
Following his revelation that the woman he loves in Cairhien is none other than Lanfear, a Forsaken and one of the most dangerous immortal channelers pledged to the Dark One, Rand engages in a precarious game of hide-and-seek with her, relying on her former affection for his previous life as the Dragon to deter her from killing him. Subsequently, Rand is apprehended by Siuan Sanche, the Amrylin Seat and the Aes Sedai’s leader, but manages to escape with assistance from Lanfear and Moiraine. He then heads to the occupied city of Falme, only to find it under Seanchan control.
In a confrontation between the Seanchan and the Whitecloaks, Rand teams up with Mat Cauthon against Ishamael. Unfortunately, during their attempt to attack Ishamael, Mat inadvertently wounds Rand with an evil dagger from Shadar Logoth. Elayne Trakand partially heals his wound, but is unable to fully restore him. Despite his injuries, Rand vanquishes Ishamael permanently (fingers crossed), and is proclaimed the Dragon Reborn by everyone in the city.