The Eye of the World/Chapter 40

==Summary==
:
thumb|150px|left|"You sound like an Andorman, though not a Caemlyner, certainly, but you look like..." - Gawyn
Rand sits at a table with Logain, the False Dragon, and Moiraine in silence. The room around them fades to gray. The pair vanish, replaced by Ba'alzamon. Rand's body hums, inside his head, louder and louder until...
Rand wakes up with a headache and recalls his fall from wall where he watched the Aes Sedai march Logain through Caemlyn. A girl dressed in rich clothes kneels beside him and he cannot help but compare her beauty to Egwene's. A sound announces the approach of another, a boy around Rand's age dressed as richly as the girl. Through their discussion, Rand learns that their names are Elayne and Gawyn. In a slight panic, Rand tries to stand so he can climb back over the wall when a wave of dizziness strikes him. Elayne treats his injuries as is her hobby with hurt animals. As they talk of personal issues, Rand finally asks who their mother is. Gawyn tells him that she is "Morgase, by the Grace of the Light, Queen of Andor, Defender of the Realm, Protector of the People, High Seat of House Trakand."
The shock appears to cure his dizziness as he races to his feet and tries to leave. Gawyn asks his name, perplexed by his features and accent, and appears surprised by the answer. A voice interrupts their conversation. Galad appears ready to defend his siblings from the intruder but Elayne and Gawyn defend Rand, granting him guest right. An argument ensues, ending with Elayne's rude dismissal of Galad. Galad leaves and the siblings agree that Rand should leave before Galad reports his presence to the Queen's Guards. Elayne insists that Rand use a gate rather than climb back up, however, and in this delay the guards appear.
The guards surround Rand with swords and bows drawn. Elayne and Gawyn shield Rand with arms raised. Elayne challenges Guardsman-Lieutenant Tallanvor, an officer, but must accept escort when another guardsman arrives with orders to take Rand and the siblings to the queen. Rand notices the garden untouched by the extended winter as the guards lead the group through a maze of corridors before reaching an audience chamber. Rand follows behind Elayne, mimicking Gawyn's actions through the introduction, but peeking to see the queen, her general, and Aes Sedai advisor. The queen admonishes the siblings for their disobedience. The Aes Sedai joins her, focusing on Elayne. Rand realizes she must be Elaida do Avriny a'Roihan of whom he had previously heard. He does not know that she is of the Red Ajah, however.
Elayne gives her mother a premeditated speech that meeting Rand has helped her learn more about their subjects and realm. Morgase dismisses the notion with a confession that the Two Rivers probably doesn't even know that they are a part of Andor. The comment about the Two Rivers sparks Elaida's interest as she studies the differences between typical folk from western Andor and Rand. She approaches Rand and bares the heron mark on his sword, which was previously wrapped with a red cloth,Some of Morgase's supporters were wrapping their swords in red to show their support and Rand used this to hide the heron mark which always attracted attention. for all to see. Her comments about the sword prompt every man in the audience to reach for swords. The Aes Sedai appears unconcerned and continues to question Rand, intrigued by the list of coincidences that led him here. The Aes Sedai's constant interrogation angers Rand and he begins to conceal the truth from her. Elaida, under command from the queen, Foretells a dark future of Andor, one of pain and division. More quietly, with nobody else able to hear, she also Foretells to Rand that the entire world will see pain and division and Rand will be at the center of it.
Morgase asks for Gareth Bryne's advice on the matter. Bryne says that he believes Rand's story about being in the palace by accident and dismisses Elaida's public Foretelling as a rather obvious trajectory for the realm; nonetheless, he advises that Rand be imprisoned for a short while until Elayne and Gawyn leave the city with the Aes Sedai journeying to Tar Valon with Logain. Elaida agrees that holding Rand for a few weeks would give her good time to examine him further. Morgase weighs the advice of Elaida and Gareth Bryne in regards to Rand's fate and decides to free him against both their wishes, as there has been too much unfounded suspicion about Darkfriends and the like in Caemlyn and she will not be part of it. After Rand swears under the Light that he means no harm to them, Morgase dismisses him and gathers her advisers to speak about the problem with Whitecloaks in her city.
Rand follows the guards walking him out in a thoughtful state and barely notices it when they reach a small sally-port. He says goodbye to the royal siblings but not before receiving two final shocks. The Daughter-Heir admits that she finds him handsome, while Gawyn explains that with a shoufa wrapped around his head that he would look like an Aielman.
==Characters==
*Rand al'Thor
*Elayne
*Gawyn
*Galad
*Tallanvor
*Elaida
*Morgase
*Gareth Bryne
===Referenced===
*Logain Ablar
*Moiraine Damodred
*Ba'alzamon
*Mat Cauthon
*Nynaeve al'Meara
*Egwene al'Vere
*Lini Eltring
*Taringail Damodred
*Hyam Kinch
*Basel Gill
==Groups ==
*Aes Sedai
*Queen's Guards
===Referenced===
*Traveling People
*Whitecloaks
*Darkfriends
==Places==
*Caemlyn
*Royal Palace of Andor
*Inner City
===Referenced===
*Emond's Field
*Two Rivers
*Andor
*Baerlon
*Tar Valon
*The Queen's Blessing
*The Crown and Lion
*New City
*Shayol Ghul
==Items==
*Heron-mark sword
*Lion Throne
*White Lion
*Rose Crown of Andor
*Great Serpent ring
==Concepts==
*False Dragon
*Light
*Shadow
*Pattern
==Culture==
*Light
*Queen's Man
*First Prince of the Sword
*Daughter-Heir
*Great Serpent ring
*Darkfriend
*Dragon's Fang
==The One Power==
*Foretelling
==Quotes==
==Notes==