[August Discussion]: The Black Tower in and after AMoL

[Niniel]

We are all anxious for the last book to be released. What will happen to our favourite characters? Who will die and who will live? Will Rand truly defeat the Dark One? All we can do, until we get our hands on a copy of the final book, is to speculate and make theories. And that is something we love to do here at DM.

 

This month´s discussion will be very interesting to read and participate in. The theme is The Black Tower in and after AMoL. Or you could also say before, in and after the Last Battle. Will Androl be able to make a gateway? Will Rand and his asha´mans get the time to deal with the Black Tower problems? What is going on in there - have we seen evidence already of the 13 x 13 conversions? The tower is built of stones from Shayol Ghul - how does it fit in with the prophesies? Will the Black and the White towers become one after the Last Battle? And of course - who is Taim?

 

Our guest mod this time is one of the WoT discussion boards moderators - Yoni0! Yoni0 started to read the WoT in the mid-late nineties when his mum gave him a copy of TEotW. (What a mum!) First he found it rather slow but...(you know the story)... midway through it he couldn´t resist the magic of Robert Jordan and he has been hooked ever since. It took him some time to get interested in DM though. First he buried himself in different theories at the WoT FAQ but then he found his way here via Robert Jordan´s blog. After some time hanging out in the WoT discussions board he was asked if he wanted to become a moderator which he couldn´t say no to. Yoni0´s first favourite character was Rand but Elayne, Moiraine and Verin followed soon. It took him some time to appreciate Nynaeve, Egwene and Mat but now they have all jumped up on his top 10 list. Actually there are very few characters that he dislikes. Over the years he has had a lot of theories and ideas - some has been proven right and some wrong. Now he is here to tell us about common Black Tower theories.

 

As usual we have a civil discussion where we respect each others opinions. All theories are welcome. Yoni0 will be here the rest of the month to discuss and answer questions. Yoni0 will start the discussion so don´t post until he get the chance to get here.

 

So let us all welcome Yoni0 and let the discussions begin.

[yoniy0]

Hey all, I'm here! This would be my first time participating in a discussion in the ORGs (that's what you're called, isn't it?!? As you'll note, I didn't venture out of the WoT boards very often in the past), so be easy on me, won't you?

 

I think we'll take this discussion in whichever direction you guys want to, so let me just begin with a recap of what's going on right now in (and near) the BT, and we'll take it from there.

The rest of this post, and I suspect the entire thread, will contain spoilers from everything we've got so far, including sample material from AMoL. I'll try to mark those areas where spoilers might pop up (and I encourage everyone to enclose AMoL spoilers in the appropriate environment), but consider this a blanket warning: If you don't wish to be spoiled, read on at your own peril.

What follows might get long. I ask for your pardon in advance, and I'll attempt to brake it down into sections to make it easier to navigate. In any event, you should feel free to comment now, whether or not you've gone through everything I wrote here.

 

1. What is going on here?

1.1 What does the future hold?

We've known for some time now that the BT will have a significant role in upcoming events. This section mentions the two major Foretellings concerning the BT:

 

One of the first clues we got is when Elaida Foretold the following:

The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds.

It's peculiar that the line about Rand's "knowing the Amyrlin's anger" immediately preceded that sentence. Judging from Harriet's chapter-name, that has already occurred when Rand met Egwene in the Hall of the Tower, but chapter names aren't always as straight-forward as that. Rand has set himself up for another confrontation with Egwene, to take place at the Field of Merillor; this might be a hint for the timing of said 'renting'. Of course, sisters have already walked the BT grounds, and Foretellings can be non-linear, chronologically speaking. In any event, this prophecy -- I think -- should be taken as a positive indication, that not all would go well for Taim.

 

An earlier Foretelling by Nicola is also directly relevant here:

The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade.

At first glance, I think most of us assumed this foretells the survival of the BT, or the Asha'man as an institute, past TG. Whether or not 'balancing' can refer to their working against one another or together, is anyone's guess (I tend toward the former from a linguistic PoV, but the theme of male and female working together -- even as they fight one another -- is strong in tWoT; it would seem unlikely that Rand might succeed without having put to rest some of the animosity between Aes Sedai and Asha'man).

However, it was suggested -- by Terez, I believe -- that the "great battle" might not be the "Last Battle".

 

For example, the battle of Caemlyn, now on its way, might qualify. If that is the case, Nicola's Foretelling could actually tell us much less that we might've thought. Finally, how do the Seanchan factor into this, and why does the return (presumably the Return) appear in the same sentence?

 

One more thing we got, though of questionable origin, is Aviendha's vision of the future.

The Ravens were unstoppable; now that Tar Valon had fallen, every realm in the wetlands was subject to the Seanchan. Only the Black Tower still fought, though the Asha'man did so in secret, as their fortress had fallen years before.

So, if we trust in this version of the future, the two towers will not become one (as some suspect the Ael'finn meant in their answer to Rand), supporting my former position.

 

1.2 The Present, Absent and Plots

This section is dedicated to the current situation in the Black Tower. We start by accounting for who's there and who's away. As you'll recall, Rand has ordered half the BT into the world in KoD:

"Taim wasn't pleased at me taking so many men out of the Tower and not telling him where they were going. I thought he was going to rip up your order. He tried every trick to learn where you are. Oh, he burns to know that. His eyes were practically on fire. I wouldn't put it past him to have had me put to the question if I'd been fool enough to meet him without company. One thing pleased him, though: that I didn't take any of his cronies. That was plain on his face."

These are probably still stationed in Illian and Arad Doman, except those Rand sent to the Borderlands. Left behind are all of Taim's supporters, as well as some lower-ranked supporters of Logain, as we've seen in ToM. Chief among them is Androl Genhald, a Dedicated of very moderate strength, who's nonetheless respected by Logain's supporters in the BT. We've seen that the Two Rivers men there, in particular, look up to Androl.

 

But what's been happening there? Well, firstly, Rand has kept away ever since Dumai's Wells. In is absense, Taim has been solidifying his control. For example, he took in on himself to declare those Asha'man with Rand in Cairhien traitors after the assassination attempt at the Sun Palace (an attempt he was party to ordering, as we later learn). Moreover, the once humble BT has undergone constructions; an actual tower was built, as well as a palace for Taim and his lackeys. More importantly, perhaps, is the wall Taim erected around the premises, as Elayne notes as early as WH prologue ("You've walled in four miles of Andor.") Why, though? What good does a wall do, when everyone strong enough to consider attacking the BT could very likely just as easily Travel into it? The answer becomes clearer in ToM:

"I have found only two of these. The other is being put to good use. You may use this one."

"A dreamspike?" she said, eyes opening wide. How badly she'd wanted to have one of these! "You found two?"

Grady came last. The man wore a neatly pressed black coat, his Dedicated pin polished and gleaming on the high collar. He immediately looked westward, toward the Black Tower. He'd tried to make a gateway there earlier in the day, when Perrin had given him permission. It hadn't worked. Perrin was disturbed by that. He intended to investigate soon, tonight or tomorrow night at the latest.

Pevara had been ordered by the Highest not to risk gateways unless the situation were dire. This seemed like a dire situation to her. She embraced the Source and wove the proper weave.

The weave fell apart the moment she completed it . No gateway formed. Eyes wide, she tried again, but got the same result. She tried other weaves, and they worked, but gateways failed every time.

Her chill became frost within her. She was trapped.

They all were.

Androl closed his eyes, emptying himself of all passions, embracing the void. Saidin shone in there, life and Power. He seized it, drinking it in. He opened his eyes to a world that was more vibrant. Could dead plants look both sickly and vibrant at the same time? A strange juxtaposition made possible by saidin.

He focused. Making gateways came so much easier to him than other weaves did; he'd never understood why. Though he couldn't break even a small rock apart by channeling, he could make a gateway large enough for a wagon to drive through. Logain had called it impressive; Taim had called it impossible.

This time, Androl pushed all of the Power he had into his weave. He understood gateways. They made sense. Maybe it was the innate fondness he had for traveling, for discovering new places and new arts. The weaves came together. He didn't notice any of the difficulty that Emarin had mentioned. However, when the familiar slash of light should have come, the weave began to unravel instead. Androl tried to hold to it, pulling it together. For a moment, it looked like that would work. Then the threads slid from his grip, evaporating. The gateway never formed.

So, it would seem that the walls, with guards stationed on regular intervals, aren't meant to keep someone out after all. Far from it, they're actually aimed at keeping someone in. And the reason for that becomes apparent in the same chapter.

 

1.3 Something Wrong

The woman looked up, and Pevara froze. There was something different in Tarna's eyes, something cold. She'd always been a distant one, but this was worse.

