The opening scene of Episode 1 in Season 3 of "The Wheel of Time" pans out to Siuan, perched majestically atop her tower, surveying the sprawling Kingdom beneath her. From her elevated vantage point, she commands an unobstructed view, while down in the bustling market, Moiraine and Lan conceal themselves in the shadows, their eyes turned skyward in anticipation.
The narrative's first pivotal moment unfolds within the hallowed halls of the Tower, where the Sitting, Sealed to the Hall, gathers an assembly, including the formidable Red Ajah. Leane, with a stern resolve, bars entry to all Red Ajah members, save for Liandrin. She levels a grave accusation against Mother, charging her with violating long-standing Tower traditions by secretly meeting with Moiraine and aiding Rand's escape. However, a dramatic twist ensues as Liandrin Guirale is exposed as a Darkfriend. With Nynaeve present, she joins forces with her fellow sisters to thwart Liandrin's treacherous designs, plunging the hall into a tempest of confusion and combat.
The betrayal runs deep, as Nyomi reveals her true colors as a member of the Black Ajah and makes a daring escape with powerful artifacts entrusted to her and Verin by Siuan. Meanwhile, Liandrin, wielding formidable magic, leads a charge down to the docks, clearing a path through the throne room by felling everyone in her wake. Along their escape route, Alanna intervenes with Ihvon and Maksim, attempting to halt their progress. Though Liandrin is wounded in the fray, her strength proves too formidable, resulting in Ihvon's tragic demise as he is impaled by her attacks.
Nynaeve narrowly survives the onslaught and eventually reunites with Egwene, thanks to Lan and their companions. Elsewhere, Moiraine assigns Rand a critical mission: to accompany her to Tear, where an exceptionally powerful sa'angreal resides within the formidable Stone of Tear fortress. This artifact, a sword named Callandor, holds immense significance in the prophecy that guides them.
Intriguingly, the prophecy also mentions the "People of the Dragon," prompting Rand to consult with Loial for insight. However, the meaning of this term remains elusive. Perhaps it implies that Rand must assemble and command an army to fulfill his destiny. The stakes have never been higher, and the path ahead is fraught with peril and uncertainty.
After the attack, Moiraine made the decision that they should embark for Tear at dawn, emphasizing that they must proceed with caution so as not to reveal their whereabouts. Should whispers of the Dragon Reborn have reached this distant realm, it could herald grave peril for their group. Verin, now recovered, engaged in a conversation with Lan and Moiraine, issuing a grave warning: the battle was much nearer than they had anticipated. Moiraine found herself in a precarious situation, striving to shield Rand from the Aes Sedai's scrutiny, yet Verin's concerns lingered heavy. In light of Nyomi's betrayal—a girl she had nurtured since childhood—she harbored doubts about Rand's resistance to similar seductions.
Into this already complicated scenario stepped Selene, who arrived in town and taunted Moiraine, pointing out that she was acutely aware of Rand's darker facets, which Moiraine chose to overlook. For the moment, a fragile truce existed between them, but Lan was far from pleased. Neither he nor Moiraine trusted Selene, who was as unpredictable as a wildfire and could turn treacherous at any time. Thus, Moiraine entrusted Lan with retrieving his Malkieri blade, intending to eliminate Selene should she pose any threat.
Siuan paid a visit to Egwene and Nynaeve, endeavoring to convince them that Rand posed a danger to them all and that they needed to exercise caution. Egwene agreed to return to the Tower, but only on one condition—she demanded to pass through the Arches immediately.
Within the Arches, they uncovered a vision of a deranged Rand. Assuming the role of Mother, Egwene exhorted them to steel themselves and resist. Though this vision might yet materialize, upon her return, bloodstained yet resolute, it seemed Egwene had successfully navigated the trials.
Meanwhile, Elayne and Aviendha continued their flirtatious, passionate exchanges, while Egwene confided in Rand about her experiences within the Arches. She danced around the truth, reassuring him that she would stand by his side until the very end. However, her heart remained torn, grappling with haunting memories from the past.
That fateful night, the tranquil inn descended into chaos as multiple reflections of Rand emerged from the mirrors, engaging in a fierce battle with our very own Rand. Simultaneously, Perrin found himself under siege alongside Loial. Meanwhile, Mat was left in a trance on the ground floor, while Nynaeve was compelled to defend herself. Selene, weaving her magic with masterful deceit, orchestrated a scenario that convincingly suggested the Forsaken had set their sights on them. Despite the onslaught, Rand and his companions emerged unscathed, except for Nynaeve, who was left with eleven stab wounds—a grim twist that stunned Selene, as it had never been part of her initial blueprint.
Upon discovering that an assassin with ghostly gray eyes and fingers darkened by malice had traversed the inn unnoticed, Moiraine and Lan's revelations plunged Selene into a deep suspicion. She appeared to grasp the identity of the conjurer and urgently exhorted them to evacuate Rand from the city. However, Nynaeve, realizing her current strength was insufficient to stand by Rand's side in battle, declined to accompany him. Mat, too, chose to remain, seeking clarity within his troubled mind, while Perrin resolved to return home.
As for Rand, he reconsidered their intended journey to Tear and, instead, directed them towards the Aiel Waste—a desolate land where the Forsaken would least expect to uncover them. The episode culminated with Moghedien tormenting Jaichim, forcing him into a state of Grayness and sending him forth on a grim quest. Her sinister machinations were unmistakable; it was she who orchestrated the assassination attempt, casting a dark shadow over their path.
