The Red Ajah is stunned by the loss of it's leader Galina, and
the many sisters missing from the attacks on Rand. They turn their backs on Elaida...
Pevara and Seaine sneaks down to Elaida's cell, and find a rather depressed ex-Amyrlin.
When they tell Elaida about Alviarin, Elaida issues her last orders; Bring the proof and
the Foretelling about the importance of the Royal line of Andor to Egwene al'Vere.
But first; bring Elaida a little flask that can be found in her old quarters...
Before they leave, Elaida says: "I will not end as Alviarin's chamber maid."
After bringing Elaida the flask, Seaine and Pevara flees Tar Valon together with Gawyn,
intent on finding Egwene al'Vere.
Alviarin sends out envoys to Rand, asking for negotiations. Rand has finally met one of
Egwene's demands - financing her war train. He's pondering removing Elaida himself, when
he get's the message from Alviarin. Tired of his quarrels with Egwene, he shows her the
letter from Alviarin, and threatens to go to her instead. He also threatens to start
negotiating with the SAS Hall instead of Egwene.
Egwene gives in. She says that the AM can be Healed, if Rand accept that it must be held
secret. One of Egwene's oathbound, Nisao, will do the Healing. When it comes to Rand's
demand about Elayne, he has to be content with a promise that Elayne will return as soon as
Egwene gets hold of her. This gives Egwene some time. When visiting Elayne in T'A'R, Egwene
orders her back to the SAS camp. They do not notice Slayer watching them...
Rand then meets Egwene's demands, lets Egwene go through Andor with the Band, and gives her
official support, as well as denouncing Alviarin. The Andoran nobility makes problems,
though. Dyelin and a lot of other nobles refuse to accept Rand's orders on letting the SAS
through. They believe he is lying about Elayne, since she hasn't showed up with the SAS.
The situation get's heated, but before violence breaks out, help comes unexpectedly.
Neald arrives with Morgase and her crew. Rand is overjoyed. The fact that Morgase has
abdicated puts a damp on the good feelings, but Rand manages to convince her to rule Andor
in Elayne's stead, _and_ the nobility to accept her (by promising to leave Andor at once).
Rand makes immediate arrangements to move the Black Tower to Illian. Morgase isn't exactly
well received with the Andoran nobility, but tensions still calm down.
Balwer offers his Randland web of agents to Rand. Neald is sent back to Ghealdan with a
dozen AM, and 10 K worth of Aiel.
Demandred pops up in Andor, with orders for Elegar, a minor DF lord. We also get to see him
giving orders about Elayne Trakand to Slayer.
Ghealdan: Sevanna and her army of WO's and Shaido warriors, are plundering the country for
all it's worth. The loot is meager, though; almost everything has been stolen already.
Sevanna fumes at 'Caddar's betrayal. She is really pissed off when Caddar gives a visit.
She is also really surprised when he reveals himself as Sammael. One of Sevanna's WO's
tries to kill him. Sammael kills her first, in a rather gruesome fashion. Sevanna isn't
impressed. It's much worse when Sammael tells her that one of the WO's in Sevanna's 'circle'
is a Darkfriend - who will reveal Sevannas killing of a fellow WO if Sammael snaps the
finger.
Sevanna accepts that she's outmaneuvered for the time being, and takes Sammael's orders:
kill or capture Perrin Aybara. Sevanna is secretly planning for a way out of the cleft
stick. She has finally 'convinced' Galina that swearing on the Oath Rod is a smart thing to
do. Making use of Galina's secret Talent for Compulsion, others will follow her example...
>From Arad Doman comes rumors that Rodel Ituralde has beaten the other factions, and
established law and order. The king still sits on the throne, and supposedly lends ear to an
old, frail lady. Tenobia is still missing in Saldaea. Agelmar Jagad has asked for a meeting
between the rulers in Kandor, Arafel and Shienar; to discuss the possible support of Rand.
Rand get's grave news from the envoys he sent to Altara. Knowing that Elayne and Aviendha
are in Ebou Dar, Rand prepares a little Blitzkrieg on the capital. Elayne and the rest is
long gone from Ebou Dar, though, and have joined Nynaeve and the Kin in the north of
Altara.