Tarna smiled, a grimace that looked completely unnatural on her face. Like the smile on the lips of a corpse. She turned back to her writing.

"It's not really Mezar," Norley said. "Oh, it has Mezar's face, right enough. But it's not him. I can see it in his eyes. Trouble is, whatever the thing is, it has Mezar's memories. Talks right like him. But the smile is wrong. All wrong."

[...]

And he saw what Norley had seen. Something was deeply wrong, something not-quite-alive inside those eyes. This didn't seem to be a man, but a parody of one. A shadow stuffed inside human skin.

So what's going on here? My first thought, as I'm sure yours was as well, is the 13x13 trick, where a channeler can be forcibly turned to the Shadow. Since then, some have argued that this might be wrong, that there are similarities between the descriptions in ToM and a comment Moghedien once made regarding the effects of having one's cour'souvra broken (an argument that I find hard to swallow, myself). Either way, it would seem Taim is using Rand's preoccupation for a massive recruitment campaign. Luckily, Rand is now ready to change his noninterference policy, as evident by his sending of Naeff to the BT.

 

1.4

And of course, we can't conclude this discussion without referring to Brandon's revelation from this year's Jordancon, that the walls (and possibly the podium, see here) of the BT are made from Shayol Ghul rock. This little fact might have many ramifications (see Egwene's Dream in part 2.2 of this post), or none. Most notably, I think, Rand's blood is to be spilled on the rocks of SG. This connection isn't rock-solid (see what I did there?), as Rand also has to bleed in the Pit of Doom, but we already know that somehow Rand's blood "shall give us the Light" and "free men from the Shadow", but at the same time its spilling will "bring us the Darkness so beautiful". Therefore, suggesting that Rand's blood will have to be spilled more than once isn't that farfetched, and one of those times may well occur in the BT.

 

 

2. It's All Personal

Let's take a closer look at the forces at work in the BT.

 

2.1 Mazrim Taim

We first learn of Taim at the beginning of TGH, as a Saldean channeling false Dragon. His case becomes much more interesting in TSR, though:

Joiya shrugged. "As you wish. Let me see. Different words. The false Dragon, Mazrim Taim, who was captured in Saldaea, can channel with incredible strength. Perhaps as much as Rand al'Thor, or nearly so, if the reports can be believed. Before he can be brought to Tar Valon and gentled, Liandrin means to break him free. He will be proclaimed as the Dragon Reborn, his name given as Rand al'Thor, and then he will be set to destruction on such a scale as the world has not seen since the War of the Hundred Years."

And indeed, not much later we find out that:

"Nearly as bad as Trollocs, Mother," she said almost as soon as she began reading. "Mazrim Taim has escaped."

When Taim first presented himself to Rand in Caemlyn, many of us believed him to be Demandred in disguise. This has since, as you all know, been refuted by RJ. So, giving additional thought to the matter, what has happened to Taim? Bashere had trouble recognizing him when he arrived to Caemlyn, a fact that was never fully explained, not quite (at least, not to my own satisfaction). There are some other oddities about the man:

who can know what these so-called Aiel will do.

(The Watcher from ACoS20, who was almost certainly Moridin and definitely a servant of the DO, is the only other person to refer to the Aiel in that manner)

shadows seemed to follow him, as if half the lamps in the room had gone out; not real shadows, but an air of imminent violence that seemed palpable enough to soak up light.

HBFFerreira (20 July 2010)

The Gathering Storm: Rand's dark aura was an effect of channeling the True Power, right? Winter's Heart prologue: didn't Taim cast a similar aura?

Brandon Sanderson (21 July 2010)

You're the first to notice that that I've seen

The palace the Murandian had spoken of was just that, two stories of white marble topped with pointed domes and spires in the style of Saldaea, separated from a large space of bare, hard-packed ground by the white platform.

[...]

Each bore a gauntleted fist gripping three lightning bolts, carved large and gilded.

[...]

The palace might have belonged to any noble with a taste for tapestries showing battles and red-and-black floor tiles

[...]

The floor tiles were red and black here, too. Taim must particularly like those colors.

[...]

Taim's eyes seemed to bore into her head. He spread his hands, and it was a mocking gesture. "What would you have me say? Fair is fair? Equal shares? Accept 'very well' and ask who will let you bond them. Besides, you must remember the old saying. Let the lord of chaos rule." The chamber erupted with men's laughter.

(The same coat of arms was used -- with different colors -- by Sammael and Rahvin. Red and Black are, of course, Moridin's colors)

 

Taken together, the quotes above make it clear that Taim is a follower of the Shadow, and probably a very high ranking one (if indeed he was granted use of the TP, a privilege denied to all but Moridin, and later Graendal as well). But how did he become what he is? Was he forcibly turned to the Shadow, after being sprung free from his AS escort? Was he discovered and trained by Ishamael from young age, as some suspect? Or perhaps, he is in fact Moridin himself? Some hitherto unknown Forsaken from the Age of Legends? Each theory has its followers.

 

2.2 Logain Ablar

Logain is a minor Ghealdanin lord, made false Dragon, captured and Genteled by the Tower, only to be Healed by Nynaeve, set free by Egwene, and join the BT. Since then, he has come to lead a faction in the BT opposing Taim's dominance. Many believe that he's destined to liberate the BT from Taim's rule, due mainly to these two 'prophecies':

But she had never before seen a flaring halo around his head, radiant in gold and blue. It was only there for a moment, but that was enough.

[...]

So why had he worn a halo that shouted of glory and power to come?

Logain, laughing, stepped across something on the ground and mounted a black stone; when she looked down, she thought it was Rand's body he had stepped over, laid out on a funeral bier with his hands crossed at his breast, but when she touched his face, it broke apart like a paper puppet.

Right now, though, Logain has more pressing matters on his plate. No one has heard from him since the events of KoD's A Small Wooden Box and TGS's prologue (around April 9, according to Steven Cooper, whereas the meeting at the Field of Merillor takes place 98 days later). Where did he go, and was he with Mezar when the latter was caught by Taim? He stated that he's not as big a fool so as to approach Taim on his own, but perhaps he thought Mezar and a couple more adequate protection?

 

2.3 Androl Genhald

Mentioned above, Androl main function seems to be as a leader to those of Logain's faction remaining in the BT, and as a supremely talented gateway-weaver. Seeing as how Traveling is currently denyed those in the BT, this Talent might well come in handy. Could he, as some believe, overcome the Dreamspike (RJ is quoted as saying there are countermeasures, known in the AoL)? Perhaps a Ring might help him do it (good think he approached Pevara, then)?

 

2.4 Pevara Tazanovni

Pevara, a former Sitter for the Red, who's family has been murdered in a Darkfriend uprising, was one of the Tower Black Ajah hunters. On orders from Tsutama Rath -- the Red's Highest -- she embarked on a mission with Tarna Feir, Javindhra Doraille, Jezrail and Melare to Bond Asha'man as Warders. She was caught in the BT when the Dreamspike was activated, but we know from Brandon that she'll be "awesome" in some manner before this story is done. It seems very likely that she has a part to play in events there, perhaps even a pivotal one.

 

2.5 Jahar Narishma

The only reason I include Narishma in this list is the following line from the 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?

And it was, of course, Narishma to draw Callandor from the Heart of the Stone. So what does it mean, that he shall "follow after" (presumably after Rand)? It's been speculated that he might lead the Asha'man after the Last Battle, even if Logain currently appear primed for that position.

 

2.6 Perrin Aybara AMoL Spoilers

What is Perrin doing in this list, you might ask. Doesn't he have more pressing matters to attend to? Well, the thing is, no he doesn't. It was Perrin to whom Grady mentioned the problem with the BT and Traveling, Perrin who has experience with Dreamspikes, and Perrin who apparently has to fight Slayer -- the likely guardian of the Dreamspike. Most of all, Perrin has already decided to follow up on whatever's going on with the BT in tel'aran'rhiod (quote above).

 

 

However, Caemlyn is already burning when Rand and Perrin have their sitdown at the Field of Merillor, in the first scene of AMoL. It's not completely clear whether Perrin would have time to follow up on his plans that night, although an argument could be made for the use of that same Dreamspike to shield Caemlyn as well, as a method of denying it help from afar, in which case events there could very well mesh with the imminent action in the BT).

 

 

 

And... That's everything. I think. What do you guys think?

[Songstress]

I think everyone is truly intimidated by your recap!

 

Honestly, the resolution of the BT storyline is one of the things I'm most looking forward to in AMOL. I hadn't thought about how long it had been since Logain was last heard from, that is fairly worrisome. But there is still glory for him to win, so I am confident he will turn up and do something awesome.

