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by Cholly: 2006-07-14 | 5 out of 10 (8 votes)

Recent Categories: How Will It End?

This is my first attempt at a theory. I have enjoyed reading all of yours, and hope anything I do is half as good. Okay. The purpose of this theory is to find out what Rand will do in the last book of the series. To accomplish this, I will go thru the topics one at a time.

1.The Seanchan - We know that Rand refuses to fight the DO until a truce has been made with the Seanchan. His first attempt failed miserably, but he is still insisting on meeting with the Daughter of the Nine Moons, or Tuon. This must happen because of two prophecies:

(The Dragon Reborn: Chapter Six, The Hunt Begins, Page 57)

Moiraine in conversation:

He has yet to break the nations, or shatter the world... What does it mean that he shall slay his people with the sword of peace and destroy them with the leaf? What does it mean that he shall bind the nine moons to serve him? There are others. What wound of madness and cutting up of hope has he healed? What chains has he broken, and who put into chains?

And then:

(Knife of Dreams: Chapter 18, News For The Dragon, Page 395)

Rand dropped back into his chair, stretching his legs in front of him and crossing his ankles. "It doesn't matter how unpopular it is. I went through that doorframe ter'angreal in Tear, Cadsuane. You know about that?" Golden ornaments bobbled as she nodded impatiently. "One of my questions for the Aelfinn was 'How can I win the Last Battle?' "

"A dangerous question to pose," she said quietly, "touching on the Shadow as it does. Supposedly, the results can be quite unpleasant. What was the answer?"

" 'The north and the east must be as one. The west and the south must be as one. The two must be as one.' "

There is another reference in the Prophecies of the Dragon that is about the same as the Aelfinn's answer. What this all adds up to is that Rand must meet with Tuon and make a truce. There is no other way. If he does not, the Light will lose the Last Battle. This meeting should be made easier now that Mat is married to her; you would assume one of them would bring it up. Where this meeting will be held, I'm not sure, but I don't see it in Tuon to try and pull any dirty tricks on Rand, and Rand knows he can't afford to if he wants to win. This must be done.

2.Shara - We know RJ has said that there will be no expediations into Shara or Seanchan, so Rand going over there is impossible. The Sharans themselves seem content to let the people in Randland handle all of the world's problems themselves. They will not cross the bordor or try to influence Rand in any way, so Rand does not have to worry about them at all.

3.The Borderlands - Rand, in his thoughts and actions, has almost totally ignored the Bordorlands, the place in Randland where the Last Battle will mostly affect. They are eager to meet with him,but he won't have to go there to meet them if Verin is already there. I know this part of my theory is based on Callandor's Verin theory, but it does make sense. If Verin somehow dosen't end up with the Bordorland army, Rand dosen't have to meet with them. Lan is up north raising the Golden Crane; that will surely cause any soldier who isn't with the Bordorland army to join up. The Army itself, it will probarly hike itself back up home when they get word of the Last Battle approaching. And if they don't, it would be nice to have a lot of Borderland trained soldiers in the middle of Randland just in case. But in any case, Verin is going to meet with them, and that will be settled without any direct influence from Rand.

4.Moiraine - We found out in KOD that Thom and Mat are going to rescue Moiraine with the help of a third person. It is very unlikely that is to be Rand. All signs seem to point to Noal.and even if Mat wanted Rand's help, he has no way of contacting him. But, when she is rescued, as Min's viewings indicate, and we know Min is always right, it seems that she will need to meet with Rand, or at the very least be at the Last Battle, due to this:

(A Crown Of Swords: Chapter 35, Into The Woods, Page 543)

Min in thought:

"He would almost certainly fail without a woman that was dead and gone..."

Rand would not be able to find out about Moiraine right away, she would more then likely have to come to him. As to what she can do to help Rand, maybe its something earned through the red doorframe. In all likelyhood, she will not be able to channel. That should be able to be fixed (hopefully by Flinn). Or her help could be killing someone in the Last Battle. A big, bloody, drawn out fight between her and Cyndane would be quite pleasing. In any case, Rand will not have to help free Moiraine.

5.Cadsuane - Rand must learn something from Cadsuane, according to Min:

(A Crown Of Swords : Chapter 41, A Crown of Swords, Page 642)

Min, talking to Rand :

"It's Cadsuane. She is going to teach you something, you and the Asha'man. All the Asha'man, I mean. It's something you have to learn, but I don't know what it is, expect that none of you will like learning it from her. You aren't going to like it at all."

We learn what Cadsuane is going to teach Rand and all of the Asha'man in these three excerpts:

(The Path Of Daggers : Chapter 12, New Alliances, Page 310 Paperback)

"Do you believe that a man must be hard?" she asked. She was taking a chance."Or strong?" By her tone, she left no doubt she saw a difference.

Again Sorilea touched her tray; the smallest of smiles might have quirked her lips for an instant. Or not. "Most men see the two as the one and the same, Cadsuane Melaidhrin. Strong endures; hard shatters."

Cadsuane drew breath. A chance she would have scoured anyone else for taking. But she was not anyone else, and sometimes chances had to be taken. "The boy confuses them," she said. "He needs to be strong, and makes himself harder. Too hard, already, and he will not stop until he is stopped. He has forgotten how to laugh except in bitterness; there are no tears left in him. Unless he finds laughter and tears again, the world faces disaster. He must learn that even the Dragon Reborn is flesh. If he goes to Tarmon Gai'don as he is, even his victory may be as dark as his defeat."

And on the next page:

"I offer you water oath," she said solemnly, picking up one of the cups. "By this, we are bound as one, to teach Rand al'Thor laughter and tears." She sipped, and Cadsuane imitated her.

Then there is this interesting excerpt:

(Winter's Heart : Chapter 25, Bonds, Page 573-74 Paperback)

Cadsuane talking to Verin:

"Verin, he can do whatever his heart desires, anything at all, as long as he lives to reach Tarmon Gai'don. And as long as I can be at his side long enough to make him learn how to laugh again, and cry." Closing her eyes, she rubbed her temples with her fingertips and sighed. "He is turning into a stone, Verin, and if he dosen't relearn that he is human, winning the Last Battle may not be much better then losing. Young Min told him he needs me; I got that much out of her without rousing her suspicions. But I must wait for him to come to me. You see the way he runs roughshed over Alanna and the others. It will be hard enough teaching him, if he does ask. He fights guidance, he thinks he must do everything, learn everything, on his own, and if I don't make him work for it, he won't learn at all." Her hands dropped into the emboidory hoop on her lap."I seem to be in a confident mood tonight. Unusual, for me. If you ever finish pouring that tea, I might confide some more."

