Fleeing from Ebou Dar, Mat Cauthon learns that he can neither keep his betrothed nor let her go. Perrin Aybara seeks to free his wife, Faile, a captive of the Shaido, but his only hope may be an alliance with the enemy. At Tar Valon, Egwene al'Vere, the young Amyrlin of the rebel Aes Sedai, lays siege to the heart of Aes Sedai power, but she must win quickly. In Andor, Elayne Trakland fights for the Lion Throne that is hers by right, but enemies and Darkfriends plot her destruction. And Rand al'Thor, the Dragon Reborn himself, is hated even while prophesied to save the world. In the tenth book of THE WHEEL OF TIME, the world and the characters stand at a crossroads, and the world approaches twilight, when the power of the Shadow grows stronger.