The Eye of the World

The group, minus Mat who is still feeling unwell, meet Loial. While they talk and catch up, several protagonists realize they have heard the same unusual message from three completely different sources. There is a threat to the Eye of the World and the Dark One plans to stop time.

After hearing the message, Moiraine realizes they need to change their plans and head to the Eye of the World, a magical place in the Blight. However, their destination is far away and the only way to reach it quickly is through magical pathways, called the Ways. The Ogier built them and Loial can access and navigate them.

Loial tells the story of the Ways and how they have been corrupted by the Dark. They have become incredibly dangerous, especially because of the evil wind Machin Shin, which brings madness.

The group enters the Ways through a special gateway. The place is completely dark with a white stone road leading into the distance. The white path connects to other roads on small islands with guideposts giving directions in Ogier script.

For several days, the group keeps crossing from one island to the next; they come to a bridge that has been destroyed.

The group needs to take a different route to Fal Dara, the city nearest to where they need to go. They stop on one of the islands for the night but have trouble sleeping. Although Lan senses that someone is following them, they decide against confrontation.

At one crossing, the group finds Trolloc runes and dead monsters. Moiraine realizes that the Trollocs have found a way to use the Ways; that is how they can travel undetected in large numbers.

The travelers begin sensing a wind, the Machin Shin, and need to hurry to the exit. The gate, however, is locked permanently. Moiraine cuts through it with the One Power. One by one they are able to squeeze through just as the wind overtakes them. Machin Shin is made up of eerie voices talking about tearing flesh and screams.

The group comes out in Shienar, one of the Borderland states. The climate is extreme and everything around them looks desolate.

They reach the city of Fal Dara, where they are made welcome by the local nobles. Their hosts inform them that a strange person has been asking after them. It turns out to be the paddler, Padan Fain. He seems to be possessed and takes turns speaking in different voices.

While waiting for Moiraine to question Padan Fain, the group learns more of Lan’s story. He is the last descendent of the kings of Malkieri, a Borderlands kingdom that was overrun by the Dark One’s forces.

Moiraine returns and reveals Fain’s story. He has served the Dark One for a long time. It is Fain who brought Trollocs to the Two Rivers. He has been turned into a human hound with the sole purpose of finding the three young men. The compulsion to obey has driven him to pursue the group relentlessly all the way from Emond’s Field. The young people are shocked and upset at this revelation as they have known the peddler for a long time and have always welcomed his visits. Moiraine asks the Fal Dara lords to detain Fain.

The travelers go north into the Blight. The weather there is unnaturally warm. Trees and plants seem to be blooming, but the vegetation is tainted and rotting at closer inspection.

The group’s destination is the Eye of the World, a magical place, located somewhere beyond the Mountain of Dhoom. The group cannot reach it in one day, so they spend the night on a small hilltop.

After everyone is asleep, Rand overhears a conversation between Lan and Nynaeve. Nynaeve declares her feelings for the Warder in a convoluted way. Lan seems to reciprocate her attraction but believes there is no way for the two of them to be together, as he is sworn to fight against the Dark One and expects to die in the near future.

The following day, the group continues on their journey. Unnatural creatures of the Blight attack them. As they try to escape, they stumble into the Eye of the World, which manifests in times of need. It is a small pocket of healthy greenery amidst the Blight’s desolation. Its existence is made possible by the Green Man, “a man-shape of woven vines and leaves, green and growing. His hair was grass, flowing to his shoulders; his eyes, huge hazelnuts; his fingernails, acorns. Green leaves made his tunic and trousers; seamless bark, his boots. Butterflies swirled around him, lighting on his fingers, his shoulders, his face” (739-740).

The group goes inside a cave. There is a pool “[i]n the oval shape of an eye […] lined about its rim with a low, flat edging of crystals that glowed with a duller, yet fiercer, light than those above. Its surface was as smooth as glass and as clear as the Winespring Water” (745). Moiraine reveals that the liquid is not, in fact, water, but the distilled essence of saidin, untainted by the Dark One.

The group exits. Aginor and Balthamel, two of the Dark One’s most powerful followers known as the Forsaken, confront them. Aginor and Balthamel are supposed to be imprisoned in the Blight, alongside their master. Their presence confirms that the Dark One is gaining power and preparing for the Last Battle.

Aginor and Balthamel attack. In the ensuing altercation, the Green Man is able to kill Balthamel but is mortally wounded and dies. Although Aginor tries to kill everyone else, Moiraine stops his first attack.

When Rand realizes that his friends are in danger from Aginor, he runs away to distract him. They run to the edge of the Green Man’s place until Aginor corners him. Rand sees a rope of bright pulsing light that seems to be feeding Aginor. It begins shifting to him, while Aginor tries to hold onto it. Eventually, Aginor is consumed by flames. Rand is suddenly transported to a mountain pass, where he observes a battle between humans and Trollocs. He is overflowing with power and heat and uses them to engulf the Trollocs and other monsters into flames.

At that moment, steps leading into the sun appear out of thin air. Rand follows them. He arrives in a strange place where Ba’alzamon, the Dark One, is waiting for him. The Dark One is also fed by a rope of dark light. He tries to threaten and then bribe Rand into serving him. The young man denies him three times and finally cuts the black cord.

Rand regains consciousness in the spot where he fought with Aginor. All that is left of Aginor is a burned spot. Rand feels exhausted and physically battered but makes his way back to the meadow where he finds his friends. The rest of the group is fine, except for Moiraine, who is recovering from magical exhaustion. Rand relays his encounter with Aginor and Ba’alzamon, revealing his newfound ability to channel. Nynaeve and Egwene are sad and worried, but unafraid.

Lan and the other men are inside the cave. The pool is gone, revealing a large chest. It holds one of the seals of the Dark One’s prison, shattered. Is also holds the Horn of Valere, which can call to battle the legendary heroes of the past, as well as the Dragon’s banner.

The group returns to Fal Dara, the Borderland city. While Moiraine recuperates, Rand and Lan practice with their swords. After one training session, Rand and Egwene have a serious conversation. Everyone else seems set on going to Tar Valon. Rand, however, plans on leaving the group and going somewhere else, as he now knows that he can wield the Power.

Moiraine eavesdrops on their conversation. She does not seem intent on preventing Rand from leaving, but she is aware that the Dragon has been reborn, signaling the approach of the Last Battle.