Chapters 1-5 Summary

Perrin receives and escorts a woman named Leya to Moiraine. Moiraine, Lan, Rand, Perrin, and the company of Shienarans that fought with them in the battle of Falme, have taken refuge in a mountain canyon for a full winter. As they arrive, Min, who can see visions of people's futures, whispers to Perrin that she sees a violent death in Leya's near future.

Rand walks out of the camp after arguing with Moiraine about his course of action. Rand wants to help the fighters on the Almoth Plain, who have declared themselves for him. Moiraine believes he needs to establish an army first, preferably backed by one of the large city-states. Rand's frustration leads him to temporarily lose control of saidin, the male half of the One Power, and he causes a small earthquake in the camp.

When Rand returns, he...