"Oh yes; of course." Hastily filling a second cup, Verin slipped the small vial back into her pouch unopened. It was good to be sure of Cadsuane at last. "Do you take honey," she asked in her most muddled voice. "I can never remember."

From all of that we can infer that Cadsuane must teach Rand, and even more fascinating, all the Asha'man, that strong is not hard, and laughter and tears. Cadsuane must wait for Rand to come to her. It seems that unless something major happpens, this could take a good bit of time, for when we last saw Rand, he did not seem anywhere near approaching Cadsuane.

Now the part in Min's viewing about all of the Asha'man learning from Cadsuane as well. This could be tricky. Rand has some Asha'man with him, about half are in Arad Domon, and the other half at the Black Tower with the mysterious Taim. It seems unlikely that Cadsuane will teach all the Asha'man at once, with how spread out they are. An event of signifcant magnitude must occur for word of mouth to spread that far. I doubt if there is enough time left for her to teach Rand the normal way, the way she wants to. What I think could end up happening is she will end up taking on Taim. That certainly would cause ripples throughout the Black Tower. If they both die, or she or Taim, anyway it seems they will learn something. This would also purge the Black Tower of Dreadlords, at least somewhat.

All in all, it dosen't matter how it is done, but it must happen.

6.The Whitecloaks - Galad is now Lord Captin Commander of a considerable weaked Whitecloak army. They are still strong enough to make an impact. Galad would not go looking for Rand like Gawyn would, he know the Dragon Reborn must live. I look for Galad to turn the Whitecloaks in a new direction, with Berelain's help, of course. Rand would not be needed in any of this.

7.The Seven Seals - We know Rand will not make a move against Shayol Ghul until he has all seven seals, or in this case, at least knows where they are, and if they are broken or not. As of the end of KOD, he has three intact seals in his pocession, even through a three year old with a plastic hammer could break them. He knows of three that have been broken. The only one he dosen't know about is the one Nynaeve found, and later broke, on her way to Salidar:

(Crossroads Of Twilight : Chapter 24, A Strengthening Storm, Page 675 Paperback)

Bashere speaking:

"You have three, and you say three are broken. Maybe the Shadow knows where the last is."

If only he would just talk to Nynaeve. It's bound to happen sometime, unless he is forced to press forward without knowing the truth of it all. He holds the remaining three intact seals, but he thinks one is still out there, waiting to be found, or maybe in the hands of the Shadow. This is a problem. He could waste valuable time looking for it. This is something he dosne't have to do, but might. I would look for him to bring them up in conversation somehow. The answer is right in front of him.

8.The Madness - The taint is gone, but Lews Therin is still there. Rand can still go insane at anytime. Semirhage has more to say on the matter:

(Knife Of Dreams : Chapter 27, A Plain Wooden Box, Page 592)

Semirhage saved him the effort of thinking up a lie. "He's insane," she said coolly. Standing there stiff as a statue, Min's knife hilt still sticking out beside her collarbone and the front of her black dress glistening with blood, she might have been a queen on her throne. "Graendal could explain it better then I. Madness was her speciality. I will try, however. You know of people who hear voices in their heads? Sometimes, very rarely, the voices they hear are voices of past lives. Lanfear claimed he knew things from our own Age, things only Lews Therin Telamon could know. Clearly, he is hearing Lews Therin's voice. It makes no difference that his voice is real, however. In fact, that makes his situation worse. Even Graendal usually failed to acheive reintegration with someone who heard a real voice. I understand the descent into terminal madness can be. . .abrupt." Her lips curved in a smile that never touched her dark eyes.

Now I believe Semirhage is telling the truth right here. One, it all makes sense. Two, this would make Rand's followers uneasy about being around him. While that may seem like a good reason to lie, simply telling the truth would work as well. And finally, I just have that gut feeling that this is the truth.

Semirhage did give Rand one useful bit of information here. It can be healed. She said Graendal "usually" failed to perform reintegration with someone like Rand. Now I don't think it is likely that Rand is going to go capture Graendal and force her to do this. But with all the new discoveries being made, maybe one of the faithful Asha'man can find this. Or maybe Semirhage knows how to do it and Cadsuane can get it out of her. But in any case, I think Rand is going to need Lews Therin's voice for the Last Battle. But afterwards, if Lews Therin is still there? This is not something Rand needs done unless his situation gets much worse, and even then I don't think it will get done.

9.The Seanchan attack on the White Tower - Here are all the quotes I dug up on the subject:

(The Shadow Rising : Chapter 1, Seeds of Shadow, Pages 16-23)

Random Aes Sedai in the White Tower- A silver collar (damane's), bones, a lot of suffering)

I know a lot of the suffering is due to the split of the tower, but the silver collar significant.

(The Fires Of Heaven : Chapter 26, Sallie Daera, Page 317)

Min thinking about Carlinya:

"For an instant Min saw an image of a raven floating beside her dark hair; more a drawing of the bird then the bird itself. She thought it was a tattoo, but she did not know its meaning."

Carlinya is one of the rebel Aes Sedai, so this means they will be involved in the upcoming battle as well. Now, the raven indicates that the marked person is property of the empress, so Carlinya is in trouble.

(The Dragon Reborn : Chapter 25, Questions, Pages 233-234)

Egwene thinking:

"She had dreamed of Seanchan, too, of women in dresses with lightening bolts woven on their breasts, collaring a long line of women who wore Great Serpent rings, forcing them to call lightening against the White Tower."

This again indicates the upcoming battle, and also means the Seanchan may attack the rebels first to be able to get Aes Sedai to attack their own White Tower.

(Crossroads Of Twilight : Chapter 20, In The Night, Pages 492-495)

Egwene dreaming:

She was struggling up a narrow, rocky path along along the face of a towering cliff. Clouds surrounded her, hiding the ground below and the crest above, yet she knew they were both very far away. She had to place her feet very carefully. The path was a cracked ledge barely wide enough for her to stand on with one shoulder pressed against the cliff, a ledge littered with stones as large as her fist that could turn under a misplaced step and send her hurtling over the edge. It almost seemed this was like the dreams of pushing millstones and pulling carts, yet she knew it was a true dream.

Abruptly, the ledge dropped away from under her with the crack of crumbling stone, and she caught frantically at the cliff, fingers scrabbling to find a hold. Her fingertips slid into a tiny crevice, and her fall stopped with a jolt that wrenched her arms. Feet dangling into the clouds, she listened to the falling stone crash against the cliff until the sound faded to nothing without the stone ever hitting the ground. Dimly, she could see the broken ledge to her left. Ten feet away, it might as well have been a mile off for all the chance she had of reaching it. In the other direction, the mist hid what remained of the path, but she thought it had to be farther away still. There was no stregnth in her arms. She could not pull herself up, only hang there by her fingertips until she fell. The edge of the crevice seemed as sharp as a knife under her fingers.