[Niel an' Tyomn]

Dude first of all that was AWESOME good work!

[Niel an' Tyomn]

I think everyone is truly intimidated by your recap!

 

Honestly, the resolution of the BT storyline is one of the things I'm most looking forward to in AMOL. I hadn't thought about how long it had been since Logain was last heard from, that is fairly worrisome. But there is still glory for him to win, so I am confident he will turn up and do something awesome.

 

The battle could've already happened.... not likely

[randomh3r0]

Very good work, mod! I've been considering Elaida's Foretelling more and more lately. One theory I've got is that since Rand doesn't know how to fix the BT currently, and Egwene is trying to see the Red Ajah serve a new purpose, I believe facing her in Merilor, Rand might come to an agreement with her to solve both problems, in exchange for her aide in breaking the seals (or at least her concession that he should do so)

Egwene would be wise to forge the two towers together, gaining strength for both sides and she can also root out those Rand can't trust with the Oath Rod, and her method of clensing the WT.

This wouldn't account for Taim and his closest, but could very well wrap up a few loose ends at the same time. Perhaps coming up with a position in the new united tower for Logain as a male Keeper or such thing (Min's viewing).

Just a couple thoughts I've been chewing on

[RandA lThor]

OK, I used to be incredibly active in the general wheel of time discussions, and I think I am out of practice, I got shocked by that post.

[Songstress]

I think everyone is truly intimidated by your recap!

 

Honestly, the resolution of the BT storyline is one of the things I'm most looking forward to in AMOL. I hadn't thought about how long it had been since Logain was last heard from, that is fairly worrisome. But there is still glory for him to win, so I am confident he will turn up and do something awesome.

 

The battle could've already happened.... not likely

 

Yeah, I so don't see that happening offscreen.

[RandA lThor]

Hey all, I'm here! This would be my first time participating in a discussion in the ORGs (that's what you're called, isn't it?!? As you'll note, I didn't venture out of the WoT boards very often in the past), so be easy on me, won't you?

 

I think we'll take this discussion in whichever direction you guys want to, so let me just begin with a recap of what's going on right now in (and near) the BT, and we'll take it from there.

The rest of this post, and I suspect the entire thread, will contain spoilers from everything we've got so far, including sample material from AMoL. I'll try to mark those areas where spoilers might pop up (and I encourage everyone to enclose AMoL spoilers in the appropriate environment), but consider this a blanket warning: If you don't wish to be spoiled, read on at your own peril.

What follows might get long. I ask for your pardon in advance, and I'll attempt to brake it down into sections to make it easier to navigate. In any event, you should feel free to comment now, whether or not you've gone through everything I wrote here.

 

1. What is going on here?

1.1 What does the future hold?

We've known for some time now that the BT will have a significant role in upcoming events. This section mentions the two major Foretellings concerning the BT:

 

One of the first clues we got is when Elaida Foretold the following:

The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds.

It's peculiar that the line about Rand's "knowing the Amyrlin's anger" immediately preceded that sentence. Judging from Harriet's chapter-name, that has already occurred when Rand met Egwene in the Hall of the Tower, but chapter names aren't always as straight-forward as that. Rand has set himself up for another confrontation with Egwene, to take place at the Field of Merillor; this might be a hint for the timing of said 'renting'. Of course, sisters have already walked the BT grounds, and Foretellings can be non-linear, chronologically speaking. In any event, this prophecy -- I think -- should be taken as a positive indication, that not all would go well for Taim.

 

An earlier Foretelling by Nicola is also directly relevant here:

The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the guardians balance the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade.

At first glance, I think most of us assumed this foretells the survival of the BT, or the Asha'man as an institute, past TG. Whether or not 'balancing' can refer to their working against one another or together, is anyone's guess (I tend toward the former from a linguistic PoV, but the theme of male and female working together -- even as they fight one another -- is strong in tWoT; it would seem unlikely that Rand might succeed without having put to rest some of the animosity between Aes Sedai and Asha'man).

However, it was suggested -- by Terez, I believe -- that the "great battle" might not be the "Last Battle".

 

For example, the battle of Caemlyn, now on its way, might qualify. If that is the case, Nicola's Foretelling could actually tell us much less that we might've thought. Finally, how do the Seanchan factor into this, and why does the return (presumably the Return) appear in the same sentence?

 

One more thing we got, though of questionable origin, is Aviendha's vision of the future.

The Ravens were unstoppable; now that Tar Valon had fallen, every realm in the wetlands was subject to the Seanchan. Only the Black Tower still fought, though the Asha'man did so in secret, as their fortress had fallen years before.

So, if we trust in this version of the future, the two towers will not become one (as some suspect the Ael'finn meant in their answer to Rand), supporting my former position.

 

1.2 The Present, Absent and Plots

This section is dedicated to the current situation in the Black Tower. We start by accounting for who's there and who's away. As you'll recall, Rand has ordered half the BT into the world in KoD:

"Taim wasn't pleased at me taking so many men out of the Tower and not telling him where they were going. I thought he was going to rip up your order. He tried every trick to learn where you are. Oh, he burns to know that. His eyes were practically on fire. I wouldn't put it past him to have had me put to the question if I'd been fool enough to meet him without company. One thing pleased him, though: that I didn't take any of his cronies. That was plain on his face."

These are probably still stationed in Illian and Arad Doman, except those Rand sent to the Borderlands. Left behind are all of Taim's supporters, as well as some lower-ranked supporters of Logain, as we've seen in ToM. Chief among them is Androl Genhald, a Dedicated of very moderate strength, who's nonetheless respected by Logain's supporters in the BT. We've seen that the Two Rivers men there, in particular, look up to Androl.

 

But what's been happening there? Well, firstly, Rand has kept away ever since Dumai's Wells. In is absense, Taim has been solidifying his control. For example, he took in on himself to declare those Asha'man with Rand in Cairhien traitors after the assassination attempt at the Sun Palace (an attempt he was party to ordering, as we later learn). Moreover, the once humble BT has undergone constructions; an actual tower was built, as well as a palace for Taim and his lackeys. More importantly, perhaps, is the wall Taim erected around the premises, as Elayne notes as early as WH prologue ("You've walled in four miles of Andor.") Why, though? What good does a wall do, when everyone strong enough to consider attacking the BT could very likely just as easily Travel into it? The answer becomes clearer in ToM:

"I have found only two of these. The other is being put to good use. You may use this one."

"A dreamspike?" she said, eyes opening wide. How badly she'd wanted to have one of these! "You found two?"

Grady came last. The man wore a neatly pressed black coat, his Dedicated pin polished and gleaming on the high collar. He immediately looked westward, toward the Black Tower. He'd tried to make a gateway there earlier in the day, when Perrin had given him permission. It hadn't worked. Perrin was disturbed by that. He intended to investigate soon, tonight or tomorrow night at the latest.

Pevara had been ordered by the Highest not to risk gateways unless the situation were dire. This seemed like a dire situation to her. She embraced the Source and wove the proper weave.

The weave fell apart the moment she completed it . No gateway formed. Eyes wide, she tried again, but got the same result. She tried other weaves, and they worked, but gateways failed every time.

Her chill became frost within her. She was trapped.

They all were.

Androl closed his eyes, emptying himself of all passions, embracing the void. Saidin shone in there, life and Power. He seized it, drinking it in. He opened his eyes to a world that was more vibrant. Could dead plants look both sickly and vibrant at the same time? A strange juxtaposition made possible by saidin.

He focused. Making gateways came so much easier to him than other weaves did; he'd never understood why. Though he couldn't break even a small rock apart by channeling, he could make a gateway large enough for a wagon to drive through. Logain had called it impressive; Taim had called it impossible.

This time, Androl pushed all of the Power he had into his weave. He understood gateways. They made sense. Maybe it was the innate fondness he had for traveling, for discovering new places and new arts. The weaves came together. He didn't notice any of the difficulty that Emarin had mentioned. However, when the familiar slash of light should have come, the weave began to unravel instead. Androl tried to hold to it, pulling it together. For a moment, it looked like that would work. Then the threads slid from his grip, evaporating. The gateway never formed.

So, it would seem that the walls, with guards stationed on regular intervals, aren't meant to keep someone out after all. Far from it, they're actually aimed at keeping someone in. And the reason for that becomes apparent in the same chapter.

 

1.3 Something Wrong

The woman looked up, and Pevara froze. There was something different in Tarna's eyes, something cold. She'd always been a distant one, but this was worse.

Tarna smiled, a grimace that looked completely unnatural on her face. Like the smile on the lips of a corpse. She turned back to her writing.

