Episode 4 of "The Wheel of Time" unfolds in the kingdom of Ghealdan, where the King and his four loyal guards find themselves ensnared in a perilous assault orchestrated by the sorcerer Logain Ablar, his magic weaving through the air like a deadly tapestry. As Logain corners the monarch, he issues a grim warning: the Aes Sedai are hot on his trail. Logain sneers in response, asserting that it is he who they ought to be chasing.
Suddenly, an eerie, ethereal voice, belonging to a woman named Elusha, pierces through the air, manifesting as wisps of dark smoke that curl and writhe with sinister grace. This phantom voice persuades Logain to slay the King, but to everyone's astonishment, he instead heals the monarch's wounds and extends an olive branch. "There is a place at my side," he intones, "even for enemies."
The scene shifts to the present, where Moiraine joins her fellow Aes Sedai in ensnaring Logain within a special magical prison. Here, she learns from her peers that Logain has declared himself the Dragon Reborn, a title that has garnered him thousands of devoted followers and transformed him into a tangible threat.
With the Aes Sedai assembled, they resolve to escort Logain to the White Tower for trial. Yet, even if he is not the Dragon, his immense power cannot be denied, a reality that Moiraine acknowledges with a heavy heart. Vigilance, she knows, will be their watchword.
Elsewhere, Perrin and Egwene find themselves aligned with a caravan bound by the Way of the Leaf, a pacifist philosophy embraced by the Seekers. Their creed is clear: if attacked, they flee rather than fight. With limited options, the pair decides to embark on this journey with the caravan.
As the sun dips below the horizon and the stars begin to twinkle above, a poignant conversation unfolds between Ila and Perrin. They delve into the essence of living for peace rather than revenge, their words weaving a tapestry of wisdom under the watchful gaze of the night sky.
Concurrently, Mat and Rand find themselves pondering Moraine's enigmatic statement about five of them potentially being the Dragon Reborn. The identity of this enigmatic fifth individual gradually unfolds to be Logain. As they wander through the woods, they encounter a humble farmhand and arrange for their overnight stay by offering to lend a hand with some arduous chores. Inevitably, this physical exertion leads Mat into a realm of hallucinations.
Meanwhile, outside a secluded cave, Liandrin, the sinister red-robed woman who earlier hunted down a fellow traveler in the series' premiere, seeks out Nyn for a conversation. However, Nyn, deeply suspicious, instantly raises her guards. After Liandrin's departure, Nyn dismissively labels her as a serpent. Ironically, it is with Lan that Nyn lowers her defenses, finding herself inexplicably drawn closer to him.
That evening, Nyn joins the Warders, a brotherhood residing at the esteemed White Tower. While the atmosphere is initially filled with mirth and camaraderie, Nyn's inquiry about serving the Aes Sedai casts a serious tone over the gathering. As the night progresses and the group prepares to depart, Lan seeks out Moiraine, querying whether Logain possesses greater strength than Egwene and delving further into the notion of him being the Dragon Reborn.
Meanwhile, chaos reigns supreme at the farm, where every endeavor has taken a grim turn. Mat, seemingly contaminated by an unseen force, clutches the jeweled knife from episode two, its glinting blade pointing menacingly into the encroaching darkness. Rand and Thom dash in to his aid, just as Mat whispers, "I see you," as a Fade materializes from the shadows. Thom, brave and steadfast, stays to engage the creature while Rand, side by side with Mat, flees the impending doom. Tragically, in his possessed state, Mat has also wrought havoc, leaving the farm's inhabitants slain in his wake.
Elsewhere, the Aes Sedai find themselves encircled by Logain's relentless army, the sky darkening with a volley of arrows that the sisters swiftly counteract with their formidable abilities. Logain himself awakens, his power unleashed as he forcefully sends two sisters flying. His numerous followers surge forward, and as the group retreats into the woods, they battle valiantly against the advancing army, yet it appears their numbers are overwhelming. Logain breaks free from his confines and confronts Moiraine head-on.
"Why should I trust that you are the Dragon Reborn?" she queries, her tone filled with skepticism. This entire scenario is a clever ploy to distract Logain and reimprison him. However, the stakes rise as one of the sisters falls, Liandrin's powers flickering out. Maksim, a valiant Warder, leaps into action but meets his fate, and Lan too begins to bleed out, his strength ebbing.
Witnessing this惨状, Nyn's scream pierces the heavens, her despair igniting a colossal surge of energy that leaves others wondering—could she be the Dragon in disguise?
