DRAGONMOUNT

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog! I hope you all had a good couple of weeks whether or not you observed a religious celebration, had a holiday, or if life went on as normal! This week we are going to talk about something I got into over the winter holiday season, a BBC television series called Sherlock. It is a modern day adaptation of the character Sherlock Holmes, created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 1800's and early 1900's, and the plot lines throughout the series often hold subtle homage to the plot lines of the original novels.     This is different from your ordinary television series in a couple of ways. Firstly, the seasons are very short, only 3 episodes each. Noticeably as well, the main actors are very well known for television work. Sherlock Holmes himself is portrayed very well by none other than Benedict Cumberbatch who has appeared in more than one high profile movie recently, notably Star Trek: Into Darkness. And his companion Dr. Watson is equally well depicted by Martin Freeman who you may recognize as Bilbo Baggins from The Hobbit. I won't spoil any of the series for you, but it is intelligent, witty, personable, and it's adaptation into a modern day setting is well done. As a childhood reader of Conan Doyle's works, I am satisfied with this rendition of the characters and settings, whereas with the feature films of Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law, whilst reasonable movies, I felt were not really true to the original works and would have been better served as their own animal. Give it a go and see what you think! It isn't my favorite series ever, there are several that come to mind that I enjoyed much more (perhaps a future article on that!) but I would recommend it as worth a watch. I understand there is also an American take in the same character on-going presently called Elementary, but I have not seen it and have heard mixed opinions on it so far. That's all for now! Have fun! Until next time, friends!   (image by allegator) (Editor's Note: Season 3 of Sherlock premiered in the UK on January 1st, 2014.  For US viewers, the season will begin on PBS on January 19th, 2014.)

This week, we have a few more filk songs sent in by Semirhage and Ishamael.     Chosen Christmas List (2005)   By: Semirhage and Ishamael    Semirhage wants 13 Aes Sedai to torture and turn. Ishamael just wants someone else's eyes to burn. Demandred wants the head of the Dragon Reborn under his tree. To own Callandor is Osan'gar's only Christmas plea. Aran'gar only wants to be a man, Moghedien would like a place to hide for as long as she can. Graendal, of course, wants another pretty pet. Mesaana will take what ever she can get. Cyndane wants to be tall. Will the Great Lord grant any of these at all?       The Chosen XMAS Song (2012) By Semirhage and Ishamael   The Dragon is roasting on an open fire Trollocs nipping at his nose Yuletide carols being sung by Darkfriends And Gray Men dressed up like Eskimos Everybody knows an angreal and the Dominion Rod Help to make the season bright Mesaana's tots with their eyes all aglow Will find it hard to sleep tonight They know that The Great Lord's on his way He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh And every Black Sister is gonna spy To see if Draghkar really know how to fly And so I'm offering this simple phrase To my  Chosen and all of you Although its been said Many times, many ways Merry Christmas to you... *music* {10 stanzas}   Ishamael, Lord of the  Chosen       Based on Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" From the point-of-view of the Dark One By Charlotte You got to know when to grovel, Know when to worship, Know when to hit the floor, And know when to pray. You never count your blessings, When you're in the Great Lord's presence. They'll be time enough for counting, When the pain is done.

