The Great Hunt/Chapter 49

==Summary==
:
Rand wakes up in a forest with blankets over himself. He feels a tight bandage wrapping his abdomen and sees Min sitting on the ground looking at him. She says they are five days east of Falme, and he's been sleeping this whole time. Min says Nynaeve and Elayne freed Egwene. Elayne, Egwene, Hurin, Mat and Verin are going to Tar Valon, taking the Horn with them. There is a heron on both his hands now. He remembers the Prophecies and realizes what it means. He tries to look at the wound on his side and Min says it is not fully healed. Moiraine believes Nynaeve Healed it a bit and Verin did also, but they can do no more. Rand realizes Moiraine is here and he is still not free of Aes Sedai.
Moiraine responds to her name and Rand tells her to go back to hiding. Moiraine says she was not hiding; she was in Toman Head doing what she could. Unfortunately she could not help the two Aes Sedai who were captured by the Seanchan. She says she did not send Verin to him. She wants to know if he found Fain. Moiraine says Fain is worse than a Darkfriend. He is worse, more evil, a blend of two evils because he was infused with the soul of Mordeth in Shadar Logoth.Moiraine realized what happened to Padan Fain in Shadar Logoth during her research in Tifan's Well in . Mordeth tried to take over his body but could not do it fully because Fain was already claimed by the Dark One. Moiraine shows Rand his sword, but it is ruined now.
Moiraine tells him that he fought Ba'alzamon in the sky over Falme and everyone saw it. She produces an illustration by a local artist of the event. Rand's likeness is unmistakable. He wants to destroy the parchment, saying he won't be the Dragon; he won't break the world. But it is too late, he has followers now, and the tale is being told everywhere of how he fought the Dark One above Falme. She says that the Pattern weaves itself around him and he cannot run from it; he needs Moiraine's advice to help him. His presence in Cairhien sparked the present civil war even though he was trying to do nothing. The Black Ajah revealed itself for the first time in a thousand years.Moiraine is either referring to the warded Draghkar in Tifan's Well or she learned about Liandrin from Egwene and Nynaeve. Arad Doman and Tarabon will likely be in chaos as a result of what people saw over Falme. She produces two more Seals which are broken now. Rand decides he still has to find Fain.
Rand gets up with great difficulty and the women help him over to the campfire. Loial is there reading a book; he is not unhappy that Rand is even more important than he knew. The Dragon Banner is standing erect in the middle of the camp. The Shienarans led by Uno gather around Rand and pledge allegiance to him. Rand tells them that Ingtar died in the battle a hero, and tries to get them to go back to Fal Dara with that news. Uno refers to the Prophecies and says that the coming of the Dragon breaks all bonds so they no longer need to keep their oaths to Lord Agelmar. Masema calls Rand the Lord Dragon. Moiraine emphasizes that the Last Battle will come whether Rand likes it or not; will he shirk his duty or do what he must? Rand finally decides he must accept what the Wheel has woven for him.
==Characters==
*Rand al'Thor
*Min Farshaw
*Moiraine Damodred
*Loial
*Lan Mandragoran
*Perrin Aybara
*Uno Nomesta
*Masema Dagar
*Ragan
===Referenced===
*Mat Cauthon
*Egwene al'Vere
*Nynaeve al'Meara
*Elayne Trakand
*Hurin
*Verin
*Ba'alzamon
*Padan Fain
*Mordeth
*Turak Aladon
*Ryma Galfrey - as Aes Sedai sent to Seanchan
*Sheraine Caminelle - as Aes Sedai sent to Seanchan
*Artur Hawkwing
==Groups==
*Aes Sedai
*Dragonsworn
===Referenced===
*Seanchan
==Places==
*Toman Head
===Referenced===
*Falme
*Tar Valon
*Seanchan
*Emond's Field
*Shadar Logoth
*Arad Doman
*Tarabon
*Cairhien
*Fal Dara
==Events==
===Referenced===
*The Battle of Falme
*The Last Battle
==Items==
===Referenced===
*Ruby-hilted dagger
*Seven Seals
*Horn of Valere
==Culture==
*Wheel of Time
*Breaking of the World
*Dragon Reborn
*To Sail Beyond the Sunset