The Fires of Heaven: Chapter 41

Val a'Shain

Characters: Rand, Weiramon, Egwene, Moiraine Kin Tovere, Rhuarc.

Setting: Near Cairhien

Point of view: Rand

Rand is overlooking the three camps holding the Cairhienin and Tairen forces at his disposal. Their numbers are so small they will not have a large impact on the outcome of the battle with the Shaido. Most of the Cairhienin and Tairen forces are pinned down inside the city. The Cairhienin and Tairen forces are under the command of the Tairin Lord Weiramon. Despite the fact he immediately rushed to Cairhien when he heard the city was being attacked the man seems to have very little common sense. The thinks his forces alone are enough to drive the Shaido off. He also seems quite ignorant of the significance of the increasing attacks on Tear by Illian. Rand doesn't think it is necessary to inform him one of the Forsaken is responsible for that.

Around Rand a group of Wise Women and clan chiefs gather. Rand spots Egwene and asks her if she has taken a decision. Egwene says she will do what she can. Moiraine disapproves of Egwene using the one Power in battle but remains silent. Rand decides to get on with what he came to this place for. He starts climbing a ladder to a wooden platform, followed by a number of clan chiefs. Mounted on the platform are two brassbound wooden tubes with glass lenses in them. The devices are made by a man named Kin Tovere.

Rand uses one of them to study the terrain while Rhuarc looks through the other. Rand sees a spear being flung with tremendous force skewering two men at once. Unfortunately the spear misses Couladin who was standing close to the two man. Rand wonders what to make of that. Other than that he sees the city and what is left of the Foregate. There are almost no Aiel in sight. Their battle plan is more of less ready but this last look at the terrain may be useful. Couladin doesn't deserve an easy way out.

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