Suddenly a women appeared, clambering down the sheer side of the cliff out of the clouds, making her way as deftly as if she were walking down stairs. There was a sword strapped to her back. Her face wavered, never settling clearly, but the sword seemed as solid as the stone. The woman's reached Egwene's level and held out one hand. "We can reach the top together," she said in a familar drawling accent.

This seems to indicate that a Seanchan woman will help Egwene in the attack. Why the sword seems so important is unclear, as is why a Seanchan woman would help not only someone who could channel, but the rebel Amyrlin.

Next, on the same page, the most important:

Egwene dreaming:

A small white plinth stood centered in that circle, supporting an oil lamp made of clear glass. The flame on that lamp burned bright and steady, without flickering. It was white, too. Suddenly a pair of birds flashed out of the mist, two ravens black as night. Streaking across the spire-top, they struck the lamp and flew on without so much as a pause. The lamp spun and wobbled, dancing around atop the plinth, flinging off droplets of oil. Some of those drops caught fire in midair and vanished. Others fell around the short column, each supporting a tiny, flickering white flame. And the lamp continued to wobble on the edge of falling.

Egwene knows right off that this means the Seanchan will attack the White Tower. And it will be soon:

(Crossroads Of Twilight : Chapter 30,What The Oath Rod Can Do, Page 677)

Egwene riding:

Something flashed across the moon, and her breath caught. For an instant, she thought it had been a Draghkar, an evil sight on this of all nights. Only a bat, she decided.

Sounds an awful lot like a Seanchan scout flying a to'raken to me. Okay, we are sure that the Seanchan will attack the White Tower, now, will Rand be involved? No. Min has had no visions of him helping out, Egwene no dreams. In the unlikely even he learns of the attack while it is happening, he cannot afford any more injuries, and I doubt he would walk into the tower and risk being captured by Elaida.

10. The White Tower - I am positive that somehow the Seanchan will be fought off and the rebels will take over the tower due to this:

(A Crown Of Swords, Prologue, Lightnings, Page 26)

Elaida Foretelling (about the only thing she is useful for):

"The White Tower will be whole again, except for remnants cast out and scorned, whole and stronger then ever. Rand al'Thor will face the Amyrlin Seat and know her anger. The Black Tower will be rent in blood and fire, and sisters will walk its grounds."

Now Elaida has not sent anyone out to capture Rand again, and in any case won't be able to because of the Seanchan attack. Rand would not go willingly while Elaida is Amyrlin, so Egwene must be for him to go. I hope Rand chews Egwene out. Anyway, this is something that Rand must do before the Last Battle, and something he will do.

11. The Black Ajah - The members of it around Rand seem content to let events play out, and unless one of them has a direct order from a forsaken, they will not attack him. In any case, it would hardly be wise, with all the channelers he has around him. Rand will not have to worry about them until Tarmon Gai'don.

12. The Forsaken - Now that Semirhage has been captured, there are no foreseeable attacks on Rand until Tarmon Gai'don. Moggy and Cyndane are under Mordin's thumb, Grandal would not do something that risky, not Ana'gar, who is not in position to do anything, and Demandred hasn't made an obvious move the whole series. Unless Rand decides to attack on of them, or runs into them, there should be no more fights. Rand should stay away from trouble all together, with how beat up he is. No, the Forsaken are content to let the Lord of Chaos rule. Until Tarmon Gai'don.

13. Rand's Injuries - As of the end of KOD, our buddy Rand isn't doing so hot. He has two conflicting wounds in his side, he lost his hand, is going mad, and has something wrong with his eyes.

Many channelers have tried many times to try and heal the wounds in his side, and have failed. There is nothing to suggest that won't continue. He can't do anything about his hand, and we already talked about the madness, but there is still the slight problem of his sight:

(Knife Of Dreams : Chapter 27, A Plain Wooden Box, Page 590)

Nynaeve speaking:

"There's something wrong with your eyes," she said with a frown. "I'm afraid to try fixing that without studying on it. The smallest mistake could blind you. How well can you see? How many fingers am I holding up?

"Two. I can see fine," he lied. The black flecks were gone, but everything still seemed seen through water, and he wanted to squint against a sun that appeared to glare ten times brighter then it had. The old wounds in his side were knotted with pain.

There are three possible scenarios that could come of this. One, Nynaeve could study up it and fix his eyes. That is very unlikely, due to all the forewarnment we have had about Rand's eyes. Two, the blindness will take a long time to make him totally blind, and he won't have to worry about it. Three, he will go blind before Tarmon Gai'don. I have a gut feeling the latter will occur. But, as Rand thinks, there is nothing he can do about it, he already put it behind him, he won't waste time trying to fix it.

14. The Horn of Valere - Since Egwene and the former rebels will gain control of the tower, this is easily accesible to the light again. Rand could pick it up when he visit the Tower, but it has been safe there all this time; why not keep it there until it is needed. No reason for Rand to fret about this.

15. Min - She is Rand's major weakness; he has been able to say no and send Elayne and Avi away, but he can't to Min:

(Winter's Heart, Prolouge, Snow, Pages 82-83 Paperback)

Min speaking:

"We had this out, Rand bloody Dragon Reborn al'Thor! You are not leaving me behind!"

"The thought never crossed my mind," he lied. He was too weak; he could not make himself say the words, to make her stay. Too weak, he thought bitterly, and she might well die for it, the Light burn me forever!

I don't believe Min will die, but being kidnapped is a definite possibility, for her knowledge as well as their companionship. For the last five books, we have constantly been reminded of her reading Fel's books, and she will discover how to seal the bore again. The Shadow can't like that. She would also be extremly useful for her viewings. But the Bore is the most important. That means that is something Rand dosen't have to do, and probarly can't. She has the brains, and more common sense then anyone in the books.

16. Moridin - He has screwed a lot of stuff up for Rand, and caused his channeling sickness, but I don't see them dueling it out until Tarmon Gai'don. Rand will not inhabit Moridin's body. No one has seen anything to indicate this (Min, Egwene, Foretelling, and Prophecies). While this is fantasy and anything can happen, this won't.

17.Tam al’Thor – I do not know if Rand is going to visit his father, or more likely, vice versa, but they should get together. That would truly help Rand’s emotional status (or lack of), and it would be very interesting. A great scene. It isn’t mandatory, but it would be nice.