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, chapters 10 - 13.    Synopsis: Chapter 10, "Leavetaking"   Rand, Mat, and Lan all go into the stableyard where Perrin is standing guard.  Lan asks if Perrin checked the area and Perrin says he has.  Lan sets to work saddling horses.  Mat notices that Rand is wearing Tams sword, and makes a joke about it.  Perrin also has a weapon, an axe made by Master Luhhan.  The boys talk about whether to believe Moiraine's claim that the Trollocs are after them.  Rand confirms that she told the truth about their homes being burned first.  When Rand mentions his father also agreeing that they had to leave, Moiraine appears suddenly and questions him.  Mat and Perrin swear they only left notes, as instructed.   Lan tells them they are ready to go when Egwene comes into the stableyard, insisting she will go along with them.  After some argument, Moiraine says Egwene can accompany them.  Lan says she can take Thom's horse, when Thom pops out of the hayloft and says he will travel with them as well.  After more discussion, Thom is allowed to go.  They choose Bela as a horse for Egwene.   They sneak out of the stable and into the night.  They pause as mounted riders—the organized watch discussed before Winternight—ride past.  They go quietly through the outskirts of the village; Rand constantly looks about, holding on to the last images of Emond's Field.    Traveling through the countryside, parallel to the North Road, Rand see a shape in front of the moon, something like a bat.  He tells Lan, who calls it a Draghkar.  Wanting speed, Moiraine directs them to the North Road at a gallop.   Chapter 11, "The Road to Taren Ferry"   The group races up the North Road.  Rand didn't anticipate running at such speeds, and begins to worry about Egwene and Bela.  The old horse surely couldn't keep up with this pace for long.  He vows to drop back if Egwene slows.  He silently cheers Bela on, trying to give her strength, asking the Light for help.   Lan slows them down and Rand sees in surprise that they are already to Watch Hill.  The villagers and Thom discuss resting in the village, but Lan only gives them a moment to catch their breath.  Moiraine circles the horses, draining their fatigue with the One Power.  When she gets to Bela, she tells Rand that the old mare has a good heart, and is the least weary of them all.   The Draghkar's scream fills the night, and the horses spook.  Rand barely holds onto Cloud's reigns.  They mount up and run.  As they run, Rand notices sudden banks of fog appearing around them.  Rand suspects Moiraine must have used the One Power to summon it.  The riders clump together, still running at full speed.    After several hours, Lan slows them again.  They are in Taren Ferry.  The houses are strange to Rand's eyes.  The Warder leads the group to the ferry owner, then makes a deal with him to carry the group across the river.  Master Hightower agrees to meet them at the landing.   Chapter 12, "Across the Taren"   They take their horses to the ferry landing.  Following the examples of Thom and Lan, Rand tries to make himself look more intimidating.  Hightower appears with his workers and demands the money promised.  Lan informs the man he will receive it on the other side of the river.  As they cross, Rand asks Lan if Hightower would rob them.  Lan comments on human nature, that men are more likely to do bad things if their deeds are hidden.  This makes Rand worry about Darkfriends.   On the opposite bank, Hightower wants his gold.  Moiraine says each worker will also receive a silver mark.  The men walk off the ferry.  As Lan hands out coins, Moiraine looks at the river.  Suddenly, the ferry comes lose, and is sucked into the water by a whirlpool.  Moiraine apologize that they lost their ferry in her service and has Lan pay the man more money.  Hightower takes the coins, then rushes into the fog.    The fog ends a few feet up the bank.  Thom wonders why Moiraine didn't make the fog extend all the way to Baerlon.  Moiraine explains that this will trick the Draghkar into thinking they have taken a boat up or down river.   Mat finally works up the courage to ask Moiraine if she caused the whirlpool.  She only says that she intends to get them all safely to Tar Valon.   Lan had prepared a campsite along the bank on their way to the Two Rivers.  After hobbling the horses, they go inside a small covered area.  Moiraine and Egwene are speaking about the One Power, and a bit about the Red Ajah and insane male channelers.  Moiraine tells Egwene that she is one of a handful of people who will channel the One Power whether she wishes to or not.  She is also close to her change, and it would be better if Moiraine guided her in it.  The Aes Sedai pulls out her blue stone and holds it between their hands.  Small lights flash off the stone.  Egwene produced the last light on her own.  She rushes to Rand, proclaiming she will be an Aes Sedai.   Chapter 13, "Choices"   Before going to sleep, Moiraine uses the Power to drain the fatigue out of all the travelers.  Thom tries to pull away, but Moiraine forces him.  They rest for an hour, then remount and continue on their way.  They travel north, taking great pains to avoid towns, farms, or people.  Their first night, Lan begins to teach the boys how to use their weapons.  Moiraine tells him to continue the lessons.  Thom entertains them at nights with juggling and stories.    Two days after they leave the river, Egwene unbraids her hair.  She and Rand shout at each other, and Rand says Aes Sedai are Darkfriends.  Lan quiets them down, and Rand realizes he said more than he should have.   