Towers of Midnight

How it opens

Near Dragonmount, Almen Bunt finds that every tree in his sister's orchard has shed its tiny, shriveled apples overnight, in a land where stores are spoiling and crops are dying. Then the sun breaks through the clouds, the trees bloom and hang heavy with ripe apples, and a one-handed man coming down from Dragonmount tells him to gather them. Perrin leads a huge force of troops and refugees through the mud toward the Jehannah Road, and it keeps growing as hungry sell-swords join for meals. Galad wakes chained in a tent, waiting for the Questioners, and instead the Lords Captain bring him the head of Asunawa and kneel to him as Lord Captain Commander.

Who you meet early

• Rand al'ThorRand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn, has only one hand, his left arm ending in a stump. He comes down from the slopes of Dragonmount saying that for the first time in a long while he understands the path before him.
• Perrin AybaraPerrin Aybara has taken Maiden and got Faile back. Now he leads a huge column of soldiers and refugees, and he wants to send them all home and return to Rand.
• Faile BashereFaile is back at Perrin's side after her time as a captive. She tells him that his actions while she was gone were those of a leader.
• Berelain sur Paendrag PaeronBerelain, the First of Mayene, rides with Perrin's force and her Winged Guard. Perrin came to rely on her while Faile was gone, but with Faile back their truce seems to be over.
• GaulGaul, a Stone Dog of the Shaarad Aiel, travels with Perrin's force and scouts the road ahead for him.
• Galad DamodredGalad Damodred killed Valda and led thousands of Whitecloaks away from the Seanchan cause. He gave himself up to the High Inquisitor Asunawa to save his men, and he wakes a prisoner, chained in a tent.