The Great Hunt

After another day spent waiting at Kinslayer’s Dagger with no result, Rand sleeps fitfully. Half awake, he becomes aware of Selene rooting through his saddlebag. She claims she is only looking for a change of clothes. He gives her one of his shirts and tells her that they will depart for Cairhien the following day. She tries to dissuade him, filling his head with thoughts of fame and glory. Hurin interrupts; he has spotted a small fire only a couple of miles away. Certain it is Fain, Rand decides to follow him until Ingtar catches up, but Selene chides him for not trying to recapture the Horn himself. Rand decides to investigate, hoping to find out if the fire is Fain’s. Taking Loial with him, Rand descends the mountain under cover of darkness.

They find Fain’s camp at the bottom of the mountain. Heaps of sleeping Trollocs and Darkfriends, along with the chest with the Horn and the dagger, sit out in the open. With thoughts of Selene crowding his mind, Rand begins to crawl toward the camp; an incredulous Loial is only paces behind. Rand reaches the chest, tucking the dagger into his belt.