The Wheel of Time

The world is broken.

- - Many, many years ago,

men who were born with great power believed

they could cage Darkness itself.

The arrogance.

When they failed, the seas boiled,

mountains were swallowed up,

cities burned,

and the women of the Aes Sedai were left to pick up the pieces.

These women remembered one thing above all else...

the man who brought the Breaking of the World.

And him they named Dragon.

Now, this man has been born again.

We don't know where or to whom.

If he was reborn as a girl or a boy.

The only thing we know for certain is that

this child is coming of age now,

and we must find them...

before the Dark does.

Hurry up!

- - Hyah! Hyah!

Hyah!

Stop!

I said stop!

We can't die like this.

You can fight them. Use it.

Don't hurt him.

It's not his fault.

Who are you talking about?

There's one else here.

The madness already has him.

You see, what we've come here do...

it's a gift.

You should thank me, really.

This Power...

it's meant for women...

...and women alone.

And when you touch it...

...you make it filthy.

Please. No.

- Please. - Sisters.

Please, no. No!

Please!

It's not him.

He was born 20 years ago,

almost to the day the prophecy of the Dragon Reborn predicted.

He's able to touch the Source.

- It's not him. -

Where next?

The Two Rivers.

There are rumors of four ta'veren there,

all the right age.

The Old Blood runs deep in those mountains.

Let's hope it's prepared them for what's coming.

This braid will remind you that you are a part of us

and we a part of you.

To be a woman is to be always alone and never alone.

So when the Dark surrounds you and you see no Light,

feel this braid and know that we all stood before you.

We all stand with you.

As Wisdom of the Two Rivers,

it's my honor to welcome you

to the Women's Circle.

Be strong, Egwene.

Trust the river.

I remember when this road was just a little deer path,

winding down the mountain.

How'd you get the wool to town?

Carried it.

- And the brandy? -

That stayed home.

- Your mother could drink. -

More wolves now.

Something's been pushing them down from the mountain.

When you were just tiny,

we'd let you out in these woods alone

to look for berries.

You'd always save a basket of them

in the barn to take to Egwene.

Sounds like I used to be a real sap.

The Coplins and Congars were worried

we might be without apple brandy this Bel Tine.

Wouldn't want them to remember a minute of it.

Right. Gentlemen, and lady,

I want to thank you all very much

for bearing with me tonight.

Can't imagine it's been easy to part with all your money,

but...

- You'll get 'em next time, Mat. - Next time?

How about right now? Eh? Anyone?

You don't have anything left to bet.

Come on. Sit down.

How are you?

- How're the girls? - You can spot me.

One game, three of us. Old time's sake, eh?

- Come on. We're talking. - About what?

- You're married, your life's over. -

And Rand's pining over Egwene, cold in the mountains,

only the sheep to keep him warm.

- Did you hear already? - Hear what?

A few folks went down to Taren Ferry with the wool last week.

Town was full of soldiers and mercenaries headed south.

- Why? - They said there's a war in Ghealdan.

In Ghealdan? Who cares?

It was Callie Coplin told you that, wasn't it?

- So? - She'd piss in your mouth and tell you it was raining.

So, come on.

Let's play.

- No? - No.

No?

Okay, fine.

Enough of you guys.

Danya.

How much money did he lose today?

- I lost count, but it was more than enough. -

My girl.

You're back.

I was worried that...

Come on, then.

- We're losing a coin for every empty hand here. - No.

- You drink with us tonight. -

Marin! A drink for your daughter!

- Cheers, everybody. - Hey. -

- - Cheers!

How did her ceremony go today?

I don't know, actually. We, uh...

We haven't talked yet.

- I'm sure she's just busy. - Yeah, yeah.

I'm sure.

Name yourself, stranger.

Lan Mandragoran.

This is Moiraine.

Milady, can I help you?

We'll need stables for our horses

and a room for the night.

Two beds and fresh linen. That's all we need.

Of course, Moiraine Sedai.

If you'll come this way.

She looks like a normal person.

- I don't know, I... - Quiet.

Who knows what she can hear?

Maybe she's headed to the war in the south?

In the stories,

they say one Aes Sedai can turn a battle on her own.

I don't care where she's going to,

but we'll all be happier and safer when she's there.

Where's Laila?

Probably at the forge.

Iron's hard to work alone.

Give Egwene my best.

What are you doing in here?

Everyone is at the inn.

They said you didn't even go to her ceremony.

I love you.

I know.

Mum? Mum, what are you doing here?

Same thing as anyone else.

- Where's Dad? - Huh.

Right where the whole town could see him.

- The prick. - Who's with the girls?

That pig!

Come on. Time to go home, Mum.

- I will go wherever I want. - Please.

- - How are you?

Matty, is Mum sick again?

- I'm fine, you little bi... - She's all right.

- - Don't worry.

You're going to be just like your dad.

I know it.

Damn prick like him.

Hey.

How about you two sleep with me tonight, instead of Mum and Dad?

Yeah?

Cheers. Come on, then.

A thousand wars have washed over

the lands down-mountain,

and Two Rivers folk don't have any more need

to pay attention now than before.

War is just fools killing other fools for foolish causes.

Aes Sedai don't fight wars.

They pull the strings of the world from their White Tower.

And if one of them's here...

Then she'll enjoy Bel Tine tomorrow like the rest of us.

Rand, Egwene, why don't you two finish up the dishes?

Of course.

You've been avoiding me.

Or biding my time until I could get you alone?

How'd it go today?

- You know I can't talk about... - It's me.

You can at least say if it was good or bad.

It was...

...good.

I'm sorry, it's just...

I'm thinking about something that Nynaeve...

You know...

...my dad said I used to pick baskets of berries

to bring to you when I was a kid.

- Like some lovesick puppy. -

Mm. Sounds sweet to me.

Has that been in your pocket all day?