I wonder if Perrin fighting the pattern's tugging could possibly be the answer to the problem of the dark prophesy that says that the Chosen will kill Perrin. It is possible that Perrin had two alternative paths coming out of Tear. He could have gone with Rand or he could have returned to the Two Rivers. Perhaps one path would have ended up fulfilling the dark prophesy, and the other path would have fulfilled light prophesy.

I realize that it is not certain that the dark prophesy refers to Perrin. I still entertain that as a possibility, but if it does relate to Perrin his fighting the pattern coming out of Tear or at some other point could be an explanation about why the Dark prophesy would be wrong.

I am still disappointed about the delay in the ebook release. Delaying the digital release only increases piracy and robs Team Jordan and TOR of some ebook sales.

I just wish we could preorder the ebook version. The backward-looking strategy of windowing the release is annoying.

Best Egwene ever in my opinion. I in a reread of LoC at the moment, and I can see this Egwene passing as a dark-eyed Ariel.

The last battle may change the world's perspective on people who can channel. It is possible that people in the next age will name their new cities to honor the residents of Tar Valon, even if the city itself isn't directly linked to Aes Sedai.

It is also possible that there will eventually be several cities associated with Aes Sedai. In the third age there was one center for all Aes Sedai in Randland. It doesn't have to be that way. There could be separate facilities for governance and training. The White Tower probably cannot handle the incoming deluge of channelers. Egwene's opening of the Novice Book has already resulted in a flood of new novices. And that flood has resulted from a pretty narrow amount of geography covered by the rebel's line of march. Realistically a major center dedicated to training is going to be needed. Several training centers may develop. One might focus initially on rehabilitating former Sul'dam and Damane as well as the channelers beyond the Waste. Eventually there may be enough Aes Sedai Windfinders and Wise One Aes Sedai that they may open training centers in the islands and the Waste.

It is also possible that some or all of the Ajah will open their own centers. Newly raised Aes Sedai would go to them for their final training, and the centers could also serve as research centers dedicated to the needs of the various Ajah.

There is another possibility, and that is that Cadsuane was at least partially wrong. One of my favorite things about the series is the way that things that the heros know for certain turn out to be wrong. Usually there is some kernel of truth in the original belief, but the details are off the mark.

To me the essential flaw in Cadsuane's explanation is what it does to Rand's role in the Last Battle. The Dragon is supposed to be pivotal at the last battle. If he is linked to a anyone and the other person is melding the flows, then the Dragon is basically reduced to serving the role of a high voltage battery.

We also know that at least part of Cadsuane's explanation is also out of date. She says that Callandor magnifies the taint. That is now irrelevant.

One part of Cadsuane's explanation does make sense up to a point. Men cannot initiate circles. Therefore if a circle must be used, a woman must initiate the circle. However, Cadsuane is like most Aes Sedai in that she is highly sexist when it comes to men channeling. She may be assuming that a woman must lead because fully trained and raised Aes Sedai are the best channelers and must therefore lead the circle.

The origins of Callandor are still a mystery. Even when we saw it in the Hall of Servants in Paaran Disen the Aes Sedai there seemed to be a bit confused about it. Perhaps they saw Cdsuane's flaw, but maybe they just didn't fully understand its function.

My guess is that there is some major feature of Callandor that we don't know about. To someone who doesn't know what they are looking at, it may look like a flaw. It is also possible that it is a true flaw, but perhaps Rand or someone around him can take advantage of it.

My guess for the three are Rand, Nynaeve, and Logain.

There are several things playing into this type of scenario. At this point in the story both Rand and Perrin are physically with a mile or so of each other, so an early meeting between them is very likely. There is also a large gathering of Tuatha'an near Ebou Dar, and Rand is aware of them. However getting a mass of them to the last battle quickly may involve coming to terms with Fortuona and the Seanchan.

One thing arguing against Perrin's role is that he may not be on the best of terms with the Tuatha'an after Perrin give permission to Aram to pick up a sword.