"It's not really Mezar," Norley said. "Oh, it has Mezar's face, right enough. But it's not him. I can see it in his eyes. Trouble is, whatever the thing is, it has Mezar's memories. Talks right like him. But the smile is wrong. All wrong."

[...]

And he saw what Norley had seen. Something was deeply wrong, something not-quite-alive inside those eyes. This didn't seem to be a man, but a parody of one. A shadow stuffed inside human skin.

So what's going on here? My first thought, as I'm sure yours was as well, is the 13x13 trick, where a channeler can be forcibly turned to the Shadow. Since then, some have argued that this might be wrong, that there are similarities between the descriptions in ToM and a comment Moghedien once made regarding the effects of having one's cour'souvra broken (an argument that I find hard to swallow, myself). Either way, it would seem Taim is using Rand's preoccupation for a massive recruitment campaign. Luckily, Rand is now ready to change his noninterference policy, as evident by his sending of Naeff to the BT.

 

1.4

And of course, we can't conclude this discussion without referring to Brandon's revelation from this year's Jordancon, that the walls (and possibly the podium, see here) of the BT are made from Shayol Ghul rock. This little fact might have many ramifications (see Egwene's Dream in part 2.2 of this post), or none. Most notably, I think, Rand's blood is to be spilled on the rocks of SG. This connection isn't rock-solid (see what I did there?), as Rand also has to bleed in the Pit of Doom, but we already know that somehow Rand's blood "shall give us the Light" and "free men from the Shadow", but at the same time its spilling will "bring us the Darkness so beautiful". Therefore, suggesting that Rand's blood will have to be spilled more than one isn't that farfetched, and one of those times may well occur in the BT.

 

 

2. It's All Personal

Let's take a closer look at the forces at work in the BT.

 

2.1 Mazrim Taim

We first learn of Taim at the beginning of TGH, as a Saldean channeling false Dragon. His case becomes much more interesting in TSR, though:

Joiya shrugged. "As you wish. Let me see. Different words. The false Dragon, Mazrim Taim, who was captured in Saldaea, can channel with incredible strength. Perhaps as much as Rand al'Thor, or nearly so, if the reports can be believed. Before he can be brought to Tar Valon and gentled, Liandrin means to break him free. He will be proclaimed as the Dragon Reborn, his name given as Rand al'Thor, and then he will be set to destruction on such a scale as the world has not seen since the War of the Hundred Years."

And indeed, not much later we find out that:

"Nearly as bad as Trollocs, Mother," she said almost as soon as she began reading. "Mazrim Taim has escaped."

When Taim first presented himself to Rand in Caemlyn, many of us believed him to be Demandred in disguise. This has since, as you all know, been refuted by RJ. So, giving additional thought to the matter, what has happened to Taim? Bashere had trouble recognizing him when he arrived to Caemlyn, a fact that was never fully explained, not quite (at least, not to my own satisfaction). There are some other oddities about the man:

who can know what these so-called Aiel will do.

(The Watcher from ACoS20, who was almost certainly Moridin and definitely a servant of the DO, is the only other person to refer to the Aiel in that manner)

shadows seemed to follow him, as if half the lamps in the room had gone out; not real shadows, but an air of imminent violence that seemed palpable enough to soak up light.

HBFFerreira (20 July 2010)

The Gathering Storm: Rand's dark aura was an effect of channeling the True Power, right? Winter's Heart prologue: didn't Taim cast a similar aura?

Brandon Sanderson (21 July 2010)

You're the first to notice that that I've seen

The palace the Murandian had spoken of was just that, two stories of white marble topped with pointed domes and spires in the style of Saldaea, separated from a large space of bare, hard-packed ground by the white platform.

[...]

Each bore a gauntleted fist gripping three lightning bolts, carved large and gilded.

[...]

The palace might have belonged to any noble with a taste for tapestries showing battles and red-and-black floor tiles

[...]

The floor tiles were red and black here, too. Taim must particularly like those colors.

[...]

Taim's eyes seemed to bore into her head. He spread his hands, and it was a mocking gesture. "What would you have me say? Fair is fair? Equal shares? Accept 'very well' and ask who will let you bond them. Besides, you must remember the old saying. Let the lord of chaos rule." The chamber erupted with men's laughter.

(The same coat of arms was used -- with different colors -- by Sammael and Rahvin. Red and Black are, of course, Moridin's colors)

 

Taken together, the quotes above make it clear that Taim is a follower of the Shadow, and probably a very high ranking one (if indeed he was granted use of the TP, a privilege denied to all but Moridin, and later Graendal as well). But how did he become what he is? Was he forcibly turned to the Shadow, after being sprung free from his AS escort? Was he discovered and trained by Ishamael from young age, as some suspect? Or perhaps, he is in fact Moridin himself? Some hitherto unknown Forsaken from the Age of Legends? Each theory has its followers.

 

2.2 Logain Ablar

Logain is a minor Ghealdanin lord, made false Dragon, captured and Genteled by the Tower, only to be Healed by Nynaeve, set free by Egwene, and join the BT. Since then, he has come to lead a faction in the BT opposing Taim's dominance. Many believe that he's destined to liberate the BT from Taim's rule, due mainly to these two 'prophecies':

But she had never before seen a flaring halo around his head, radiant in gold and blue. It was only there for a moment, but that was enough.

[...]

So why had he worn a halo that shouted of glory and power to come?

Logain, laughing, stepped across something on the ground and mounted a black stone; when she looked down, she thought it was Rand's body he had stepped over, laid out on a funeral bier with his hands crossed at his breast, but when she touched his face, it broke apart like a paper puppet.

Right now, though, Logain has more pressing matters on his plate. No one has heard from him since the events of KoD's A Small Wooden Box and TGS's prologue (around April 9, according to Steven Cooper, whereas the meeting at the Field of Merillor takes place 98 days later). Where did he go, and was he with Mezar when the latter was caught by Taim? He stated that he's not as big a fool so as to approach Taim on his own, but perhaps he thought Mezar and a couple more adequate protection?

 

2.3 Androl Genhald

Mentioned above, Androl main function seems to be as a leader to those of Logain's faction remaining in the BT, and as a supremely talented gateway-weaver. Seeing as how Traveling is currently denyed those in the BT, this Talent might well come in handy. Could he, as some believe, overcome the Dreamspike (RJ is quoted as saying there are countermeasures, known in the AoL)? Perhaps a Ring might help him do it (good think he approached Pevara, then)?

 

2.4 Pevara Tazanovni

Pevara, a former Sitter for the Red, who's family has been murdered in a Darkfriend uprising, was one of the Tower Black Ajah hunters. On orders from Tsutama Rath -- the Red's Highest -- she embarked on a mission with Tarna Feir, Javindhra Doraille, Jezrail and Melare to Bond Asha'man as Warders. She was caught in the BT when the Dreamspike was activated, but we know from Brandon that she'll be "awesome" in some manner before this story is done. It seems very likely that she has a part to play in events there, perhaps even a pivotal one.

 

2.5 Jahar Narishma

The only reason I include Narishma in this list is the following line from the 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?

And it was, of course, Narishma to draw Callandor from the Heart of the Stone. So what does it mean, that he shall "follow after" (presumably after Rand)? It's been speculated that he might lead the Asha'man after the Last Battle, even if Logain currently appear primed for that position.

 

2.6 Perrin Aybara[/i] AMoL Spoilers

What is Perrin doing in this list, you might ask. Doesn't he have more pressing matters to attend to? Well, the thing is, no he doesn't. It was Perrin to whom Grady mentioned the problem with the BT and Traveling, Perrin who has experience with Dreamspikes, and Perrin who apparently has to fight Slayer -- the likely guardian of the Dreamspike. Most of all, Perrin has already decided to follow up on whatever's going on with the BT in tel'aran'rhiod (quote above).

 

 

However, Caemlyn is already burning when Rand and Perrin have their sitdown at the Field of Merillor, in the first scene of AMoL. It's not completely clear whether Perrin would have time to follow up on his plans that night, although an argument could be made for the use of that same Dreamspike to shield Caemlyn as well, as a method of denying it help from afar, in which case events there could very well mesh with the imminent action in the BT).

 

 

 

And... That's everything. I think. What do you guys think?

 

OK, I shall respond to individual quotes.

 

Quote 1:

 

I think that this is just an indication that there will be a battle between shadow and light in the BT and that sisters shall be present then. I think Elaida made that prediction in that way to give the readers some false perception of what was going to happen. I definitely do not think that sisters shall win against the BT.

 

Quote 2: I agree with the quotemistress (Terez) that this is not the Last Battle as it says that the world will not be done with battles. i think this means what will happen in Caemlyn and the confusion of male channelers and what will happen with that.