Two nights after that, Mat suggests that they head south once they reach Caemlyn, instead of going to Tar Valon.  Moiraine heard him, and threatens the boys.  She would rather kill them herself than let the Dark One have them.    Another night, Rand sneaks close to listen to Egwene's and Moiraine's nightly chats.  The two women talk about the male Aes Sedai who went insane, and of the taint on saidin.  Moiraine accidently lets slip that someone else in Emond's Field can learn to channel.  Moiraine tells Egwene that Aes Sedai are both good and bad, strong and weak, brave and cowardly.  The Power will not change who she is.  Egwene then asks why the Trollocs came to the Two Rivers.  Moiraine's eyes look to Rand's hiding spot, and he quickly, and quietly leaves the area.    After a week, they arrive at Baerlon.  The city has a twenty-foot high wall surrounding it.  The Emond's Fielders gape at it and Thom rolls his eyes.  Moiraine instructs them not to talk about Trollocs or Fades.  She warns them that Darkfriends may be in the city, so they need to be careful.   They approach a small, closed gate, and the gatekeeper hurries to open it for them.  He tells them of a battle between Aes Sedai and the False Dragon in Ghealdan—and that the man can channel and is heading for Tear.  He also says Whitecloaks are in the city.  Rand asks Thom what heading for Tear would mean, and Thom explains about The Karaethon Cycle.  The Prophecies of the Dragon state that the Stone of Tear will only fall when the Sword That Cannot Be Touched is held by the Dragon.   The group goes down an alley and enters into the back entrance of an inn.  The innkeeper, Master Fitch, rushes out and welcomes them to the Stag and Lion.     My take: In all honesty, not much happens in these few chapters.  This is the calm before the storm unleashes.  As far as pacing goes, I think Robert Jordan used this time intentionally to lull us—like Mat—into a false sense of security.  Moiraine warns repeatedly of the danger, but our wayward heroes often disregard her advice (like when they get to Shadar Logoth).   One curious thing about the trip across the river, Moiraine tells Lan that they don't want to stand out in Master Hightower's mind.  However, their actions are very suspicious.  When Lan doesn't put away his coins, he lets on that he knew more than he should have.  When Moiraine insists they pay the man before he could demand it makes them seem like they're scheming.  The situation could have been handled better, I think.   I also think it's funny that Mat already has an aversion to the Power being used on him.  The other two ta'veren quickly get over this fear.  Mat keeps it till the very end.  I like that, despite how much he does grow, some of his roots are still the same.   Moiraine's character also changes a lot over these chapters.  Our first impression of her is of a kind noblewoman, who hands out coins to children in town with a ready smile.  Next, we see her as a figure of power, regal despite her soot stained clothes, as she Heals Tam.  Here, we see her merciless and far beyond the typical Aes Sedai coldness:   Knowing what we know now, we are outraged at this flippant disregard for the Pattern.  What would have happened if she tried to kill Rand?  But, at the time, she only has clues about who, or what, they are.  Would it be better if Rand were killed than turned towards the Shadow?  The Borderland rulers seem to agree with Moiraine's way of thinking when they approach him to fulfill the prophecy (Towers of Midnight, Chapter 51, "A Testing").   There's also the use of Moiraine's passive aggressive way of bullying:   A lot of Rand's inner confusion stems from these few simple words.  How long did he fight against things, struggled against the Pattern itself, because he felt he had no choice?  We know he did.  We saw how many choices he had when he used the Portal Stone in The Great Hunt (Chapter 37, "What Might Be").  Moiraine, I feel, only spoke the truth as she saw it, yet I think this had unexpected consequences for Rand, and his relationship with her in the future.     One last thing to pull out from this section.  One thing I've always disliked about Mat's character in the beginning is how quickly he turns away from Rand when he finds out Rand can channel.  That told me that Rand wasn't a true friend of Mat; true friendship accepts no matter what.  And I was moved to tears when at the end of The Eye of the World Egwene only hesitates a moment before throwing her arms around Rand when she finds out he can channel.  The two contrasted so greatly.   However, on this reread, I wanted to pay attention to the opposite side of the argument.  How did Rand react when he found out Egwene could channel?  The scene where she finds out is quickly cut—the chapter ends right after she tells him.  However, in the next chapter, Rand and Egwene have the argument about her hair being braided:   He realized he hadn't talked to her in two days, since he found out she could channel?  I was incredibly disappointed!  I always thought better of Rand.  I thought he would be the type to accept others as they are, not take Mat's way of isolation.   But I was wrong.  It did take Rand time to come to terms with Egwene channeling the Power.  I think the only one of the bunch who wasn't put out at all was be Perrin.  Likewise, he doesn't really judge Rand when he finds out in The Great Hunt.     That's all I've got for these chapters, but let me know if there's something I overlooked.  Join us next time when the storm (Nynaeve) unleashes its fury on our travelers.  Thanks for reading.

