The Shadow Rising

Synopsis

Perrin Aybara must return to Emond's Field to face the occupying Whitecloaks, while Rand enters the Aiel Waste and the forbidden city of Rhuidean.

Summary

Chapter 1: A Crack in the Stone

* Mat Cauthon and Thom Merrilin arrive at the White Tower, where Perrin Aybara and Egwene al'Vere are also present.
* Nynaeve al'Meara and Elayne Trakand arrive, and the group learns that the Black Ajah within the White Tower is plotting against them.
* Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, remains in hiding, preparing for his confrontation with the Dark One.

Chapter 2: The Bargain

* Mat and Thom confront Verin Mathwin, the Aes Sedai who has been guiding them, and learn that she is a member of the Black Ajah.
* They escape her and seek refuge with the Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche.
* Siuan offers them a dangerous plan: to infiltrate the Black Tower, the stronghold of the male Aes Sedai.

Chapter 3: The Black Tower

* Mat, Thom, and Perrin travel to the Black Tower and encounter Logain Ablar, the former False Dragon.
* They learn that the Black Tower is under the control of the Forsaken Asmodean.
* Mat and Perrin make a deal with Logain to defect to Rand's side.

Chapter 4: The Tower of Ghenjei

* Egwene and Elayne flee the White Tower after being attacked by the Black Ajah.
* They journey to the Tower of Ghenjei, an ancient fortress built by the Aes Sedai.
* They encounter Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan, a ruthless sister who is plotting against Siuan.

Chapter 5: The Shadow's Embrace

* Nynaeve and Lan Mandragoran travel to Shayol Ghul, the prison of the Dark One.
* They are captured by the forces of the Dark One, and Nynaeve is tortured and turned against Lan.
* Lan escapes and returns to the Light, but Nynaeve remains lost in darkness.

Chapter 6: The Light and the Shadow

* Rand confronts the Dark One in a dreamshard.
* The Dark One tempts Rand with power, but Rand resists.
* Rand learns that he must confront the Forsaken in order to seal the Bore, the prison of the Dark One.

Chapter 7: The Shadow's Dance

* The forces of Light and Shadow clash in a massive battle near the Black Tower.
* Rand leads a group of Aes Sedai to confront Asmodean.
* The battle is fierce, but the Light ultimately prevails.