 

Quote 3: I honestly think that this was added for spice and do not truly think that this version of the future shall occur at all. i think that all this indicates is that the BT shall be good after the Last Battle.

 

Quote 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8: I think this is a very good observation. However, this means that Rand has more forces than those just at the BT right now, a lot more to fight against the BT. Plus, Rand is like a god... so... :).

 

Quote 9 and 10: i personally also don't like the cour'souvra idea as well. i think that since they act like themselves still without blind obedience, it seems more 13 x 13. Plus, there has been more suspense towards that, it would be more appropriate.

 

I'll do the second part later.

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

I am intimidated, shocked, stunned... and delighted. and have nothing of substance to add, except... wow, yoniy0... thanks...

 

there are smarter ppl who will be waking up soon with something to add.

 

and maybe one of them can explain... no, there is too much... they can sum up...

[Niniel]

What a recap!!!

 

I´m thinking about Logain/Narishma. Who is going to be the hero? Logain should be the one that saves the Black Tower but what is Narishma´s role? Take over after Rand? In what way? Hm...

 

What about the new tower that Elaida was building? Will it be the new home of the asha´mans?

 

Pevara - I love that we finally get to see a Red hero. At least I think she will be one together with Androl and the Two River boys.

[Turin Turambar]

I know that most of these topics have been weighed and measured to the gram in the discussion boards. I have wondered about the part with callandor. Could that have been actually talking about rand when he originally took it? Just because it has been so long and I don't remember, do we know who left callandor in the stone to begin with?

 

I think it is possible that the battle of the BT may have happened but will not be reported until later. The timelines of the individual arcs are sometimes not told concurrently.

 

I think that elaida's foretelling is describing two events. That the BT will be rent in fire etc... And that aes Sedai will walk its grounds. The as are already there and all it would take is one to go mad or two to battle to tear the place up.

[Mik]

'lo an behold my newly found Tainted Brothers and Sisters!

 

I shall take you on a flight deep into the dark crevices of the twisted, warped mind of the humble Great Mik of the Dark!

Let me overload your puny minds -burn them to embers- and make them anew so you see the Shadowy reality that I call "Miks Warp"!

I will burn you clean -a cleansing fire- of the bonds that tie you to your current pale view on the Wheel!

 

Join me on my journey deep into the Madness.... only to find out that at beyond the end of Madness lies the Truth; the Devils that will tear your Mind to shreds were actually Angels that freed you from your self-build prison!

Sing your Screams. Screams of salvation, my Brothers and Sisters! SING!

 

*Mik cackles madly and dashes off*

 

 

 

 

 

"All great truths started out as blasphemies"

-- George Bernard Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Shayol Ghul & Blight 'light'

 

Slowly, ever so slowly... ever since Taim took over control of what Rand started at the farmyard -and had named ´the farm´- Taim has twisted the place. Every time Rand goes there in Lord of Chaos, the surroundings decay. It starts with little things very close to the farm, like leaves falling amass from the trees near the farm...... well.. read for yourselves how it decay's to the point of decent men now feeling a sense of wrongness on the Black Tower's grounds itself.

 

The first time -only after seven days- it still looks like the changes in weather are the cause...

 

In the Great Hall he grasped saidin, opened the hole in air and darted through into the clearing near the farm, letting the Source go.

Releasing a long breath, he sank to his knees in the dead leaves. The heat beneath the bare branches hammered him; he had lost the necessary concentration a long while back.

.../ /...

Leaves crackled as he forced himself to his feet.

.../ /...

Taim had the students in a clear area of hard red clay and fitful weeds beyond the barn.

.../ /...

since he brought Taim out here seven days ago...

(LoC, Chapter 11 - Lessons and Teachers)

 

But as the story progresses, it becomes clear it's not due to the weather, it's something else..

It looks like the farmyard and the clearing are turning into what happens to nature in the Blight.

 

His real reason for abandoning the Power was that he did not think he dared face Taim with saidin in him and Lews Therin in his head.

The clearing was browner than he remembered, more leaves crackling under his boots and still fewer on the trees. Some of the pines were completely yellow, and a number of leatherleafs stood dead, gray and bare. But if the clearing had changed, the farm was altered almost beyond recognition.

(LoC, Chapter 42 - The Black Tower)

 

This is all still during LoC, when Rand -occasionally- still visited what now is turned into the Black Tower; a fitting name. And finally in ToM, we see the nature near the frindges of the Black Tower grounds (4 square miles, was it?) described:

 

Androl shook his head, arms folded. The trees rustled, leaves shivering, many falling to the ground. Brown, as if it were autumn. That unnerved him. He'd spent some time working the ground during his journeys in life, and had acquired a farmer's sense for right and wrong regarding the land.

 

.../ /...

Androl closed his eyes, emptying himself of all passions, embracing the void. Saidin shone in there, life and Power. He seized it, drinking it in. He opened his eyes to a world that was more vibrant. Could dead plants look both sickly and vibrant at the same time? A strange juxtaposition made possible by saidin.

(ToM, Chapter 56 - Something Wrong)

 

It just feels wrong. Nature is dying ever since Taim came to the farm. It started close to the farm first, but it's spreading outwards from there, regardless of the fact that the weather is fixed. Dead plants that look sickly show up further and further from where the farm originated. And then we have the following description when the farm is first named the Black Tower:

 

... maybe to speak from the back of the rickety cart that now seemed to have vanished. Taim had a platform for making addresses, though, a plain block of black stone dressed and polished so finely that it shone like a mirror in the sunlight, with two steps cut into the back. It stood in an open area…/ /…, the ground beaten bare and flat and hard around it.

(LoC, Chapter 42 - The Black Tower)

 

Remember how RJ used the Two Rivers in TEotW -the road names, the forrests, the sand hills, etc- to describe a mini-version of Randland, foreshadowing of what we would later see in a larger way. The description above reminds me of a mini-version of Moridin's Tower in the Blasted Lands, surrounded by the Great Blight. It's RJ showing us that a smaller version of 'The Pit of Doom lies south' aswell.

 

And that brings me to the next part of Warping your mind. It hints of Taims true identity....

 

 

2. The 'Serpent in the Bossom'

 

LoC, Epilogue Footer

"The unstained tower breaks and bends knee to the forgotten sign.

The seas rage, and stormclouds gather unseen.

Beyond the horizon, hidden fires swell, and serpents nestle in the bosom.

What was exalted is cast down; what was cast down is raised up.

Order burns to clear his path."

 

 

We are led to believe Taim was 'freed' by his followers, and yet Taim never mentions them and shows up alone. Kind of wierd, wouldn't you say, for someone who wrecked Saldea with an army? That's because he wasn't freed by followers, Taim was 'taken ....in the night', like the note that Siuan read actually -literally- states!

Also, we learned right before that Taim was taken, that the Great Blight had 'retreated for some reason' over two miles all along it's borders! What is Shai'tan doing, that he's losing some grip on reality/ the Pattern? Siuan thinks it's a good sign the Blight retreated. Or was Shai'tan rerouting His Power and attention on more pressing matters?

 

Also, RJ wrote:

"Taim shrugged. “What are my choices? To wander the world alone, friendless, hunted, while you rise to glory?"

Now what's so funny about this quote is that this "Taim" doesn't have, or even considers an army or followers...like we know Taim had in the early books. And it is also noteworthy that the Devil was known as 'the Wanderer' and that we know someone in the books that was described as 'the Wanderer' as well (In Shadar Logoth): Moridin!

 

Coincidently,(well, not really coincidence ofcourse...this is RJ we're talking about!) the Chapter we learn this in is called "Deceptions". Was Siuan decieved? She sure was;

My take is that Shai'tan ordered Taim be brought to Shayol Ghul after Ishamael died. Shai'tan needed a suitable body and Taim was easy to pinpoint and capture. When Taim was taken from the Aes Sedai he was brought to Shayol Ghul where Shai'tan Distilled his Mind (like we know is possible thanks to Fain) and fed the memories of Taim into what's left of Ishamael's Mind after all the True Power use. Shai'tan then Transmigrated Ishamael's Mind into Taim's body. The Taim we read and heard about before LoC is dead.

Taims true identity after "The Shadow Rising" (also coincidence?) is Ishamael Transmigrated in Taim's body with a little extra bit Shai'tan added. (no need to complicate matters further right now)

 

The Taim we meet in LoC, is now called Moridin.

 

Hints from Perrin:

Here are some hints from Perrins ability to smell stat of minds:

 

Even now his [RANDS] calm was icy, the sort that could hide smoldering rage [Perrin's thought...not smell!], and his scent made Perrin’s skin crawl

…/ /…But Taim . . . He made a show of not caring, folding his arms and looking around the camp with a bored expression, yet his scent was strange, complex. Perrin would have said the man was amused, definitely in a better humor than before. [He smells amused at Rand's anger and distrust at Aes Sedai.]