Happy New Year! Hopefully, the Wheel’s turning from 2013 to 2014 has been safe and happy for us all. With the holiday season behind us, and a new year beginning, it is time for another exciting edition of Dragonmount’s Weekly Roundup!   The Band of the Red Hand is preparing to discuss the Horn of Valere in A Memory of Light. Note that spoilers are not allowed yet, but the thread has started to prepare those interested in the discussion to begin talking about the Horn and its place within the Wheel of Time series.   The Kin are discussing motivational quotes and phrases. Is there an image, a quote, or some saying that motivates you? Share it with the Kin, and join the thread to learn more phrases that inspire.   Do you know some really neat trivia? Can you relate it to the Ogier or any other Wheel of Time Culture? The Ogier now have a trivia battle!   In Shayol Ghul, the Forsaken have taken over and are plotting the new reign for the new year. Plans include ruining resolutions, Cursing the New Year, and turning the baby New Year to the Dark One.   In the White Tower and Warders, the White and Brown Ajahs have combined forces to host an Olympic Carnival! Discussions include an opening ceremony and ball, knowledge about Sochi, Russia, a lodge for discussion, a forum signature contest, and a Winter Dessert contest.   To round out the social groups, the Wolfkin are discussing how long it is acceptable to live in pajamas.   Finally, an update from the Dragonmount Twitter Feed: Remember, you can get daily updates on Dragonmount and Wheel of Time related news by subscribing to Dragonmount’s Twitter and Facebook pages!   Please remember to sign into your social groups and have a fantastic New Year!

It's January and that means awards season is upon us. The biggest award in science fiction and fantasy literature is the Hugo Award, awarded by the members of the World Science Fiction Society at the annual WorldCon. The Hugos are often described as "the Oscars of speculative fiction." They are one of our oldest awards, being granted since the 1950's. Brandon Sanderson won the award in 2013 for his novella, The Emperor's Soul and many other significant writers have won this award as well. Notable Hugo winners include Robert Heinlein, Lois McMaster Bujold, Orson Scott Card, Kurt Vonnegut, and Anne McCaffery. It's truly the highest achievement that an author can obtain and perhaps the most meaningful, as the Hugos are not awarded by a jury or committee, but rather by a direct vote of the members of the World Science Fiction Society.    Who is the World Science Fiction Society? It's one of the oldest, if not THE oldest fan club for science fiction and fantasy fans in the world. It's made up of thousands of fans like you and me, as well as writers, artists and editors and other professionals in the field. In short, these are the people who care about science fiction and fantasy and want to see more quality work done in this area. WSFS has been in existence since the very first WorldCon, held in 1939. Anyone can become a member of WSFS by paying the membership fee, which can include entrance to that year's WorldCon.    LonCon, the 72nd annual WorldCon, will take place in London this year. The members of that convention will award Hugos for works published, broadcast or otherwise made available during the 2013 calendar year. This includes A Memory of Light, the final book in the Wheel of Time series. As an active member of WSFS, I'm very excited at the prospect of being able to nominate this book and honor my favorite author and the amazing literary achievement that is the Wheel of Time. But...   In re-reading the WSFS Constitution recently, I saw this clause in the Hugo eligibility rules:     Simply put, because no portion of The Wheel of Time has ever been nominated for a Hugo, the entire series became eligible as a single work when it was completed. I've contacted the Hugo Administrators for this year and they declined to rule on this interpretation, preferring to wait and see if the nominations received require one. So if more folks nominate just A Memory of Light, that will make the ballot. If more nominate for the entire series, then the series will be listed. If it doesn't make a difference either way, then they won't need to rule.    