Hey guys!! I got a lot of reading done last night, and I know I will finish it tonight and have a final update for you maybe tomorrow. I just figured I'd write one now because a lot happened last night.
Okay,
-Rand went to see the Sea Folk. He went to announce himself as the Coramoor. Although they claimed he had to Bargain with them, Rand wasn't having it. He basically told them what's up, and it's his way or the highway. He told them they WILL help transport soldiers and battle the Seanchan. The Wavemistress was stunned to find herself PULLED toward agreement. Rand feels that this is ta'varen working in his favor and leaves with Min.
Rand decides to take Min with him to settle the rebels. After leaving the gateway they immediately run into a lady that Min almost mistakes for Moiraine. She is Caraline Domodred. I'm hoping this turns out to be Moiraine's sister or something. BTW, the Damodred's and Trakand's are mixed together bunch if I recall correctly. I forget exactly who married who, but I always wondered if Moiraine and Elayne were related. Also, I wish I got to see Moiraine interact with her family when Rand and the Aeil were in Carhein.
But anyways a man named Darlin comes too and Min views that Caraline and Darlin are to be married, although it won't be an easy path getting there. With Min and Rand pretending to be Caraline's cousins (she knows who they are) they are led to a tent where there are the rebels with Aes Sedai, including Cadsuane, and a man named Toram who also holds affections towards Caraline and is EXTREMELY jealous. Finally, Rand spots Padan Fain. Man, my heart was racing when I read that. I've been WAITING for the two of them to square off. When Rand was explaining to Caraline who Fain was, I laughed when he said "He is a Darkfriend.......and a dead man." I wonder why Rand didn't immediately seize him with Air but I understand he was worried about the Aes Sedai, because a few of them were Red. A jealous Toram challenges Rand to spar with wooden sticks. It is a fairly even battle until Fain attacks. I didn't expect Fain to be this powerful. I always wondered how he overpowered a Myrrdral a couple of books back. I see how the powers he gains from/as Mordeth are useful. Amassing a huge fog and creating creatures that are made of the mist yet can kill in brutal ways. Rand reveals himself by using balefire on on of these things. That makes Toram fly into a rage, blaming Rand for all of it and runs away. It also earns him a swift slap across the face from Cadsuane. I like her a lot.
-Fain himself makes an attempt on Rand and actually scores a hit with his cursed dagger. Since the dagger is instant death he runs away. Fortunately the sisters were right there and could immediately apply Healing. My heart jumped in my throat when is said Fain got him with the knife because I remember the horrible death a Novice suffered from that blade when Fain was in the White Tower a while back. He cut Rand right over his unHealable wound from Ba'alzamon. When brought back to the palace the Asha'man decide to take a crack at Healing. One actually manages to do a better job than the Aes Sedai. She demands he teach her how he did it. LOL That had me laughing too. How awful it must have been for her to ASK a male channeler to teach her something. He claims he didn't really heal it, he sealed the wounds off from Rand. Only temporarily though. This was a really good chapter. I'm a little concerned that the wounds are only sealed off and not fully Healed. I bet Rand is going to wake up foaming at the mouth with revenge for Fain. I REALLY REALLY want to see Rand battle him.
-The Kin lead Nyneave, Elayne, Mat, Lan, and some soldiers to the house that holds the Bowl of the Winds. There they encounter two Black Ajah and other soldiers. A fierce battle ensues between Mat, Lan, and the Red Band against the Darkfriends while Nyneave battles the two Black Ajah herself....and they're LINKED. She begs Mat to go upstairs because she heard Elayne scream and felt channeling. (I see what you guys were saying about Nyneave's attitude changes.) When Mat arrives he finds chaos. Elayne is injured and several of Mat's soldiers are dead along with Reanne and a few Kin. Killed by a mystery man who Mat does battle with. He isn't named, but is faster and stronger than a Myrrdral and pretty much kicks the crap out of Mat. A soldier who tries to save Mat has his throat ripped out by this mystery man. Mat continues to fight the man and at one point on the ground, Mat's foxhead medallion slips out of his shirt and when it touches the mans face it burns him. Realizing he can use the medallion as a weapon, Mat chases the guy into a closet. But when Mat breaks the door down, the man is gone. They get the Bowl of the Winds, Heal anyone that can be healed, and Mat orders all of them to leave Ebou Dar immediately.
Now THIS was a great chapter. I'm very intrigued by this mystery man Mat fought. Apparently he can channel, because he must've Traveled to get out of that closet. I don't know why he was burned by the medallion though. Is he MADE from the One Power?? LOL Perhaps I don't know everything about this medallion. Also, Elayne said her flows vanished with him, just like they did with Mat's medallion. As for his identity, I initially suspected Moridin/Ishamael. Now I'm not so sure. Remind you I haven't finished the book, so we'll see. I love it when Mat gets into the fight. I would have to say he's my favorite character right now. All the stuff with Queen Tylin is hilarious.
Okay, I should probably do more updates for a few reasons. First and most important, I know you guys like them and I really am humbled by your enjoyment of this thread. Second, so much stuff happens in a few chapters which means the longer time between updates, the bigger update I have to write. Unfortunately, since I have to cover so much, important things are left out. Like my update from a week ago. This update above, was only a couple of chapters, and look how long it is. There is lots to discuss. So if you guys feel I'm slacking......let me know! I'm always reading, and I can pretty much do an update anytime. I check this thread EVERY day so don't think your messages don't get through. This thread is for you guys as much as it is for me too!! So, I have only about 65 pages left and I will finish CoS tonight. Which means FINAL update tomorrow hopefully. I'm really excited to see how this ends. Take care guys!!!
-Joe