17. Tarmon Gai'don -There is not much in prophecy, dreams, foretellings or viewings to indicate what exactly will happen in the Last Battle. The people in Randland believe it will be vicious, with Shadowspawn pouring out of the Blight, darkfriends unveiling themselves everywhere, and dreadlords fighting the Aes Sedai and Asha'man. For all we know, however, Rand could just simply go to Shayol Ghul and reseal the Bore. That would be rather disapointing,(I would personally perfer Tarmon Gai'don to be at least 500 pages), but anything is possible. What I guess I'm saying is we do not know what will happen. Except that Rand will reseal the Bore, more then likely putting some Forsaken in their graves alone the way. And Rand will survive. His propheiczed death everyone talks about isn't going to happen because. . .

18. The Beggar/Logain's Glory - Here are all the quotes I dug up on it:

(The Eye Of The World : Chapter 15, Strangers And Friends, Page 181)

Min speaking about auras around Rand:

". . a golden crown of Laurel leaves, a beggar's staff, him pouring water on sand. . .

Note the beggar part.

(The Shadow Rising : Chapter 53, The Price Of Departure, Page 612)

Perrin Dreaming:

Mat vanished, and it was Rand. Perrin thought it was Rand. He wore rags and a rough cloak, and a bandage covered his eyes.

Notice the beggar like appearance. The eyes are important.

(The Path Of Dagger's : Chapter 15, Stronger Then Written Law, Page 308)

Egwene Dreaming:

Rand, wearing different masks, until suddenly, one of those false faces was no longer a mask, but him.

This means after Tarmon Gai'don, Mordin and Lews Therin will leave him in peace.

(A Crown Of Swords : Chapter 10, Unseen Eyes, Page 202)

Egwene Dreaming:

Logain, laughing, stepped across something on the ground and mounted a black stone; when she looked down, she thought it was Rand's body he had stepped over, laid out on a funeral bier with his hands crossed at his breasts, but when she touched his face, it broke like a paper puppet.

Wow, this holds so much. Logain is laughing, so he is happy about something. He may not like Rand, but he wouldn't laugh at his death. He is happy because Rand is going to fake his death, giving Logain his position of power and all the credit for defeating the Dark One. Take notice this relates to Min's viewing of Logains glory to come and Moridin's Fisher game. This is how Rand wins. Also notice how when Egwene touch's Rand's face, it breaks like a paper puppet. Puppet, because it is not the real him.

(Lord Of Chaos : Chapter 14, Dreams and Nightmares, Page 255)

Nicola's Foretelling:

"The lion sword, the dedicated spear, she who sees beyond. Three on a boat, and he who is dead yet lives. The great battle done, but the world not done with battle. The land divided by the return, and the gaurdians balance out the servants. The future teeters on the edge of a blade."

It does not matter if the boat Rand, Min, Elayne and Avi are on is symbolic or literal. He who is dead yet lives. The true Dragon reborn is dead to the world, but Rand al'Thor lives on. Again, what the finns told him. To live, you must die. For Rand to survive the turmoil after Tarmon Gai'don, he must disapear. It is as simple as that.

That about covers everything Rand al'Thor will or won't or might do in Book 12. I hope we do get to see him do a lot of this; he is the main charactor, he is the one that matters. The world rests on his shoulders. Sure, he is proud, hard, arrogant. But he didn't choose for any of this to happen; he was chosen, by none less then the Creater himself. That means he can handle all of this. He accepted his fate the best way he knew, and no one can say he hasn't done everything in his power to try and help the Light.

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Comments

1

Tamyrlin: 2006-10-22

Wow, that's a lot of territory to cover. I don't know that I remember each point or what I disagreed with, particularly. I wonder if Rand being seen as a beggar, is how he gets into the White Tower to see Egwene, after the Seanchan attack and Egwene's taking over as Amyrlin. It would make sense for Rand to arrive as a beggar, and being blind probably wouldn't be too far from the truth, just a thought. I imagine Logain is laughing because he has been set up to take over and knows that Rand is not actually dead, but he needs to play his part. It is possible that Egwene is there, playing her part, as Amyrlin. Your idea about Min being taken is interesting. Rand has become comfortable with his group of followers that in essence surround and protect him. If Min were to be taken, he would go nuts...and actually move. Concerning the Horn, I wonder if Moiraine will be the one to go after the Horn, after she gets out of Finnland. I am looking forward to her return. I'm sure others will have much more to discuss as to how all of this will turn out.

2

JakOShadows: 2006-10-22

Cholly:

Wow. A lot of information there. teh only thing I definitely disagree with you on is Logain's glory. I don't think he will be known as the one to seal the bore. I do think he will be essential in leading the Ashaman during the battle as well as taking over afterwards. It will be remembered much more clearly by people and he will get more glory than even Rand in doing this. So I don't think Logain will be remembered as being the dragon reborn, at least not recently after the LB. Just as the next in the chain of command.

3

Callandor: 2006-10-22

Well, this isn't so much a theory but a collection of ideas and summations, but let's see.

**Rand would not be able to find out about Moiraine right away, she would more then likely have to come to him. As to what she can do to help Rand, maybe its something earned through the red doorframe.**

Simply seeing Moiraine can be a big enough thing. She's at the top of Rand's list, and Rand "knows" she's dead. Seeing her alive again can be one very likely way to make Rand stop beating himself up so much over women (and the bonus of being a big help for ridding Lews Therin by putting Rand on the path -- or just that alone doing it even -- to laughter and tears again).

**It seems that unless something major happpens, this could take a good bit of time, for when we last saw Rand, he did not seem anywhere near approaching Cadsuane.**

Don't know what you mean. Rand has approached Cadsuane considerably since A Crown of Swords. Still has a way to go, but things are moving (annoyingly so).

And the Asha'man need to learn the same lesson Rand does: they're still human.

**The taint is gone, but Lews Therin is still there. Rand can still go insane at anytime.**

Can still go insane? Rand is mad now, not at some further point.

**Now I believe Semirhage is telling the truth right here. One, it all makes sense. Two, this would make Rand's followers uneasy about being around him. While that may seem like a good reason to lie, simply telling the truth would work as well. And finally, I just have that gut feeling that this is the truth.**

1. No, it doesn't all make sense. There are many problems completely left alone, ignored, or giving unsatisfying answers. But that's for another of my theories.

2. Yes, the truth would work in this situation -- but a lie and/or misleading comments works just as well.

3. Gut feelings don't factor into this.

**Sounds an awful lot like a Seanchan scout flying a to'raken to me.**

And to many others -- but Jordan confirmed it was indeed just a bat. He even tossed in the point that if anyone should be able to know what a raken or to'raken looked like, Egwene is right up there: she did spend quite some time in their captivity....

