We have Moiraine as a newly minted Aes Sedai, fleeing being put on the throne of Cairhien and looking for the Dragon Reborn. Lan is off to Chachin, to stop his former lover Edeyn from raising an army in his name. Unbeknownst to both, they are already mixing with Shadospawn that seek to derail them from their prospective quests.
What I liked about this part of the book is that it works well as a character piece-you can understand Lan better if you realize how he is haunted by his past, and fears being used for political gain. When you see how Edeyn has a hold on him, and uses his strict sense of honor against him in an attempt to trap him in a marriage with her own daughter, Iselle. Aware at how vulnerable he is in this particular way, it is easier to understand why he would agree to become Moiraine's Warder.
Meanwhile, Moiraine is barely out of the White Tower, and also susceptible to being used politically against her will-the White Tower seeks to have her replace her late uncle, King Laman, on the throne of Cairhien following the Aiel War. She flees with the lists she and Siuan compiled of the possible children who were born at the right time and location to be the Dragon Reborn. As she hunts, she realizes that the Black Ajah is not only real, but also seeking the Dragon in an attempt to kill him, so the Shadow can spread over the land. Her own quest takes her on the road to Chachin, and meets the man who will eventually become her Warder. Along the way, she realizes her own vulnerability as a lone Aes Sedai. Of course, it wouldn't be a good story if they didn't have personal conflict between them before they realize that they are stronger together than apart.
As a long time fan, I appreciate the background information on each of these two, as it helps explain their sometimes odd interactions. Also, it gives a deeper realization that by the time we see them again in TEotW, they've been married in purpose for twenty years, as well as watching each other's backs and being their only companion for most of that time.
But seriously, if you're new to the series, don't start here. Read it at the end, as a nice coda to the story, or in the middle as a bit of a break. The wink wink nudge nudge of other characters might be more fun, too.
So, to sum up-that was 334 pages, 122,150 words, and 164 characters that were named. That's about one person every two pages, which would leave it at 2,000,000 characters in the books. It'll be fun to watch that number drop.
As a final note, full props to the artist of that picture above. Check out jasonchanart.com for more!
Next time-my journey truly begins!!
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