The Karaethon Cycle and Tarmon Gai’don

[fkt]

Hi all, I'm not sure if this has been brought up before, but the search function didn't bring up anything. Take that following section of the Karaethon Cycle ( http://wot.wikia.com/wiki/Karaethon_Cycle )

 

"Into the heart he thrusts his sword,

into the heart, to hold their hearts.

who draws it out shall follow after,

What hand can grasp that fearful blade?"

 

Now this is taken as fulfilled and done for prophecy - at the stone of tear. But what if this IS Tarmon Gai’don? Rand thrusting the sword into either his or the dark one's heart (in the process also binding the forsaken - holding their hearts), and the one that draws it out becomes the next dark one or dragon? Maybe the Dark one is not the "evil equivalent" of the creator, but the result of the resealing of the true power (be it someone sacrificing himself for it; another evil force fighting the true power; ...). This would also account for the continuity of the wheel (always a dark one, always a dragon, ...)

 

 

 

[acerbus80]

While recent revelations definetly allude to Rand using Callandor in Tarmon Gaidon, but personally I believe that the happenings at the Stone of Tear have fulfilled this prophecy for the most part.

 

However, the line "who draws it out shall follow after" confuses me somewhat.  During the battle with the Seanchan, Rand sent one of the Ashaman to retrieve Callandor, and he did indeed follow after Rand, but I'm not sure if that was part of the prophecy being fulfilled, or if it's completely unrelated.

[Talmanes]

Rand knew Narishma would follow after because of the prophecy. Therefore he was then able to trust him.

[acerbus80]

Makes sense. 

 

However, that is very trusting on Rand's part, seeing as how prophecy doesn't always work out the way one might think it might.  Narishma may have been sure to follow after, but had he been a dark friend it probably would have been better if he hadn't followed after. :-\

[fkt]

Does it say anywhere that Rand trusts him because of it? I listened to parts of tpod 14 & 21 but couldn't find anything. Also, what would be the point of that line? That it didn't matter who he sent, because he would bring the sword after him anyways?

But even if Rand believed it, what warrents that Rand's understanding of the prophecies is entirely correct? Actually there are indications that he has it not all figured out: I can think of at least one in the last book (can't say any more spoiler free) and

 

"Master of the lightnings, rider on the storm,

wearer of a crown of swords, spinner out of fate.

Who thinks he turns the Wheel of Time,

may learn the truth too late. "

 

may mean that several of his schemes won't work out as planned.

 

 

[Durinax]

or it may allude to how the final battle is being fought

[fkt]

That's kind of what I mean, Rand realizing (almost too late) that several of the actions he took to prepare for the last battle actually added in on the chaos - since the battle is taking place in a different way than he originally thought and/or (ironically) because of what he did.

[mb]

Interesting interpretation on prophecy in the opening post.

Though like others, I agree that the Stone of Tear events fulfilled it.

 

Rand thrusting Callandor into his own heart, that would kill him; he would not be able to hold anybody's heart when dead.

Rand thrusting Callandor into the Dark One's heart, not sure if the Dark One would have a 'heart' (in any sense).

 

learn to late, I take that to mean that the thought of turning the wheel being wrong; not his schemes/plans.

 

Relating to the prophecy in the opening post, Rand's interpretation seems correct since it seems accurate to the prophecy's words.