There's a precedent for this interpretation, though not quite on this scale. Black Out and All Clear, a duology by Connie Willis was nominated and won in 2011 for Best Novel. The first season of A Game of Thrones was nominated as a whole, and won in the Best Dramactic Presentation-Long Form category in 2012. So not only do we have the opportunity to honor one of the most significant fantasy authors, but also to make Hugo history.    Oh yeah. We. As I mentioned before, the Hugos are an entirely democratic process. There is no jury or committee. Anyone, including you, can participate in the process. All you have to do is register as either an Attending or Supporting member of this year's WorldCon. Attending membership is just that. You plan to attend the convention and your membership includes all WorldCon and WSFS publications, attendance at the convention and voting rights for the Hugos and WorldCon Site Selection. Supporting membership is usually significantly cheaper and includes just voting rights and publications. Both categories of membership include access to the Hugo Voter Packet, which in past years has included electronic copies of all or most Hugo nominated works that year. This ensures that all voters have the opportunity to read and fairly evaluate all the works before completing their ballots.    If you'd like to participate in the nomination process, you need to be a Supporting or Attending member by January 31st. Attending membership is currently US $185. Supporting is US $ 40. You can register at the LonCon website, as well as read more information about the Hugos, WSFS and WorldCon.    Even if you don't think that Robert Jordan deserves a Hugo for his work on the Wheel of Time, I still invite you to join WSFS. Its a truly international organization of fans and being a member connects you to a much wider world of fandom with rich traditions and stories. Voting in the Hugos is an incredible privilege and one that I encourage you to take advantage of, regardless of who you plan to nominate or vote for. 

Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Review. This review might contain a few spoilers.   Domain by Steve Alten   Synopsis: The story is based on the Mayan prophecy that the world would end in 2012.   Dominique Vasquez is a psychologist transferred to the case of Michael Gabriel. Her superiors think she is new and easily manipulated and would help in their motive of keeping in their care. But Michael Gabriel spent years with his father, Julius Gabriel, researching about the end of the world. He is convinced that the world would end unless he does something. But he is kept under psychologists so he cannot escape. He sees hope in Dominique as she believes he can get well and works to get him out of that institution but even she does not believe his talk about the world's end.   But things take a turn when mysterious things start happening. Things hidden for thousands of years awaken and wreck havoc. Dominique can believe Michael and try to get him out while being chased by people in powerful positions.   This book is followed by Resurrection and Phobos.    Pros: This book provides an interesting look at 2012. This book was first published in 2001 and it's interesting to see in which areas we have developed and in which we have not.   I have had experience with some other fiction on the Mayan prophecy of the world's end and to be honest I find this to be the best among them.   The facts are quite thoroughly researched. If you have ever heard about ancient alien conspiracy theories, you might get the references.   Cons: It is written in present tense. I find it difficult to read books written in present tense. I won't notice it for a while but once I do, it doesn't stop bugging me.   If you keep up with the series, the timeline gets difficult to follow. By Phobos, there has been so much of past-present-future-past-future that you start losing sense of what is happening when.   My Rating: For only this book (not taking into account the rest of the books in the series), I will give it a rating of 4/5.   If you are interested in reading this book, you can buy it here from Dragonmount's eBook store.

