An anonymous reader asks:

Well, I recently finished re-reading the earlier books in the series, and I wondered if this question had been asked here yet. In The Fires of Heaven, who does kill Asmodean?

I know that his killer isn't mentioned, although Asmodean does look at whoever it is and say "You? No!" before he dies. I wondered if any of the learned Chronicles members who have read the Wheel of Time has any theories as to who they think it is. So the question is: "Who killed you?"

I would like to preface this by acknowledging my absence for the past couple months.  You know how it is, I'm sure.  Wine, women, music...  I was recently contracted to compose- well, you're not interested.  I can tell.  Nobody is interested in music, despite the fact that it is one of the few ways that anyone who is not a Friend of the Dark can hope to achieve immortality.  Honestly, let's consider a few examples.  Handel, Mozart, Beethoven, Gershwin,  Miller, Elvis, Hendrix, Mercury.  All these men will live forever in the minds of all who heard them.  As a matter of fact, there are many who claim that Elvis is still alive, which leads me quite neatly into the question...

What in the name of the Great Lord makes you think I'm dead, you fool?!

Truth be told, I'm sick of the assumption that I am dead.  If I were dead, how would I be able to answer these asinine questions?!  It was all propaganda spewed forth by that Jordan fellow in order to confuse the faithful.  Maybe it was a genuine error on his part, but he was mistaken.  I am still alive and well.  After all, I am Music, and Music never truly dies.

"But wise and handsome Asmodean," you whine, "that does not mean that those men are still alive."  To that, I respond with a question: if I were dead, would my "esteemed colleagues" not be laughing at the ineptitude of the "weakest" of their number and toasting each other on their increased chances of reaching the rank of Nae'blis?  I daresay they would be.  Have you seen any such thing?  I daresay not.

I reassure you that I am still alive, and the closest I have ever come to death was in a game of Clue (Graendal in the Kitchen with the Revolver).

-Moghedien: We'll get you next time, Gadget Asmodean!

-Ishamael: Story of your life Moggy.

-Moghedien: You're just jealous of my spiky metal gloves.  That's got to be it.  Hrmph.

-Ishamael: I have fire coming out of my face cause it looks cool. What could I possibly be jealous of?

-Moghedien: Good point.  And I know juuuust the use for your flaming face-hole:

*grabs some sticks, passes them around, and starts loading hers up with marshmallows*

...

What?

-Asmodean: I know what you're all jealous of, though.  Out of all the Chosen, I am the one that everybody shows the most interest in.  When it comes to the popularity contest, I win!

-Lanfear: *rae* Really? I mean, REALLY?!  *laughs softly*  You keep telling yourself that.

-Mesaana: Only because they want to know which of our hands to shake. It has little to do with the body and everything to do with who should be exhalted for ending your farce of a life.

-Asmodean: I think you're much mistaken, Messy.  I mean, seriously now, who here doesn't like the cute little harmless musician?  Show of hands?  Anyone?

-Demandred: *raises hand*

Oh come on people. Whoever killed him sure didn't like the "cute little harmless musician," so I know I'm not alone in this.

-Mesaana: *raises hand, too*

"Cute little harmless muscians" are a terrible waste of space.

-Ishamael: *raises Asmo's hand*

-Semirhage: Asmo, I wouldn't say you are the most popular, but rather the one these wimpy, simpering, sickeningly sweet, goody-two-shoes questioners relate to the most.  A "cute little harmless musician" has no business being Chosen.