Thanks everyone!  That makes a lot more sense.  Referring to Lanfear's trap - was that what she was doing down at the docks the day Moiraine tackled her into the doorway?  I don't recall what the trap was all about, nor what Sammael's part in it was.

Dear Forum,

During the battle of Cairhien, Rand is standing on his wooden tower with Egwene and Aviendha when it gets blasted to smithereens by Sammael.... in Illian.  I'm trying to understand how this is possible.  During the battle, on at least 2 occasions, someone is reflecting on how hard it is to channel at a distance.  One of those people is Rand, the freaking Dragon Reborn, arguably the most powerful male channeler in existence.  If he's having trouble channeling at a moderate distance, how can Sammael channel lightning bolts out of the Cairhienen sky from Illian?

Thanks in advance,

Dale