The Eye of the World/Chapter 42

==Summary==
Rand leads a subdued group down to the library after their altercation with Mat. He spies Perrin's resigned look and wonders what is troubling him. He takes a few steps into the library when he realizes that everyone is still at the entrance. He has been around Loial so long that he forgot the initial shock. Rand introduces his friends to the Ogier. Loial's suggestion that they sit and await Moiraine's return eases the shock of the Emond's Field folk.
Perrin asks Loial about the stedding, wondering if they are really places of safety like the stories say. Loial tells them about his journeys, but Rand only pays half a mind, having heard it all before.
The door opens with Mat and Moiraine standing at the entry and Lan guarding the rear. Mat stumbles through an apology before some semblance of the old Mat returns when he ends with, "You can't hold a man to blame for what he does when he's crazy, can you?" Forgiveness and playful banter ensues, but ends abruptly when Mat sits down and casually reaches his hand into a coat pocket.
Moiraine confirms that he still possesses the Ruby-hilted dagger because she lacks the power to break the binding between him and the knife without help from other Aes Sedai in Tar Valon. She reports that she has contained the taint that allows Shadowspawn to track them for a time.
Loial introduces himself and appears confused when Moiraine tries to dismiss him. Rand informs her that Loial will accompany them.
An exchange of information prompts Moiraine to ask about Elaida and her part in Rand's story. Rand recalls how he didn't do anything wrong when he went to see the False Dragon. Perrin remarks that Rand's adventures were much more interesting than theirs, as he and Egwene only met some Tinkers and ran into Whitecloaks. The mention of Tinkers causes Loial to speak of them, which then causes him to remember the time a man came to his stedding during the Aiel War and spoke of a danger to the Eye of the World. Perrin mentions that the Tinkers also told them of an Aiel speaking about the Eye of the World three years ago. Then Perrin says that they have to tell Moiraine about their dreams about Ba'alzamon. Rand confirms that Ba'alzamon also mentioned the Eye of the World.
Moiraine calmly upbraids Rand, reminding him that she warned him about dreams and that they should have told her earlier. She then tells them how the Dark One bends even the most steadfast opponent to his will. She tells them how their Ta'veren nature makes it easier for the Dark One to find them than the average person. They must defend themselves from the Dark One in their dreams by staunchly denying him every time.
Moiraine resolves to warn the Green Man of the threat to the Eye of the World, telling the Emond's Fielders that they must go to the Blight. She smiles at the Ogier, having already weaved him into her plans. She asks Loial about The Ways and Loial confirms that he knows about them. She continues talking about a Waygate in Caemlyn and going to Fal Dara but Loial interrupts and shouts that The Ways will lead to death by the Shadow.
==Characters==
* Rand al'Thor
* Perrin Aybara
* Loial
* Nynaeve al'Meara
* Egwene al'Vere
* Mat Cauthon
* Moiraine Damodred
* Lan Mandragoran
===Referenced===
* Elaida a'Roihan
* Thomdril Merrilin
* Logain Ablar
* Elayne Trakand
* Gawyn Trakand
* Morgase Trakand
* Elder Arent
* Green Man
* Aginor
* Lanfear
* Balthamel
* Demandred
* Ishamael
* Davian
* Raolin Darksbane
* Yurian Stonebow
* Guaire Amalasan
* Tam al'Thor
==Places==
* Caemlyn
* The Queen's Blessing
===Referenced===
* Emond's Field
* Inner City
* Whitebridge
* Stedding Shangtai
* Tar Valon
* Aiel Waste
* The Blight
* Mafal Dadaranell
* Spine of the World
* Fal Dara
* New City
* The Ways
==Items==
* Ruby-hilted dagger
* Waygate
* Eye of the World
==Groups==
* Children of the Light
* Darkfriends
* Tuatha'an
==Concepts==
* Shadow
* Light
==Events==
* Aiel War
==Quotes==