In the opening scene of Episode 2 of Season 2 of "The Wheel of Time," Rand endeavors to establish a new life for himself in Cairheien. Through a casual remark from a young woman, it becomes apparent that he has been spending his nights with her on a regular basis. Recalling the season one finale, Rand had reluctantly relinquished his desire to be with Egwene, driven by the revelation that male channelers inevitably succumb to madness and commit acts of violence against their loved ones. The prospect of harming those he cherishes fills him with dread, prompting him to urge Moraine to disseminate the rumor of his demise.
The narrative then shifts to Perrin and the Shienarans, who persist in their noble quest to track down Padan Fain and reclaim the Horn of Valere. As they press forward, Perrin is haunted by troubling visions from his past, casting a shadow over their journey. Shortly thereafter, they encounter the lifeless body of a Fade, prompting them to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding these enigmatic creatures.
Meanwhile, Moraine informs Lan of her intention to return to The White Tower with him, though their strained relationship necessitates brief and matter-of-fact exchanges. Elsewhere, Liandrin endeavors to persuade Nynaeve to join the Red Ajah, outlining her ambitious plan to harness The One Power in such a way that the Aes Sedai might attain immortality and render the healing services of the Yellow Ajah obsolete. Following this, Liandrin visits Mat, delivering food to him before departing, leaving him to resume his efforts to carve an escape route through the wall of his confinement.
With Nynaeve now absent, Egwene encounters a royal figure, engaging in a captivating conversation that draws them closer together. In a separate thread of the narrative, Rand finds himself confronted by a man he had previously quarreled with. Drawing upon The One Power, he defends himself and inadvertently kills the assailant, yet the act leaves him fearful of succumbing to the madness that plagues other male channelers.
Upon entering his chamber, Rand finds Selene awaiting him. He requests solitude, but she persists, insisting on offering her support. Their conversation evolves into a heartfelt exchange about their respective true loves, as they both bare their vulnerabilities and forge a deeper connection.
The narrative then pivots to Moiraine, who, upon being queried about her encounter with Lan, unfolds a tale from her bygone days. At this juncture, a wave of nostalgia washes over Moiraine and Lan, their emotions surfacing as they relive cherished memories. Meanwhile, Mat swiftly carves a passage through the wall, uncovering Min, who languishes in the adjacent cell, her囚禁 becoming his pathway to her. A heartfelt conversation blossoms between Mat and Min, their rapport evident and warming. Yet, their tranquil moment is interrupted by a haunting vision Min experiences—Mat standing over a slain Rand.
Elsewhere, Nynaeve trails Liandrin, who leads her to her ailing son. Despite Nynaeve's better judgment to steer clear of Liandrin, her curiosity gets the better of her. When she attempts to diagnose the boy's condition, Liandrin retaliates with a swift slap, prompting Nynaeve's retreat. Later, as Nynaeve seeks out Egwene, she eavesdrops on her conversation with the royal figure. Egwene's lament about Nynaeve's absence when she needed her most strikes a chord of sadness within Nynaeve, prompting her to withdraw to her chamber in distress.
The royal, sensing Egwene's envy towards Nynaeve, remarks that jealousy does not complement her. Shortly thereafter, Liandrin arrives and escorts Nynaeve to the other sisters, announcing that Nynaeve is ready to confront her deepest fears.
In a poignant exchange, Moiraine and Lan reflect on the pivotal moment when Moiraine designated Lan as her Warder. Subsequently, Moiraine entrusts Lan to Alanna, who initially resists but relents after Moiraine's words sting his pride.
Concurrently, the Shadowspawn declare war on Perrin and his Shienaran companions. Liolal, among others, falls under attack, but Perrin ultimately comes to his rescue. However, their fortune takes a drastic turn when Ishmael and the Shadowspawn abduct Perrin and the Shienarans, spiriting them away.
The episode reaches its climactic peak in a heart-pounding instant, where Rand voluntarily steps forward, boldly extending his hand to Logain, who happens to be a patient within the very medical facility where Rand tirelessly toils.
