The premier episode of "The Wheel Of Time" kicks off with Moiraine, an esteemed member of the Aes Sadai, meticulously preparing for the anticipated arrival of the Dragon Reborn. This enigmatic child, whoever he may be, must be located before the Dark Lord claims him. This realm teems with magic, as exemplified by Liandrin Guirale, a red-robed sorceress who relentlessly pursues a group of men across a rugged, barren wilderness. One of these men, seemingly possessed by formidable magical forces, grapples with controlling his abilities, haunted by visions of an elderly companion by his side – mere hallucinations that incite Liandrin to subject him to torment.
Perched high above, Moiraine stands firm in her conviction that this is not their quarry. Their destination lies in the Two Rivers, a picturesque medieval hamlet where whispers persist of Four Ta’veren who have recently come into their own. These four individuals are none other than Rand, a 20-year-old farmer, his lifelong friends Perrin and Mat, and the fiery-tempered Egwene.
Life in the Two Rivers pulses with revelry, as drinks flow freely, laughter fills the air, and camaraderie abounds. However, this joyous atmosphere is abruptly disrupted by the arrival of Lan and Moiraine, who cast a pall over the festivities. Moiraine, an Aes Sadai, makes herself at home, paying for a room and casting a discerning eye over the motley crew of characters before ascending the stairs.
Meanwhile, amidst the revelry, a tender romance blossoms between Perrin and Laila, their exchange of "I love you" and "I know" echoing a galaxy far, far away. Elsewhere, Rand and Egwene find themselves sharing a passionate kiss amidst the laundry, which quickly escalates. Unbeknownst to them, a sinister shadowy figure – later revealed to be a Myrddraal, or "Fade" – looms over the village from afar, watching with malevolent intent.
Nyn harbors no illusions about Moiraine's presence, and the mutual sentiment is far from affectionate when they converse. As the narrative unfolds, we discover that Nyn's adoptive mother, after an arduous trek on foot to the Aes Sedai's headquarters—the White Tower, was callously rejected. Their interaction now hangs perilously on a razor's edge.
In the depths of the forest, Lan stumbles upon an eerie omen: an entire flock of sheep, butchered and arranged in a chilling circle upon the earth, encircled by a puddle of blood. This grim warning arrives too little, too late, as Lan approaches Moiraine, urging her departure. Trollocs, these monstrous hybrids of man and beast created for war, are encroaching.
Meanwhile, a festival celebrating the deceased is in full swing when catastrophe strikes with breathtaking abruptness. The Trollocs unleash havoc upon the unsuspecting townsfolk. Tam engages a solitary Trolloc, but it is Rand who delivers the fatal blow. Alas, Tam is gravely wounded in the ensuing fray, poisoned by a Trolloc's blade.
Moiraine, with her overwhelming magical prowess, arrives on the scene and swiftly dispatches these minions, turning the tables of battle and igniting the villagers' courage to retaliate—at least initially. When reinforcements appear, Moiraine sustains a wound to her shoulder. Despite this, she manages to muster enough magic to repel the advancing Trollocs, though the damage has already run deep.
Two Rivers lies in smoldering ruins, its streets strewn with casualties. Nyn has vanished, and Tam is gravely ill from the Trolloc poison. Though Moiraine manages to expunge the toxin, greater perils loom.
Addressing the others, Moiraine reveals that the Trollocs have come for the same reason she and Lan have: one among them is the Dragon Reborn. With 300 Trollocs on their way, the quartet must flee. Remaining would seal their fate. Time is of the essence; they must depart immediately before the entire Trolloc horde descends.
