At the dawn of Episode 1 of The Wheel of Time's second season, a young girl's curiosity leads her to touch the blazing flame of Tar Valon. Almost instantaneously, her gaze is met by the looming presence of trollocs advancing upon her. In a panic, she bolts into a neighboring abode, but her refuge is short-lived as she finds herself confronted by Ishmael. He raises the specter of his monstrous label, probing her to gauge if she, too, deems him a wicked entity. Her Assurance of his innocence earns her the astonishing privilege of stroking a trolloc under his supervision.
Elsewhere, Moiraine is engrossed in sorrow, grappling with the loss of her ability to wield The One Power. Much time has elapsed since her and Rand's fateful confrontation with Ishmael amidst the ruins of Fal Dara. Shortly thereafter, Moiraine receives a visitor, announced by Lan, whose bond with her is visibly waning since their severance from The One Power.
At The White Tower, the scene shifts to Nynaeve and Egwene, immersed in their rigorous training to become Aes Sedai. While Egwene throws herself wholeheartedly into the drills, Nynaeve stands firm, defiantly resisting the use of The One Power. Her stance stems from a profound conviction that such immense power should not rest in the hands of a single individual.
Meanwhile, Liandrin keeps a vigilant watch over the two novices, scheming to exploit the current situation to propel her ambitions. Elsewhere, Perrin engages in a poignant conversation with Liolal, his mind heavy with the belief that Rand has perished. This tragic realization fuels his concern for his remaining friends, especially Mat.
In the climactic episode of the first season, Padan Fain was caught red-handed, sneaking away with the Horn of Valare from the clutches of Perrin and Liolal. This treacherous act sparked a resolution in the duo to embark on a perilous journey together, determined to track down Fain and reclaim the Horn. Throughout their quest, Perrin's fury towards Fain intensified, fueled by bitter memories. Once, Fain had been a familiar presence in the Two Rivers, where Perrin, his late beloved wife, and the villagers had extended their hospitality and aid without reservation. In a grim twist of fate, Fain betrayed their trust by leading trollocs to their village, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life, including the tragic demise of Perrin's wife. This betrayal ignited a burning desire for vengeance in Perrin's heart.
Elsewhere, Moiraine, the enigmatic traveler, possessed a quindiar adorned with a poem inscribed upon it. She offered both items in exchange for payment, but to Fain's astonishment, she only purchased the poem. Soon after, Moiraine found herself urging Lan to abandon her, yet his stubborn resolve refused to budge.
At the White Tower, a dramatic scene unfolded as Liandrin, wielding The One Power, pressured Nynaeve to embrace her latent abilities. Compelled to defend herself, Nynaeve tapped into The One Power, prompting Liandrin to plant the seed of ambition in her mind, hinting at a future where she would wield immense power.
Meanwhile, Lan confronted Moiraine, seeking clarity on her sudden distancing. In parallel, Liandrin held Mat captive, taunting him by reciting a letter from Perrin intended for Nynaeve and Egwene, conveniently omitting any mention of Mat.
As Lan attempted to reconcile with Moiraine in her chambers, he discovered her absence. Spotting Moiraine atop a horse, the Fade launched a surprise attack, wounding her. Lan, brave and relentless, rushed to her side, engaging the Fade with all his might. Despite his valiant efforts, Lan too fell victim to the Fade's relentless assault. Just when all seemed lost, Verin and Adeleas arrived on the scene, providing timely assistance and bringing the thrilling episode to a dramatic close.