…/ /…It seemed to catch Taim, as well. The man’s face became a bland mask, yet dark eyes flickered between Rand and Alanna, and the only name Perrin could put to the scent that writhed in his nose was "puzzled." [He smells puzzled by Rand's bond with Alanna.]

…/ /…Rand’s head turned toward Taim. His [TAIMS] face matched any Aes Sedai for giving nothing away, but his scent made Perrin’s ears try to lie back. Razor-sharp rage abruptly vanished in curiosity and caution, the one thin and probing, the other foglike; then slashing, murderous fury consumed both. Rand shook his head just slightly, and his [RANDS] smell became stony determination. Nobody’s scent [TAIMS] changed that fast. Nobody’s.

 

Taim had only his eyes to go by, of course, and all they could tell him was that Rand had shaken his head, if just barely. "Think. You have chosen four Dedicated and four soldiers. You should have Asha’man." Perrin did not understand that; he thought they were all Asha’man.

"You think I can’t teach them as well as you?" Rand’s voice was soft, the whisper of a blade sliding in its sheath.

"I think the Lord Dragon is too busy for teaching," Taim replied smoothly, yet the anger smell rose again. [TAIM] "Too important. Take men who need the least of it. I can choose the furthest along—"

 

"One," Rand cut in. "And I will choose." Taim smiled, spreading his hands in acquiescence, but the scent of frustration nearly overwhelmed anger. Again Rand pointed without looking. "Him." This time, he seemed surprised to find he was pointing directly at a man in his middle years sitting atop an upturned cask on the other side of the wagon circle, paying no attention to the gathering around Rand. Instead, elbow on his knee and chin propped on his hand, he was frowning at the Aes Sedai prisoners. The sword and Dragon glittered on the high collar of his black coat. "What is his name, Taim?"

"Dashiva," Taim said slowly, studying Rand. He smelled even more surprised than Rand did, and irritated, too.

(ACoS, Chapter2 - The Butcher’s Yard)

 

It's the only time Perrin meets "Taim", but the smells comming of Taim are, well... more then a little unsettling. They are puzzling, strange and complex. And then there's that very disturbing bit that RJ writes just so that the scent appears to come from Rand, but I think it's actually the smell coming from Taim. Razor, sharp rage, instantly replaced by foglike caution, then slashing fury consuming it all. It made Perrin's wolf-feeling want to attack (ears tried to lie back) and his evaluation is that 'nobody (human) could have scents / moods change THAT fast. If Rand had experienced those thoughts/ smells -if it's even possible for a human being- why did it state that "the anger smell rose again" in realtion to Taim?

Rand -being a human- couldn't have his smells change that fast like Perrin himself thinks and Taim just being Taim makes absolutely no sense to have thoughts that go with these smells. That's because what Perrin actually smells is what's left of Ishamael's true thoughts (with a little Shai'tan "thought/madness" added in this creature).

 

This extreme fast switches in moods/ thoughts fits very much with what we see Rand experiences around Taim (see quotes below). On top of that, all the barely controlled fury and rage Rand often witnisses in Taim, fits very much with the rage we suddenly see boiling up in Moridin's behaviour when we see him. Moridin’s state-of-mind & ‘Taim's barely controlled rage/ fury fit together:

 

The most remarkable transformation came over the other man. Taim shook visibly—with rage, Rand would have said, not fear—but when the shaking stopped, he was his old self again. Not friendly certainly, a touch mocking, but very much relaxed and in control of himself

(LoC, Chapter 42 - The Black Tower)

 

Rand smiled at him, a hard feral smile. "Add Corlan Dashiva to your list of deserters, Taim. Next time I visit the Black Tower, I expect to see his head on your Traitor’s Tree."

"Dashiva?" Taim snarled, his eyes widening in surprise. "It will be as you say. When next you visit the Black Tower." That quickly, he recovered himself, all polished stone and poise once more. How she [Min] wished she could read her viewings of him.

(TPOD, Chapter 29 - A Cup of Sleep)

 

Fury boiled suddenly in Moridin’s head, and black flecks swam across his eyes as he seized the True Power. Ecstasy that amounted to pain thundered through him.

…/ /…Slowly he set the Fisher back on the board. Slowly his fingers uncurled from around the cour’souvra. There was no need for destruction. Yet. Icy calm replaced rage in the blink of an eye.

(TPOD, Prologue)

 

 

Hints from Lews Therin:

So, what else is there to learn. Well, we have Lews Therin himself!

 

Death rides on my shoulder, Lews Therin muttered. Death walks in my footsteps. I am death.

Shuddering, Rand set his goblet on the table. How much did the Prophecies demand in all those tantalizing hints and grandly roundabout verses?

(LoC, Chapter 17 - The Wheel of a Life)

 

Compare that to:

 

Rand was strolling up the slope with Min on his arm, patting her hand and talking with her. Once he threw back his head and laughed, and she ducked hers to do the same, brushing back dark ringlets that hung to her shoulders. You might have thought him a countryman out with his girl. Except that he had belted on his sword, and sometimes he ran his hand down the long hilt. And except for Taim right at his other shoulder.

…/ /…

Taim shadowed Rand, of course, dark and slightly hook-nosed and what Perrin supposed most women would consider good-looking. A number of the Maidens had certainly given him second looks, and third; they were forward about that sort of thing. As Taim stepped inside, he glanced to Gedwyn, who shook his head just a hair. A grimace flashed across Taim’s face, gone as soon as it appeared

(ACoS, Chapter 2 - The Butcher's Yard)

 

Now I realise these aren't exact matches at all, but -with some poetic liberty RJ uses plenty enough for some foreshadowing- I think it's funny Lews Therin thinks about Death on his shoulder and Death in his footsteps to then have Moridin -Death- disguised as Taim described at Rand's shoulder and moments later described as "shadowing" (wink wink!) Rand as if 'walking in Rand's footsteps'!

 

Next!:

Death, Lews Therin whispered.

Rand forgot everything else.

Death? What do you mean?

Death comes.

What kind of death? Rand demanded. What are you talking about?

Who are you? Where am I?

Rand felt as though a fist had clutched his throat. He had been sure, but . . . this was the first time Lews Therin had said anything to him, something clearly and plainly addressed to him. I am Rand al’Thor. You are inside my head.

Inside . . . ? No! I am myself! I am Lews Therin Telamon! I am meeeeeeeeee! The cry faded away into the distance.

Come back, Rand shouted.

What death? Answer me, burn you!

Silence.

 

He shifted uneasily. Knowing was one thing, but a dead man, inside him, talking of death, made him feel unclean, like the faintest brush of the taint on saidin.

[Lews Therin warns Rand that "Taim" is coming, the Soulless -who is sensed after LTT's warning- is RJ’s way of keeping us from figuring it out too soon]

 

…/ /…That unclean feel was still there, and stronger. Maybe Lews Therin had come back. Silently Rand called to him, but there was still no answer.

…/ /…The door opened gently and he looked up, but saw nothing and returned to the letter, wondering whether he had dug out everything that was in it.

Reading, he rubbed his nose. Lews Therin and his talk of death. Rand could not rid himself of that feel of filth.

[RJ is trying really hard for us to establish a link between the Soulless & LTT’s warning]

 

…/ /…Suddenly everything came together in his head. The door had opened. He was smelling filth, not just feeling it, but it was not really a smell.

…/ /…Rand had to look carefully to see the tall man in a gray coat that neither Maiden saw at all as he glided right by them, dark lifeless eyes fixed on Rand. Even concentrating, Rand found his own gaze wanting to slide past the Gray Man. That was what he was; one of the Shadow’s assassins.

…/ /…Rand wrapped him in coils of Air almost contemptuously. And a wrist-thick bar of fire flashed past his shoulder [Taim his Fire who was there already], burned a hole through the Gray Man’s chest large enough for a fist. The assassin died before he could twitch; his head fell over, and those eyes, no more dead than they had been, stared at Rand.

Dead, whatever had been done to the Gray Man to make him hard to see no longer held. Dead, he suddenly was as visible as anyone else.

…/ /…Taim strolled in completely at ease, wearing a black coat with dragons entwined around the sleeves in blue and gold. Aviendha scrambled to her feet, and despite saidar, her eyes said she was as ready to use her drawn belt knife on Taim as she was to sheathe it. Nandera and Jalani had veiled, and stood poised on their toes, spears ready. Taim ignored them; Rand felt the Power leave the man. Taim did not even seem concerned that saidin still filled Rand. That peculiar almost-smile quirked his lips as he glanced at the dead Gray Man.