**Moggy and Cyndane are under Mordin's thumb, Grandal would not do something that risky, not Ana'gar, who is not in position to do anything, and Demandred hasn't made an obvious move the whole series.**

Well, unless Demandred was the one that ordered the Trolloc attack on Rand.

**There are three possible scenarios that could come of this. One, Nynaeve could study up it and fix his eyes. That is very unlikely, due to all the forewarnment we have had about Rand's eyes. Two, the blindness will take a long time to make him totally blind, and he won't have to worry about it. Three, he will go blind before Tarmon Gai'don.**

Or he won't go blind at all. His vision now is enough for him to be in the final stage of the Fisher, he doesn't need to go completely blind as far as I recall. Just enough for a bandage over his eyes.

And also don't forget that Rand's wound is no longer closed; it still can't be Healed, but now is bleeding.

**For all we know, however, Rand could just simply go to Shayol Ghul and reseal the Bore.**

Well, the Bore will need to be resealed in any event. But I don't see how you'd say it's "just" doing that. That in itself is going to be a major feat, since it is in the heart of the Shadow's control. Lots of Trollocs there, for example....

**This means after Tarmon Gai'don, Mordin and Lews Therin will leave him in peace.**

I don't see how you know that it's "after" the Last Battle.

**He who is dead yet lives. The true Dragon reborn is dead to the world, but Rand al'Thor lives on. Again, what the finns told him. To live, you must die. For Rand to survive the turmoil after Tarmon Gai'don, he must disapear. It is as simple as that.**

Yeah, except for that whole "die" part...

Rand will die. He's prophecized to die. His soul will be returned to the soul pool to be reborn again and again. Hence how he dies and lives.

**But he didn't choose for any of this to happen; he was chosen, by none less then the Creater himself.**

By the Wheel/Pattern. The Creator doesn't do anything in this world except way back when he originally created it.

4

Ozymandias: 2006-10-22

From what I remember, it was pretty well thought out. As personal preference, you might want to concentrate on a few areas, makes it easier to discuss... for example, you are clearly wrong in supporting Callandor's Verin theory ;).

Haha but personal squabbles aside, I had a few points I remembered. Firstly, as I pointed out, in a theory so huge you miss proving a few points. Point in case: The White Tower and the Seanchan. You're ideas for how that scenario plays out aren't really there. The evidence you gave for why things will happen up there seemed tangential at best, or just predicting the obvious. We've been told the Seanchan will attack. This seems more like a listing of events in the book that might/will happen than any real prediction. Events only slightly related to Rand, at that.

Secondly, how is Rand going to somehow give credit to Logain for defeating the Dark One? Everyone knows Rand is the Dragon Reborn; everyone saw Logain humbled by Siuan. That just didn't make sense.

And thirdly I have to defend a favorite pet theory of mine... about Moridin. It is still completely within the realm of possiblity Moridin and Rand merge. The only evidence we have of Rand and merging with someone else is that quote by Min (I won't dig it up, you all know what I'm talking about). We all assume this means Lews Therin. Assumed, actually, since we've already had evidence it can't be Lews Therin. So why not Moridin? They clearly are beginning to mesh together... seeing through each others eyes, stuff of that nature... so why not? Its just as viable as anything else. Easily the 2nd most viable option, if not the first.

Plus... what is taking RJ so long? I realize the man is going through some intense times, has he had the surgery yet? I want my book twelve.

5

Cholly: 2006-10-24

Okay Callandor,

*- Well, this isn't so much a theory but a collection of ideas and summations, but let's see. -*

Do I not come up with an overall view of what Rand has to do. Is that not a theory-I predict what will happen?

*-Simply seeing Moiraine can be a big enough thing. She's at the top of Rand's list, and Rand "knows" she's dead. Seeing her alive again can be one very likely way to make Rand stop beating himself up so much over women (and the bonus of being a big help for ridding Lews Therin by putting Rand on the path -- or just that alone doing it even -- to laughter and tears again). -*

Yes, I can agree with that, but you can't deny she still may have some new information from her time being captured.

*-Don't know what you mean. Rand has approached Cadsuane considerably since A Crown of Swords. Still has a way to go, but things are moving (annoyingly so). -*

Rand is only doing this much with Cadsuane because of Min, and her vision. Without that, he is as distant as ever. Even with it, he is as cautious as ever.

*-And to many others -- but Jordan confirmed it was indeed just a bat. He even tossed in the point that if anyone should be able to know what a raken or to'raken looked like, Egwene is right up there: she did spend quite some time in their captivity.... -*

Callandor, are you saying you do not believe there will be a battle between the White Tower and the Seanchan? There is innumerable amounts of proof that will happen, even excluding the "bat"

*-Rand will die. He's prophecized to die. His soul will be returned to the soul pool to be reborn again and again. Hence how he dies and lives. -*

Sorry, he's not going to die. It is not prophecized.

Ozy

Time has a way of changing. There is a quote where Thom says that in X number of years from now, himself or Mat may be the hero of this story. And the point of this was to figure out what Rand had to do, which I did.

Tam

That is exactly what I mean about the Min situation. She is the one weakness he has; the shadow has to exploit it.

Jak

I really don't see him getting a lot of glory out of that. The world dosne't really know they are bad, and in the amount of time left, it would be hard to spread the message, which, when/if Logain takes over, according to you, he wouldn't want it spread that the Black tower was once really in the hands of the shadow.

6

Traveller: 2006-10-27

One quote stood out to me most of all, which may disagree with one of your later points:

" 'The north and the east must be as one. The west and the south must be as one. The two must be as one.' "

This suggests as you said that the seanchan will join with Rand, but also suggests a different alliance. I understand that by the North, this prophecy is referring to the Blight and therefore the DO's forces, but then what does the east refer to? I do not think that it refers to the aiel as most of them follow rand, but then that leaves shara. I think that this suggests the Sharans WILL journey across to Randland and also be on the DO's side, whereas you suggested that they would stay put in Shara and not get involved.

7

Callandor: 2006-10-27

**Do I not come up with an overall view of what Rand has to do. Is that not a theory-I predict what will happen?**

You're predicting that other people's theories will be correct? No, I don't call that a theory. This is a collection of ideas and summations put into one place -- as used in the title, a checklist.

As Ozy said:

**Firstly, as I pointed out, in a theory so huge you miss proving a few points. Point in case: The White Tower and the Seanchan. You're ideas for how that scenario plays out aren't really there. The evidence you gave for why things will happen up there seemed tangential at best, or just predicting the obvious. We've been told the Seanchan will attack. This seems more like a listing of events in the book that might/will happen than any real prediction. Events only slightly related to Rand, at that.**

**Yes, I can agree with that, but you can't deny she still may have some new information from her time being captured.**

When did I? Almost surely the most important thing Moiraine will be just with Rand himself (a la, the laughter and tears). She can of course do other things. As I've said elsewhere, it's not as if Moiraine is going to appear to Rand, be the event that makes him break down, and then gets struck with lightning or something else that kills her immediately. More than likely she'll be doing many important things. But the big one almost certainly won't be anything else than appearing to Rand.

