The Great Hunt: Chapter 49

Chapter 49: What Was Meant to Be

Atarah al'Norahn

Characters: Rand, Min, Moiraine, Loial, Perrin, Lan, Uno, Masema, the rest of the Shienarans.

Setting: Unknown

Rand awakens, and sees Min. She tells him that they are five days east of Falme. He asks about Egwene. She tells him that Egwene, Elayne, Nynaeve, Verin, Hurin and Mat have left for Tar Valon. She also tells him that there is something wrong with his side wound, as it couldn't be Healed properly.

Moiraine arrives. They talk about Fain. Then Rand tells them that he has killed Ba'alzamon. Moiraine hands him a rolled parchment with a drawing in chalk. The picture is of a man whose face is solid flame fighting with a staff against another with a sword among clouds where lightning danced, and behind them rippled the Dragon banner. Moiraine tells him that everyone knows.

Moiraine then shows him two broken seals. She found them both in High Lord Turak's dwelling. There are now three seals broken, and only four left to find.

Rand then insists on getting up, saying that he needs to walk. Min helps him up, and he stares down at what is left of his sword, causing him to think of Tam.

Moiraine and Min help him down to the campfires, and Rand sees Loial, Perrin, Lan and the Shienarans. He also sees the Dragon Banner, and asks what it is doing out where everyone can see it. "It is too late to hide, Rand," Moiraine says. "It was always too late for you to hide."

The Shienarans then pledge themselves to Rand.

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