Here is another holiday filk song by Semirhage and Ishamael.     A XMAS Wish From Demandred (2009)Composed by Sem and Ishamael Channeling Demandred... Too much eggnog? Is there ever too much Eggnog?     Have a holly jolly ChristmasIt's the best time of the year Well I do fear the Last Battle's near But have a cup of cheer. Have a holly jolly Christmas And when you walk down the street Say hello to Darkfriends you know And everyone you meet. Oh there is Dragonmount, big where you can seeThe Dragon waits for you Kill him once for me! Have a holly jolly ChristmasAnd in case you didn't hear Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas This year.   Have a holly jolly ChristmasAnd when you walk down the street Say hello to Myrddraal you know And every Trolloc you meet. Ho ho, the mistletoe hung where you can seeSemirhage waits to torture you, kiss her once for me. Have a holly jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't hearOh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas This year.   MERRY XMAS TO ALL AND HAPPY HIDING TO FAIN! ~Demandred

This is the first in a short series of filk songs written by Semirhage and her husband, Ishamael.  They are published authors, under their pen names Ciaran and Coal Corby, and host several Yahoo writing groups.      The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve. You can say there's no such thing as Santa, But as for me and Semi, we believe.   He'd been drinkin' too much eggnog, And they'd begged him not to go. But being drunk only enhanced his madness, So he stumbled out the door into the snow.   When they found him Christmas mornin', At the scene of the attack, There were hoof prints on his forehead, And incriminatin' Claus marks on his back.   R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve. (On his way home) You can say there's no such thing as Santa, (Say there's no Santa) But as for me and Semi, we believe. (Great Lord, we believe)   Now we're all so proud of Cauthon, He's been takin' this so well. See him in there watchin' Gleemen, Drinkin' beer and playin' stones with Barid Bel.   It's not Christmas for them in Caemlyn. All the nobility's dressed in black. And they just can't help but wonder: Should they open up his gifts or send them back?   R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve. (Midnight before Christmas) You can say there's no such thing as Santa, (Say there's no Santa) But as for me and Semi, we believe. (Great Lord, we believe)   Now the goose is on the table And the pudding made of fig. And a blue and silver candle that we can light the Dragon's pyre with! The queen has warned all her friends and neighbors. "Better watch out for yourselves. They should never give a license, To a man who drives a sleigh and plays with elves."   R: The Dragon got runned over by a reindeer Walking home from Caemlyn Christmas Eve. (Minding his own business) You can say there's no such thing as Santa, (What do you mean there's no Santa?) But as for me and Semi, we believe. (Great Lord, we believe)   Oh As for me and Semi, we believe. (We believe in Santa Claus.)

Hello, friends! The Wheel has turned all the way around to Thursday again, which means two things: the weekend is not too far away, and it's time for our Rotating Features blog!   Are you a huge, mega, massive Wheel of Time fan? Oh, yeah?! What do you have to prove it?   In case you're wondering what I'm referring to, it's Wheel of Time merchandise! The internet is full of various Wheel of Time related things for purchase. A little while ago you may remember we discussed where you could procure a heron-marked sword, should you so desire (and if you don't desire, why on earth not?!)   There is so much more available though. One leading Wheel of Time merchandise website I wanted to bring to your attention is Ta'veren Tees.   As you would expect, they sell Wheel of Time T-shirts, such as one with the Golden Crane of Malkier below, which is the one that caught my eye.     But they also do a lot more. From posters to maps, coins to ornaments, calendars to playing cards, they have a wide range of themed merchandise from our favorite series. The artwork looks pretty good on the clothing range. A colleague of mine at the White Tower Social Group here on Dragonmount has a few of their T-Shirts and she really looks spiffy in them. If you have any of their other products, drop us a line below in the comments to let us know what you have and what you think of it!   Me? Well, the spare money I have for such things is still going into my piggy bank to be able to afford that heron-marked sword which I know is coming to me!   That's all for now! Have fun!   Until next time, friends!