The SAS has now gotten out of Andor. Egwene bumps into Elyas, who decides to follow with
them. He clearly doesn't like being around AS, but seems to have taken some interest in
Egwene. Elayne hears about Morgase being alive, and happily goes to Caemlyn, taking Mat,
Aviendha and Birgitte with her. She makes a gateway outside Caemlyn, where she meets a
certain Lord Luc. Luc abducts Elayne. Nynaeve and the rest are catching up with Egwene's
SAS.
Ellorien is attacked by a contingent of Queensguards. She manages to escape, furious about
the incident, which she believes have been staged by Morgase. She and a lot of other
powerful nobles declares war against Morgase.
Rand is preparing the attack on Ebou Dar, and ponders taking with him Callandor. He Travels
to the Heart of the Stone, only to find Logain staring at Callandor. After the first moments
of suspicion, Rand get's a great idea. Lately, the AM have been rather restive, and Rand
suspects Taim for undermining his position as head of the AM. It's been especially bad since
Dashiva went fruitcake - Rand had to kill him, and that fact made a lot of the AM worry.
Rand takes Logain with him to the new BT, and says that Logain should be the new 'teacher'
of the AM. Taim would be 'promoted'; his mission is to find the rest of the Forsaken's
whereabouts. Rand allows Taim a score of AM to his disposition in the hunt. Taim is very
discontent with this solution, and objects - to no avail. The rest of the AM gives Logain a
couple of queer looks, but says nothing. Taim leaves with his twenty AM.
Rand carries through the attack on Ebou Dar, and smashes the Seanchan host. The remainders
of the Seanchan in Altara are heading west (among them Dot9M). After a number of
interrogations, Rand finally is convinced that Elayne and Aviendha hasn't been captured by
the Seanchan, and that they are not in Ebou Dar at all.
Perrin's enlarged army has, for the time being, success. Masema has sort of an unspoken
non-agression pact with Perrin, and the WC army takes some heavy beating. Galad is captured.
The Seanchan are also pushing up from the south, and the WC's are in danger of being
grinded asunder between the other armies.
Berelain falls head over heels for Galad, but she has given Ogier's Oath on stealing Perrin
from Faile, and it appears Ogier's Oaths cannot be dispelled by other than the Oathgivers'
worst enemy. Thus, Berelain must go to Faile!!! Faile accepts Berelains plea, but only if
Berelain cuts off all her hair. "Let's see you work your charms on Galad...bald as an egg!"
Sevanna suddenly appears on the stage, and gives Perrin's army a good smack. Perrin suffers
heavy casualities, and draws back from Jehannah. Galad escapes in the process. The WC's
takes the opportunity to break through Masema's horde, and escapes north. Masema dies.
Perrin understands that he will be crushed between the Seanchan and Sevanna if he remains,
and resignedly pulls out of Ghealdan with the remainders of his army.
Rand has become most disturbed. Alanna is missing, and he can feel through the Warder bond
that she suffers torture. Semiraghe has been informed about the Bond between Alanna and Rand
, and has found a way to use it to her advantage. She has sent a letter to Rand, demanding
that he should give himself over to the Shadow, or else Alanna will die. Her ignorance about
the Warder bond's 'Global Positioning System' proves fatal for her, though.
Rand and Ihvon positions Semiraghes hideout in Saldaea quite accurately, with a little
clever use of Gateways. Rand bursts in on Semiraghe, starting the BF show. Semiraghe and
Rand then starts the usual 'hide and seek' game we've gotten so used to. Semiraghe uses her
Talent for inflicting pain on Rand, in order to beat him. But every time Rand breaks her
hold, just in time, teetering on the brink of destruction. Since Semiraghe is a woman,
he is reluctant to strike at her, though.
Only when Semiraghe changes tactics, and uses her powers in the opposite way - feeding
Rand pleasure instead of pain - she manages to get hold of him. Rand is incoherent and
helpless, and Semiraghe triumphs, when Ihvon does his hero thing, and firmly stabs Semiraghe
in the back. Semiraghe barely escapes after killing Ihvon, and is severly wounded. When Rand
gets back to Alanna, he finds out he is too late: Alanna didn't survive Semiraghe's
treatment. Broken by the Broken Bond Syndrome, Rand's swears by his hope of rebirth and
salvation that he shall never hesitate to strike at his enemies, be they male or female.
And that is where the book ends. Of course, all of this happens within a week.
We won't see the next week on this side of year 2000, I'm afraid...