"Nasty things, the Soulless." Anybody else would have shivered; not Taim. "I came to your balcony by gateway because I thought you would want to hear the news right away."

"Somebody who learns too fast?" Rand broke in, and Taim flashed that half-smile again.

(LoC, Chapter 28 – Letters)

 

I think my version of what happened in the quote is enough info. I found it very funny that Rand keeps asking Taim to keep an eye out for 'someone who learns too fast', while Ishamael resurrected in front of him is the one that learned too fast. The Dragon Reborn truly is blinded in more way then one.

 

One more quote from LoC with [added info]. This is the quote I like best actually:

 

The Dragons climbing the sleeves of [Taims] black coat glittered in the sunlight; thread-of-gold would do for the one, but what could make the blue shine so? Abruptly [Taim] raised his voice. "Kisman! Rochaid! Drag Torval away and douse him until he wakes. No Healing, mind you. Maybe an aching head will teach him to mind his tongue."

 

Two men in black coats, younger than Rand, came running and bent over Torval, then hesitated, glancing at Taim. After a moment, Rand felt saidin fill them; flows of Air lifted a limp Torval, and the pair trotted away with him floating between them.

 

I should have killed him [Taim] long ago [say, three thousand years ago?], Lews Therin panted. I should have . . . should have . . . there was a stretching toward the Source.

No, burn you! Rand thought. No, you don’t! You’re only a bloody voice! With a

fading wail Lews Therin fled.

Rand took a slow breath. Taim was looking at him, wearing that almost-smile.

…/ /…I will kill him,[Taim] Lews Therin shouted, and Rand felt that fumbling reach toward saidin.

Go away, he said firmly. The fumbling continued, and so did the voice.

I will kill him, [Taim] and then them. [Kisman, Rochaid & Torval] They must serve him. It is plain; they must serve him. [and Lews Therin is right ; they are new Dreadlords]

Go away, Rand shouted back silently. You are nothing but a voice! Stretching toward the Source.

Oh, Light, I killed them all. All that I loved [see Prologue]. If I kill him, [Taim] it will be well, though. I can make it up, if I kill him [Taim] finally. [this only makes sense if Ishamael is Taim] No, nothing can make up [for killing all that I loved], but I must kill him anyway. Kill them all.[All the Dreadlords] I must. I must.

No! Rand screamed inside his head. You’re dead, Lews Therin. I am alive, burn you, and you are dead! You are dead!

Abruptly he realized he was leaning on the table, holding himself up with sagging knees. And muttering, "You are dead! I am alive, and you are dead!" But he had not seized saidin. And neither had Lews Therin. Shivering, he looked at Taim and was surprised to see concern on the man’s face

(LoC, Chapter 42 - The Black Tower)

 

Also RJ humor for you, is the fact that -while Rand is wrongly referring to LTT's mindtrapped personality- he's actually saying to "Taim" (Moridin) that "You are dead! I am alive, and you are dead!". That right there, is brilliant RJ humor for you!

Now, let's move on to Min....

 

 

Hints from Min:

 

"Did you see anything, Min?" Rand said.

…/ /…

Settling her feet beneath her, [Min] looked up at Rand. Now that she was laughing again, she seemed radiant. That held even after she became serious. Serious, and not very pleased. "As for your question, nothing of any use. Taim has blood in his past and blood in his future, but you could guess that.

He’s a dangerous man.

They seem to be gathering images like Aes Sedai." A sidelong look through lowered eyelashes at Dashiva and the other Asha’man said who she meant. Most people had few images around them, but Min said Aes Sedai and Warders always did. "The problem is, what I can see is all blurry. I think it’s because they’re holding the Power. That often seems true with Aes Sedai, and it’s worse when they’re actually channeling. Kiruna and that lot have all sorts of things around them, but they stay so close together that it all . . . well . . . jumbles together most of the time. It’s even muddier with the prisoners."

"Never mind the prisoners," Rand told her. "That’s what they’ll stay."

"But Rand, I keep feeling there is something important, if I could only pick it out. You need to know."

" ‘If you don’t know everything, you must go on with what you do know,’ " Rand quoted wryly. "It seems I never do know everything. Hardly enough, most of the time. But there’s no choice but to go on, is there." That was not at all a question.

(ACoS, Chapter 2 - The Butcher’s Yard)

 

The very important thing that Min fails to pick out is that she SAW that "Taim" has blood in his past! How the hell could Min see the past when she can only see the future!? That's what she missed... and she missed because -as she herself states- "but you could guess Taim had blood in his past".

She just didn't guess it or thought of it, she saw it!

 

RJ clearly states several times that Min sees future:

Q8: The auras that Min sees, would they ever show the person’s past or other elements that are simply unique to that person?

RJ: No, it is the future.

"Min sees images surrounding people who are important in the Pattern. She often cannot interpret what they mean, but they foretell future events and they always come true. Ta'veren always have images. Aes Sedai and their Warders nearly always have images as do the Asha'man. She never sees images around Ogier. Images of channelers are blurry when they hold the One Power, especially when they are actually channeling. If they are stilled, Aes Sedai no longer have constant auras."

 

So, what did we -readers- see here? A mistake? Or is there another explanation?

We readers know there is only one being asociated with the absence of Time -the absence of everything actually- and that is Shai'tan.

So what did Min see? Did she not see a normal man, like the original Taim would be? Did she see someone so deep in the Shadow, that Time -The Wheels weaving- itself gets distorted. To me, it's the only plausable explanation that fit's with what Lews Therin tries to warn about and what Perin's unique smelling ability point at;

"Taim" is actually Moridin, a vile creature with a distinct connection to Shai'tan.

 

 

Ofcourse our one true Aes Sedai -Robert Jordan- had to asnwer a lot of questions about Taim. And once you realise it's actually not Taim, but Ishamael ressurected in a nasty way, you see funny hints in his answers:

 

Hints fro RJ:

 

From wotmania faq:

Demandred's whereabouts are still unknown, although the theories have been piling up. The good, the bad, and the downright bizarre. Until recently, a vocal majority claimed he was disguised as Mazrim Taim, but this was disproved by Robert Jordan in the Q&A section on the official Tor website (see Tor Question of the Week FAQ):

Question: At recent book signing following the release of Crossroads of Twilight, it was reported that you confirmed that the Forsaken Demandred has never posed as the man known as Mazrim Taim, who was introduced to Rand at the beginning of Lord of Chaos. Have you confirmed that Demandred has never posed as the man known as Mazrim Taim, leader of the Black Tower?

 

Robert Jordan Answers:Yes. Demandred has never posed as Mazrim Taim. All right, those of who fell over from the shock of a simple, straightforward answer can get up off the floor now. Sometimes, simple and straightforward can be the most devious of all, as any student of Aes Sedai will tell you. <Maniacal laughter from the shadows!>

He pointed straight at Moridin right there. Devious, Mr Jordan! I salute you!

 

For Linda Sedai, Rand misjudges Taim's age because when they meet, you might say Taim has been rode hard and put away wet. He has just finished a long and difficult flight to reach Caemlyn, the one place where he might find refuge instead of being hunted -- along with other reasons -- and that has a wearing effect on anyone. Now that he has recovered, he doesn't look so old.

Recovered from Transmigration allright. RJ -with his Aes Sedai triickery- would hide Transmigration as a 'long and difficult flight that requires quite a bit of recovering' and you could certainly say that the original Taim 'had been rode hard and put away wet'. *laughs*

Note that 'being rode hard and put away wet' are passive things; actions that happen to you...not that you choose to do, like fleeing or moving. It certainly implies that the original Taim had no say in what happened to him after he was 'taken ..in the night'.

 

On a lighter note, I understand that some of you are unhappy with the pronunciation of Taim's name. Sorry, guys, but it is tah-EEM, not tame. Never tame. Not that one.

Not that one, no! Moridin is allll about rage and fury! Tame? Never that one!

 

 

3. Ishamael's promise: the one true "BladeMaster"

 

Yes, Betrayer of Hope. So have men named me, just as they named you Dragon, but unlike you I embrace the name. They gave me the name to revile me, but I will yet make them kneel and worship it

(TEotW, Prologue)

 

As with so much in the Wheel of Time, it all comes back to the Prologue of the first book; "Dragonmount".

Ishamael promises that 'he will make men kneel and worship the name they gave to revile him'

 

Now here's how:

 

"Walk the edge with them," he told Taim. "Teach them as much as they can learn as fast as they can learn it."

Taim’s mouth tightened slightly at Rand’s first words. "As much as they can learn," he said flatly. "But what? Things that can be used as weapons, I suppose."