Welcome back to another edition of "WoT If?", Dragonmount's weekly theory blog.  We are going to continue our reread of The Eye of the World, only chapter 9 this time, but there's a lot to talk about.    Before we start, I do want to say that there will still be SPOILERS!  With the ending in sight, much of what I point out could allude to things that happen in A Memory of Light, so keep that in mind as you read.  Don't continue if you don't want to be spoiled.   Synopsis Chapter 9, "Tellings of the Wheel"   In a dream, Rand is running through a desolate landscape, unseen pursuers behind him.  He scrambles to the top of a cliff with a long drop below him and no other place to go.  In the valley below the cliff is a single mountain reaching far into the sky.  He doesn't know the mountain, but he remembers it.   Unseen things begin to pull on his body, drawing him towards the mountain.  A familiar voice tells him he must serve.  Rand struggles to resist the pull of voice and fingers and uses his stubbornness and anger as the source.  He curses Shai'tan and suddenly sees a figure hovering over him, a figure in a blood red cloak and a face that is horrible, but not described.  Terrified, Rand throws himself off the edge of the cliff.   He lands in some grass with a different mountain looming over him.  Beside it, there are a river, an island, and a city out of a gleeman's tale.  Rand knows that safety waits in that city, but as hard as he runs, he cannot reach it.  The city gets smaller and smaller and the things chasing him get closer and closer.  He screams, and trips.   He is on paving stones within the city.  Around him are happy faces, people urging him forward, toward the tall tower in the middle of the city.  Rand wants to see a bit more of the city before going to the tower, so he turns down a side road, and sees the tower before him.  He turns down anther road, and the tower is still there.  He tires to run from it, but the people around him gesture him forward.  They need him to go.  He obliges.  He walks to the tower and the crowd sings and dances around him, giving him garlands around his neck.  He dances with them.  He gets to the square outside the tower and the crowd stops.  He continues on alone.  He enters the tower and a Myrddraal waits inside for him.   Rand wakes up at the inn.  Mistress al'Vere has left him some food, so he eats it quickly, then stands beside his sleeping father.  As he touches Tam's forehead, Tam opens his eyes.  Rand tells Tam everything Moiraine had said about the Dark One being after him, Mat, and Perrin.  Tam reluctantly agrees that Rand needs to leave.    Lan arrives and says there is trouble.  Rand starts to take off the sword, but Tam tells him to keep it.  Rand hugs Tam—and unable to ask about the fever dreams—leaves with the Warder.  Mat is waiting outside in the hallway and they all go downstairs together.   In the street in front of the inn, a mob has gathered.  They threaten the inn and the Aes Sedai.  Moiraine raises her wooden staff, which shoots fire out the ends, and tells the villagers about Manetheren.  At the end of her story, the villagers apologize for their behavior and leave.    Lan leads Rand and Mat out to the stableyard and Rand realizes he is actually leaving his home.   My take:   When I read this part the first few times, I felt that the dream sequence was a waste of time.  I wanted to continue with the story—especially the part when Moiraine tells of Manetheren.  Many agree that scene is one of their favorites.  But looking at the dream now, looking at it closely, there is a ton of information we can pick up.   First off, there's a very subtle hint that Lews Therin is present inside Rand.  We typically don't think of Lews Therin emerging until The Fires of Heaven—when small phrases start showing up in Rand's conversation (like calling Moiraine "little sister" (Chapter 2, "Rhuidean")).  But he is clearly here now, if you look close enough.  I'm surprised I've never noticed before.   During the dream sequence, when Rand's looking at Shayol Ghul and the Bore, he thinks:     Just a quick side note on Shayol Ghul.  My understanding of it is that it was created when Mierin and Beidomon drilled into the Bore—we see in the glass-column ter'angreal that the release of the Power from within the Bore brought down the Collam Daan.  So, the land around became barren after it was opened.    Therefore, Lews Therin and the Hundred Companions would have seen Shayol Ghul as it is in Rand's dream.  The source of the memory had to be from Lews Therin!  One strange thing to think about is that Mat and Perrin are seeing these same dreams—after all, Ba'alzamon isn't sure which of them is the Dragon Reborn yet.  To them, would it be just another mountain, since they don't have that "memory" to guide them?   Another thing Rand remembers is the voice calling him.  It says:     Notice that this voice is "familiar" as well.  After this, Rand sees a figure.  He doesn't describe what the figure's face looks like, but we can assume that it's the flame-filled eyes and mouth that Ishamael uses.  It's the form of Ba'alzamon.    