**Rand is only doing this much with Cadsuane because of Min, and her vision. Without that, he is as distant as ever. Even with it, he is as cautious as ever.**

...

So? He's still has approached Cadsuane. It's not like things are still as they were in A Crown of Swords. Things could of course be better and most certainly will, but they've progressed far more than you were framing them to be. Yet again, it's not like they're starting from scratch. They've progressed.

**Callandor, are you saying you do not believe there will be a battle between the White Tower and the Seanchan? There is innumerable amounts of proof that will happen, even excluding the "bat"**

Wowsers, what a strawman. Where on earth did I say ANYTHING about the Seanchan not attacking? I specifically was dealing with the issue of saying it looked like a Seanchan raken or to'raken. Jordan has said quite clearly that it's not. That is a specific issue.

**Sorry, he's not going to die. It is not prophecized.**

I don't know how often I have to keep reminding you of that pesky prophecy that you yourself quoted in your other theory (though completely overlooking half of it).

**And the point of this was to figure out what Rand had to do, which I did.**

Again, back to what Ozy said: they're correct.

8

JakOShadows: 2006-10-28

Traveller:

The only flaw with that is that the last phrase "The two must be as one" signifies that the two sides have to be in an alliance. I don't see the DO and Rand creating an alliance. So I think that rules out your interpretation.

9

Wompat: 2006-10-29

Traveller:

I disagree with your assessment of the quote. the north is the blight border while the east is the countries under rand....andor, carhein, tear, illian....the south is those other countries on the sea of storms: altara, tarabon, amadicia....and the west is arad doman, the Seanchan have the south and the west while rand has the north and the east....at least theoretically. the motives of the borderlander kings is unknown as is rands control in andor, plus we now have good reason to believe that rand may wrest control of the West and south from the seanchan via help from Ituralde and galad, whether either know that theyre helping rand or not.

im pretty sure i have seen documentation from RJ saying that the sharans wont come into play and there will be no more forays into seanchan proper.

for the prophesy to be fullfilled, i see one of two things happening, rand will meet up with mat and tuon and they'll join forces, or rands plan with the ashaman in the west will give him sufficient control over the lands for him to decide to begin TG. after all while TG may be coming eventually, he can initiate it any time he choses.

10

Traveller: 2006-10-29

Hehe. I understood the last phrase saying how two must become one as referring to each pair and simply emphasising the messages, but what you said about it referring to the pairs joining does make sense now I look at it. Or then again it could refer not to an alliance but to a clash between their forces. But I think that that doesn't really stand up to much scrutiny.

I really need someone to show me this quote about Shara not coming into play- I am disappointed if it is true as I was looking forward to their input after reading about them in The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Oh well, one can't have everything.

11

Callandor: 2006-11-01

**I really need someone to show me this quote about Shara not coming into play- I am disappointed if it is true as I was looking forward to their input after reading about them in The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time. Oh well, one can't have everything.**

No main characters are going to Seanchan or Shara beyond what has already occured (IE: Rand and Aviendha's excursion). In Knife of Dreams, we saw a man who is almost certainly a Sharan, but in Tear. That I'd say is the only extent to which they'd be involved -- very indirectly.

**Q: In a previous statement, I believe you had basically said that the action of the series would take place in the lands known to Rand and his friends, i.e. not Shara or Seanchan, and yet the new book has a lot of stuff about those lands. Have you changed your mind? Is action in either of these two lands a possibility now?

A: No. Except for the possible occasional divergence -- except for Rand's excursions to Seanchan when he chased after Aviendha. I was willing to put as much as I did into the guide because I will not be using those things in the books in the same way that I used Kandor or Saldaea.**

**There are no plans to visit Seanchan in any greater extent than it already has been visited, and there are not going to be any visits to Shara either.**

So at most we'll have rumors from Shara or about it, or see some refugees, or for example the rulers that Graendal captured. But it's not going to be a focus, such as Andor or Cairhien.

12

Ozymandias: 2006-11-22

Traveller, you said:

**" 'The north and the east must be as one. The west and the south must be as one. The two must be as one.' "

This suggests as you said that the seanchan will join with Rand, but also suggests a different alliance. I understand that by the North, this prophecy is referring to the Blight and therefore the DO's forces, but then what does the east refer to? I do not think that it refers to the aiel as most of them follow rand, but then that leaves shara. I think that this suggests the Sharans WILL journey across to Randland and also be on the DO's side, whereas you suggested that they would stay put in Shara and not get involved.**

I'm not sure this is accurate. I have heard people who think this particular prophecy speaks in general terms (just as in everyone needs to work together), and you seem to think this will draw Shara, of all people, into the equation. This is more or less impossible. From a purely practical standpoint, Jordan doesn't have the time or space to add a whole new slew of characters (as is his wont when introducing a new nation/race) and still finish his book in less than a few thousand pages. In addition, its not Robert Jordan's style to have a deus ex machina to show up and save the day except in one case I can remember. There won't be a 5 million man army of Sharans appearing at Shayol Ghul to slaughter the Trollocs. Perish the thought (the one example I could think of was Dumai's Wells).

As a general piece of advice I don't trust the BWB to predict events or even contain relevant things. The entire point of the damn thing is that its parts of the story that have not, will not, or cannot appear in the actual stories... I tend to think that most of the things we see in there are completely irrelevant as plot devices. Just a thought to keep in mind when reading it.

Beyond this, I thought this prophecy was clear to everyone from the beginning. It is vague in the sense it DOES mean all the lands must unite. But its very specific in the sense that it targets 4 distinct power bases. Borderlanders, Aiel (Rand's personal army), Seanchan, and the four nations nominally under Rand's control (Cairhein, Tear, Illian, Andor, and subsidary states like Mayene or Ghealdean). So yes, this theory DOES give a specific course of action, it tells that 4 distinct regions must be as one. The north does NOT refer to the forces of the Dark One, and it is even less likely that the "east" is the Sharans. As well as assume that the "south" is some huge army of dolphins that will come to help Rand by shooting poison needles out of their blowholes (just watched that Simpsons episode).

Apologies for my on-again, off-again presence at the site. I've been reading the Dark Tower several times over. As wildly inappropriate as it is... gotta pitch those books here for a second, haha.