"Weapons," Rand agreed: they had to be weapons, all of them, himself included.

Could weapons allow themselves families? Could a weapon allow itself to love? Now, where had that come from? "Anything they can learn, but that most of all."

(LoC, Chapter 3 – A Woman’s Eyes)

 

"Taim" proposes that they'd be weapons.

 

"You need a name. In the Old Tongue, Aes Sedai means Servants of All, or something very close. The Old Tongue doesn’t translate easily." For himself, he knew only a few words, some from Asmodean, a handful from Moiraine, some that had seeped through from Lews Therin. Bashere had provided what he needed, though. "Another word in the Old Tongue is asha’man. It means guardian, or guardians. Or defender, and maybe a couple of other things; I told you, the Old Tongue is very flexible.

(LoC, Chapter 42 - The Black Tower)

"…the M’hael teaches Traveling as soon as a student shows himself strong enough."

"The M’Hael?" Rand said, blinking.

"The Lord Mazrim Taim’s title, my Lord Dragon. It means ‘leader.’ In the Old Tongue." The fellow’s [Dashiva/Osan’gar] smile managed to be nervous and patronizing at the same time

(ACoS, Chapter 2 - The Butcher's Yard)

 

Making ‘weapons’…. that cracks me up!

Time after time Mat's Ashandarei is described as a spear with a blade. Now it's never translated as such, but we know darei means spear. I'd like to suggest we deduct from that that Ashan refers to the short blade attached to the top. It's a logical deduction that when one part of the words refers to one part of the object (name darei/ spear part), the other part of the word refers to the other part of the object. (name ashan/ blade part)

 

What's also nice to conider that there are known words that refer to weapons like Mandarb and Manshima, that mean 'Blade' and 'Sword'.

Now regardless of what Rand knows (but mostly doesn't know) about the Old Tongue at that point in the story, that "Taim" doesn't want Guardians! He wants 'Weapons'...and that's the secret reason why they are named Asha'man. It directly refers to being a weapon, to a man being a blade/sword!

 

And, like RJ told us at the beginning of the story, Ishamael would make men kneel and worship the name they once gave him!

 

Moridin himself is the M'hael, a title nervously translated to 'Leader' by Osan'gar.

We've seen the books describe that title pulled together for know dreadlords (tsorovan'm'hael etc.)

 

Now combine the Leader of the Blades.... what do you get?

 

Asha'm'hael

 

Moridin, the one true "Blademaster", who kept his promise to Lews Therin to have men kneel and worship the name men gave to revile him; Ishamael.

 

 

 

If you made it to the end without frying your brain or laughing histerically. Congratz!

Sing your Screams! Scream for your salvation!

*Mik fades into the shadows*

[Niel an' Tyomn]

What a recap!!!

 

I´m thinking about Logain/Narishma. Who is going to be the hero? Logain should be the one that saves the Black Tower but what is Narishma´s role? Take over after Rand? In what way? Hm...

 

What about the new tower that Elaida was building? Will it be the new home of the asha´mans?

 

Pevara - I love that we finally get to see a Red hero. At least I think she will be one together with Androl and the Two River boys.

 

For the whole bodyswap theory .... Narishma might do it?

 

Yeah I'm pretty sure Pevara will help. And the Two River boys are most likely going to use their bows and arrows for some awesomeness!

[Niel an' Tyomn]

Mik that was AWESOME ....

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

seriously, and I even followed it. which... lotta words for a tainted mind.

 

logains glory, did I miss that?

[yoniy0]

Thanks, y'all.

 

What about the new tower that Elaida was building? Will it be the new home of the asha´mans?

Oh, I forgot about that one. Yes, some use would have to be found for that building. Because of the reasons I mentioned above, though, I'm skeptical of it serving as a home of male channelers. Perhaps it would do better as headquarters for some other female channeling-organization, such as the Kin, the Windfinders, or the Aiel WO.

 

do we know who left callandor in the stone to begin with?

We've seen Callandor through Jonai's eyes, with several AS (among them Solinda, Oselle and Deindre), when Rand went through the columns in Rhuidean. I'd guess that they are responsible for relocating it.

 

I think it is possible that the battle of the BT may have happened but will not be reported until later. The timelines of the individual arcs are sometimes not told concurrently.

Very possible, as we're missing about two weeks there, but note that the Dreamspike is still operating on the night before the meeting at the Field of Merillor. That's the night Perrin planned to investigate the matter in tel'aran'rhiod, the night Rand had his dream about Cyndane, the night Caemlyn was attacked,

and the night Rand and Perrin got together and discussed their adventures since TSR

 

 

Mik! Of course, how could I have forgotten who it was that advocated Taimidin so vocally? Just note that the BT was hardly the only place heating up during LoC (Rand thinks about this 'global warming' in his first scene with Selande), and by ToM all of Randland is in a sorry state of affairs.

[Tiinker]

Are there any RJ quotes about how the things are going to look after the Last Battle? I'd really hate an ending which deletes channeling from the world.

[yoniy0]

Well, the last word of AMoL will probably be "time" (which is too bad, 'cause "I win again, Lews Therin" would've been awesome ). There was this one rumor that he confirmed that the last scene features Mat and Aviendha gazing at a vista, but no one who supposedly heard it was able to tell me where it originated, so eventually I gave up. He also once said that there's nothing special about this turning of the Wheel, meaning that we won't probably see a shift to linear time (but, then, he said that Fain has side-stepped the Pattern, so make of it what you will).

 

But that's everything I can think of. I share your dislike of the idea, though, Tiinker. Channeling is too cool; why would we ever want that to stop?

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

maybe not stop... but forget again.

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

it seems like the way technology is being rediscovered (i always reference canticle for liebowitz here but i get the feeling noone's read it...) the kind of magic on which the world runs is changing..

[Mik]

Mik!

Hoi yon!

 

Nice post there, man. It's been awhile, I know, I know. But well.. Real Life takes it's toll on the likes of me. It's these holiday weeks, that I can mix in some Dragonmount time.

 

Of course, how could I have forgotten who it was that advocated Taimidin so vocally?

You didn't actually mean you had forgotten did you!? When aMoL comes out, I want you guys to slap your foreheads and think "Oh my God...he was right! ;)

 

Just note that the BT was hardly the only place heating up during LoC (Rand thinks about this 'global warming' in his first scene with Selande), and by ToM all of Randland is in a sorry state of affairs.

I mentioned that in the theory. That's why the real source of the trouble -Moridin- falls under the radar for so long. I mentioned it here and there earlier, and usually the responce was "Shai'tan messed with the weather, you foo"...

Given what Androl tells us -and how far it's from where the farm started- I'd say that's not a valid reason anymore... and given all the info we had up front, it was foolish to think it was actually the weather to start with.

 

Ah well..... aMoL will have all the unbelievers claw their own eyes out and bite off their tongues. And then they will Sing their Screams! So sweet! I can almost hear it already! Sing Suttree, Sing!

 

Mik that was AWESOME ....

I know, I know! .uhh..I mean, thank you! There is much more ofcourse, but I wouldn't want to destroy the Pattern by spilling it all in one go.

[Mrs. Cindy Gill]

we can handle broken reality here, much better than anywhere else.

 

and you'll find very few theory trolls in the tower. they were given final mercy...

[Niniel]

It´s obvious that Jordan/Sanderson want us to believe that Taim is Moridin/has something to do with Moridin in the latest books. I understand the theory that he is Moridin, and I wouldn´t be surprised if it´s right but it would feel wrong. Moridin is one of my favourites and Taim is just ... arrogant. It feels wrong that he would order the other forsaken to take care of Rand/not take care of Rand when he is the one closest to him himself. And why put Darshiva in the BT as well? Isn´t it enough with one forsaken?

[randomh3r0]

I don't think Moridin could be Taim. There's things that could speak towards that possibility, but the actions are everything. Taim is arrogant: Moridin is almost sanguine in his confidence, a stark contrast I believe. Taim is building himself something he thinks will last through the LB, while Moridin is doing all this to break the Wheel and not have to live anymore. And Rand's connection with Moridin, almost like his connection to Mat and Perrin, always shows Moridin's true face, like he did in Shadar Logoth. I don't think Moridin would bother parading around as someone else, especially one who had to bow and scrape to Rand for so long earlier on.

 

I agree with TinaHel, it'd just kinda... feel wrong, to me. I think Moridin will either end up in more of a philisophical debate with Rand, who has already started referring to him as Elan, working the angle of using logic against logic. They are as two old friends when meeting in the dream, able to just sit there and talk by the fire. This all speaks totally wrong for Taim, in my mind. But I could be wrong too.