Whose voice is it actually?  It isn't really the Dark One—because he speaks in ALL CAPS.  So, this has to be the voice of Ishamael.  His voice would only be familiar to Lews Therin.  And Rand knows that if he listens hard enough, he would remember the voice.  This could be the first time that Lews Therin's personality is trying to dominate Rand's.  What would have happened if Rand had let him, if Rand would  have listened hard enough?  Would he have realized that Ba'alzamon was really Ishamael?  Would Lews Therin and Rand merged sooner?  Would it have cause peace or sown more chaos?   And that makes me wonder about Rand's childhood.  There's many studies that suggest that children are more sensitive to supernatural presences—or more perceptive to things that are unseen.  Would Rand have been more susceptible to Lews Therin's personality as a child?  Would it have made things easier if they had merged back then?  Or would it have erased the good ethics Rand learned from Tam and the Two Rivers?  Did Rand every have an imaginary friend who was actually Lews Therin?   I know these questions sound silly, but reading this one scene made them all likely possibilities.   When Rand dreams of Tar Valon, I wonder about the purpose of it.  Was Ishamael trying to scare him away from the Tower by showing a Myrddraal inside?  Rand actually does take a lot of the things Ba'alzamon says as being true—mostly about Aes Sedai and the Tower.  This could be the beginning of that seed of doubt.   Also, when he's going towards the Tower, he thinks as he dances with the crowd that, "his feet were lighter than they had ever been, dancing with... He could not remember the name, but it did not seem important."  I wonder who he was thinking about dancing with.  Could it have been Egwene, or maybe Ilyena?   There's one last thing about these dreams.  We didn't really find out about dreamshards until A Memory of Light (prologue), but it seems to me that all this time Ishamael has been using them when he pulls Rand, Mat, and Perrin into his Dreams.  In my opinion, this is confirmed when Rand realizes he's in a dreamshard, and it leads him to Ishamael (Chapter 4, "Advantages of a Bond")—the same way he was usually called into Dreams of Ishamael's making during The Eye of the World through The Dragon Reborn.   Moving on past the dreams, and I know I've brought this up before, but I'm still completely flabbergasted that Tam didn't even suspect the Rand might be the Dragon Reborn.  Tam says, "What would Trollocs want with you boys? Or the Dark One, the Light help us?"  I know, and I think Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson have both commented on, how no one really believes they are a part of prophecy, but when Tam finds out Shadowspawn are after his adopted son, why wouldn’t he think back to where he found Rand?  That should have stirred some memory.  He should have some idea, even if it's only a gut feeling.  The Dark One wouldn't be hunting people just for the hell of it.   I still tear up when I read Moiraine's account of Manetheren.  Wheel of Time—one of its major themes, at least—is about bravery in the face of defeat.  We see this continually with many of the characters, and nations.  The Borderlanders, the Aiel (past and present), the people of Manetheren.  All show unspeakable bravery when called upon.  And I love that this tale is our first taste of what the people of the Two Rivers are capable of.   But Moiraine's speech has more purpose than just inspiring us—the readers—and captivating the Two Rivers' folk.  This hidden piece of their history prepared the Two Rivers to pick up their bows, pitchforks, and axes—this made them ready to follow Perrin.  If they never learned about how ordinary shepherds and farmers fought for Manetheren, they never would have found that inner vein of bravery and courage.  They would have assumed the troubles of the world would pass them by.  But Moiraine rekindled that part of the Old Blood within them.  In just a few pages, she turned them into warriors.   And one last bit about Manetheren.  When Moiraine is speaking of the hoard of Trollocs and Dreadlords, she says:     Besides the prologue, "Dragonmount," this is the first evidence we see of Ishamael not being completely sealed within the Bore.  He brags later that he caused all sorts of chaos along history's timeline—making Hawkwing hate Aes Sedai, forming the Black Ajah, etc.—but here is proof.  Notice Moiraine's use of the word "some evil."  There had to be more than just Dreadlords there.  In fact, Ishamael would be necessary to recruit Dreadlords.  With only shadowspawn working for him, how could the Dark One let channelers know he was looking for help?  People would need to be convinced or coerced.  And that would most likely require Ishamael.   I'm really hoping the Encyclopedia will give us more information on the nature of Ishamael's half-caught abilities.  It's hard to sum up all he was capable of.   But that's all I've got for today.  It's incredible how much you can squeeze out of one chapter.  Join us next time for more of The Eye of the World.  Thanks for reading!