13

Hugin and Munin: 2006-12-21

Hey guys, first post, just wanna say Hi.

Looking thru this, I'm not ready to try and disprove anything (especially not against Callandor ^_^) but one thing just jumped out at me...

About Rands Sight.

Quote:

(Knife Of Dreams : Chapter 27, A Plain Wooden Box, Page 590)

Nynaeve speaking:

"There's something wrong with your eyes," she said with a frown. "I'm afraid to try fixing that without studying on it. The smallest mistake could blind you. How well can you see? How many fingers am I holding up?

"Two. I can see fine," he lied. The black flecks were gone, but everything still seemed seen through water, and he wanted to squint against a sun that appeared to glare ten times brighter then it had. The old wounds in his side were knotted with pain.

---Its that bit about the Black Flecks.

We know that the guy in Shadar Logath when Sammael was killed was Moridin and they touched Balefire links right?

What if the cause of the sickness was the fact that Rand can now channel or be linked to Moridins usage of the True Power???.

It'd help explain some of the rapid growth of the sickness and why its still accelerating.

We know Moridin is the only one to Use the True Power and he does.

The Saa (the black flecks) appear almost constantly in his eyes.

Whatta think?

It just literally occured!

14

Callandor: 2006-12-24

**We know that the guy in Shadar Logath when Sammael was killed was Moridin and they touched Balefire links right?

What if the cause of the sickness was the fact that Rand can now channel or be linked to Moridins usage of the True Power???.**

The idea has been floated around before, but it fails under one key thing: we've seen them before with people get slapped/hurt their head. They're equivalent to "seeing stars."

**TITLE: Fires of Heaven

CHAPTER: 34 - A Silver Arrow

The flow holding Liandrin's tongue vanished, and she barely paused to swalldw. "Please, Great Mistress, I swear I did not mean--" Her head rang and silvery black spots danced before her eyes from Moghedien's slap.**

**TITLE: Crown of Swords

CHAPTER: 17 - The Triumph of Logic

He looked back and spun just in time to drop his hat and catch the descending truncheon with his left hand instead of his skull. The blow stung his hand to numbness, but he held on desperately as thick fingers dug into his throat, forcing him back against the door to his room. His head hit with a thump. Silver-rimmed black spots danced in his vision, obscuring a sweating face. All he could really see was a big nose and yellow teeth, and those seemed hazy. Suddenly he realized he was on the far edge of consciousness; those fingers were closing off blood to his brain along with air. His free hand went beneath his coat, fumbling over the hilts of his knives as though his fingers no longer remembered what they were for. The cudgel wrenched free. He could see it rising, feel it rising to smash his skull. Focusing everything, he jerked a knife from its scabbard and thrust.**

**TITLE: Winter's Heart

CHAPTER: 25 - Bonds

He did not bother to mutter his oath this time, and Cadsuane's full-armed slap almost unhinged his jaw. Black spots shimmered in front of his eyes. One of the other women gasped.**

And maybe you say that these are just spots, but we've specifically seen "flecks" as well:

**TITLE: Dragon Reborn

CHAPTER: 30 - The First Toss

For a stretched-out moment he seemed to have no weight. Air whistled past his ears and ruffled his hair. He thought he heard the other man scream, or start to. The impact knocked all the air out of his lungs and made silver-black flecks dance across his blurring vision.**

**TITLE: Shadow Rising

CHAPTER: 47 - The Truth of a Viewing

Elaida waited with chill calm until she was done. Then her full-armed slap exploded across Siuan's face; she staggered, silver-black flecks dancing in her vision. "You are finished," Elaida said. "Did you think I-we- would allow you to destroy the Tower? Bring her!" Siuan stumbled as two of the Reds pushed her forward. Barely keeping her feet, she glared at them, but went as they directed. Who did she need to get word to? Whatever charges had been brought, she could counter them, given time. Even charges involving Rand; they could not fasten more than rumors to her, and she had played the Great Game too long to be beaten by rumors. Unless they had Min; Min could clothe rumors in truth. She ground her teeth. Burn my soul, I'll use this lot for fish bait!**

**TITLE: Crown of Swords

CHAPTER: 31 - Mashiara

"I will not die here," she muttered. "I will not die here!" She hammered a fist against the seat until she felt it bruise, fighting for the anger that would allow her to channel. She would not die. Not here. Alone. No one would know where she had died. No grave, just a corpse rotting at the bottom of the river. Her arm fell with a splash. She labored for breath. Flecks of black and silver danced in her eyes; she seemed to be looking down a tube. No anger, she realized dimly. She kept trying to reach for saidar, but without any belief that she would touch it, now. She was going to die here after all. No hope. No Lan. And with hope gone, flickering on the edge of consciousness like a guttering candle flame, she did something she had never done before in her life. She surrendered completely.**

**TITLE: Path of Daggers

CHAPTER: 25 - An Unwelcome Return

Alviarin murmured to herself as she rifled the folder. "This can go through, I suppose. But not this. Or this. And certainly not this!" She crumpled a decree, signed and sealed by the Amyrlin Seat, and tossed it to the floor contemptuously. Stopping beside Elaida's gilded chair, with the Flame of Tar Valon in moonstones atop its high back, she slapped the folder and her own parchment down on the table. And then slapped Elaida's face so hard she saw black flecks.**

**TITLE: Crossroads of Twilight

CHAPTER: 15 - Gathering Darkness

She flitted on, but for a moment, Elenia could not hear a word. She felt as though her skin had been stuffed with snow. Turning her head slightly, she met Naean's shocked gaze. There was no possible way Arymilla could know about their chance meeting, not yet, and even if she did, why would she offer them a chance to plot together? A trap? Spies to listen to what they said? Naean's maid, or. . . . Or Janny? The world seemed to spin. Black and silver flecks floated in front of Elenia's eyes. She thought she was about to faint.**

Even from Rand himself:

**TITLE: Fires of Heaven

CHAPTER: 52 - Choices

Agony in his chest, as if his heart was about to explode, in his head, white-hot nails driving into his brain, pain so strong that inside the Void he wanted to scream. Death was there, and he knew it. Frantically-even in the Void, frantic; emptiness shimmered, dwindled-he wove Spirit and Fire and Earth, flailing it wildly. His heart was no longer beating. Fingers of dark pain crushing the Void. Gray veil falling over his eyes. He felt his weave slice raggedly through hers. The burn of breath in empty lungs, lurch of heart beginning to pump again. He could see again, silver and black flecks floated between him and a stone-faced Lanfear still catching her balance from the rebound of her flows. The pain was there in head and chest like wounds, but the Void firmed, and bodily pain was remote.**

**TITLE: Lord of Chaos

CHAPTER: 1 - Lion on the Hill

For a moment Rand wavered, his vision a blur of black flecks. Shaking his head in an effort to clear his eyes, he used the practice sword to push himself to his feet. Panting hard, the shaven-headed man watched him cautiously.**

Given that Rand had just fallen down after the attack, it's far more likely that they were just the effects of that fall.

15

Catalyst: 2006-12-26

It would be interesting if Rand becomes capable to channel the True Power. We know that saidin and saidar can be used together, but is the same possible with the True Power? I would like to see a duel - Rand vs Moridin, and when Moridin tries to channel the TP, Rand overdraws from him: the bad guy is dead, or maybe only his soul, and the soul of the Kinslayer dismerges from Rand; the process is extremely painful and that heals LTT's madness, and so we have two Lords Dragons :)

I thought of "twice dawns the day" part. Mat is going to give up half the light of the world to save the world. TG is on the move, Mat does whatever-he-is-supposed-to, the light fades, and then the light appears again.

Just a thought.

16

Hugin and Munin: 2006-12-27

I'm thinking "Twice dawns the day" to be a version of the Nightflowers from the Illuminators or the Seanchan version from The Damane.

It'd help fufill part of a prophecy (Mat with his fist exploding, one of Egwenes I believe-though that, quite obviously is probably an allusion to gunpowder) and also, RJ has made lots of references to both but we've not seen them yet.

Think, The day dawns, TLB rages in whatever form, sun sets, they need more light....BOOM!

Suddenly its light again due to a Flare (Illuminator firework) or from a One Power burst (Kinda like a Aurora).

17

Catalyst: 2006-12-28

I reminded myself of the main theory here, and I also remembered Moridin's threat - he warned the other Forsaken not to damage Rand, but more than obviously Semirhage did it. She would get quite a punishment WHEN the Nae'blis finds out.

We know that ta'veren cause events to occur all across the Pattern. Think about it: Graendal is in Arad Doman, and so is Aviendha; we know what kind of event to expect WHEN they meet. Well, Graendal is stronger than Avi, and she has an angreal; Avi is weaker, but her angreal is greater than Graendal's. We might see how the Mindcrafter is going to react when captured.

About the laughter and tears, well... Rand uses the memory of Moiraine like hellfire for his soul. When he finds out she's alive, and Morgase is alive as well, and also finds out he will be a father - who would not weep on this?

Aaaaaargh... Meeting the mother-in-law, it is ALWAYS a tremendous event :)

Another funny thought: if Jordan decides to, he might write that the Finns tore Lanfear's soul out of her body (maybe this is the price SHE pays for her freedom), and the same happened to Moiraine... Lanfear becomes Cyndane, but her body is empty, and Moiraine places her soul in Lanfear's body - Thom old bloody Merrilin is going to have the most stunning wife :)

18

Anubis: 2007-01-12

**I reminded myself of the main theory here, and I also remembered Moridin's threat - he warned the other Forsaken not to damage Rand, but more than obviously Semirhage did it. She would get quite a punishment WHEN the Nae'blis finds out.**

I am sure of two things. If Semerhage showed up at Shayol Ghoul with Rand captured Morridins reaction would not be "You blew his hand off, how dare you!" I am also sure that if anyone could heal Rands injuries it would be Semerhage, so blowing off his hand might not actually be a big deal to her.

19

Ragner: 2007-02-13

Callandor.

Most of your qutoes to support the fact that the spots in Rand's eye are not Saa indicate that they are "silver black" spots, or something of that nature.

this does not in dicate that it definitly is Saa, but your quotes do not rule out the possibility either.

20

GamblersDice: 2007-03-21

Well this is interesting but there are a few possibiites you seem to be ignoring. And you haven't bothered with the biggest 2 factors of all, Mat and Perrin. They're Ta'veren too, and not much less than Rand (as far as I can tell thy're each about on par with Hawkwing while Rand is somewhat above them)

Just of the top of my head

The fleks across his eyes are not encroaching blindnss but rather the saa( the sypmtom of touching the True power, Moridin has plenty of them).

Possibly propgated by a connection with Moridin (i hold he was the stranger in Shadar Logoth who crossed balefire beams with Rand)

That also works with the blind beggar vision, he has a badage around his eyes to stop people from seeing the saa.

The attack on the tower: Sigifiyed by a bat (or draghkar) and ravens. Ravens do bring the Seanchan to mindbut who else is associated with them?

Mat! AND he's ta'veren, such a big prescence on the Pattern would most likely make his actions to show up in dreams even more

In fact Mat fits a lot of these roles (is it just me or does he fit a lot of the less than happy for the future of the white tower clues? I think he's going to be taking the self importance out of a whole LOT of Aes Sedai in the near future. Yay!)

I also remind you that Mat is the Hornsounder, and a book has to be written a certain way, it wouldn't do for Mat to be a the Last Battle then have Rand pop in give him the Horn and pop out. No, Mat is going to be called to Tarmon Gai'don, and he will raise his army and march North, stop at the White Tower where the Aes Sedai siege is still on. Demand his horn, demand his horn in a louder voice when neither side pays him any mind. Then he will threaten to Invade Tar Valon or something that the sisters are sure can't bee done without channeling. Then the "dragons" bring down the walls, and probably a considerable chunk of the white tower itself. Mat goes in loots the Tower gets his horn then marches off humming to himself.

This leaves a defenseless tar Valon and rebel army with no walls to stop them.

Oh and because Mat is busy and Egwene will have been herded like a novice there will be no meeting of them, and once she is Amrylin once more she will be damn sure Mat did it under Rands orders (hence the " he will know her anger" part.)

As for the Seanchan idea I can't help but feel any alliance between Rand and them is going to include a "no attacking anyone but shadow spawn until at least after TG" clause somewhere.

It's more likely the bat means that in the wake of Mat's attack with at least the south walls ot Tar Valon torn down (he comes from the south so theres no reason to attack the north) The forces of Light are pushed back from the Blight (how could an army fight in a land where a touch can kill?) since you can't really STOP a retreat if theres a following army; the borderlands, paticularly Shienar (the largest entrance into the blight) would eventually fall back. Almost directly south of shienar is Tar Valon where the retreating armies can fortify against and within it walls (whats left of them.) The bat means that Shadowspawn will attack Tar Valon because thats probably the furthest south they will have been pushed back. And since half the wall is down its probably gonna be a fair fight.

(At this point i think the Three Ta'veren and maybe some of the girls and Lan will NOT be at Tar Valon but in another border country or possibly in a raid into the blight. Somewhere where they stand a snowballs chance in hell of getting to Shayol Ghul