The Eye of the World

The first chapter opens with the main protagonist, Rand al’Thor, and his father, Tam, traveling to the village of Emond’s Field from their homestead. The winter has been harsh and long, forcing wolves and bears to attack herds and even people; the two men have stayed close to home for weeks. The approaching spring holiday of Bel Tine, a time to celebrate new life and remember the dead, prompts them to journey to Emond’s Field to deliver cider and take part in the festivities.

Suddenly, Rand feels uneasy. When he turns around, he sees a horseman dressed in black, radiating hate. When he draws his father’s attention, however, there is no trace of the stranger.

Once in the village, Rand is joined by one of his best friends, Matrim, or Mat, Cauthon, the local prankster. Mat confides to Rand that he, too, has seen a black horseman, who scared him and left no trace. The two young men consider telling someone about the sightings but decide that no one would believe them.

Rand and Mat begin unloading the cart. They are approached by a local boy with news that there are strangers in the village. Rand thinks it is the black horseman, but is told that the strangers are a man and woman. While the small group talks, they are approached by the woman, who insists on being called Moiraine. She is dressed in fine clothes and wears a jewel on her forehead and a ring in the shape of a serpent biting its tail. She is accompanied by a tall man, Lan, whose cloak changes color and seems to become invisible.

Moiraine gives them a coin each, requesting they help her with errands in the future.

Soon after the conversation with Moiraine, a small commotion announces a peddler’s arrival. The peddler, Padan Fain, brings dire news from faraway lands. Someone claiming to be the Dragon Reborn is trying to take the throne. The villagers are displeased by the news as there have been two other false Dragons in the past five years, leading to widespread death and destruction.

Through the villagers’ conversations, it becomes clear that men and women can wield something called the Power to perform feats of magic. However, it seems that men who do that inevitably become insane because of a taint on the source of their Power. Only women, called Aes Sedai, residing in Tar Valon, are safe to perform magic.

Rand and Mat are joined by their friend Perrin, who has also seen the black horseman and been given a coin by Moiraine. While the three young men talk, they are overheard by the village’s Wisdom, Nynaeve, a young, pretty woman. She scolds them for spreading malicious gossip but hurries off to the tavern after learning that the Council is questioning the peddler. In her wake, Rand notices Egwene, the mayor’s daughter. He is tongue-tied and awkward around her but asks her to dance with him the following day. Egwene reveals her newly braided hair, signaling that she is now of marriageable age.

While the young people talk, a white-haired stranger comes out of the inn. He introduces himself as Thom Merrilin, a gleeman, or a traveling storyteller and jester.

Tam comes out of the inn soon after and tells Rand they need to go back to the farm. The young man is surprised but obeys his father. While they walk, Tam reveals that several young men have seen the horseman in black; the Council has decided to organize patrols to monitor the roads between Emond’s Field and the nearby villages.

Rand and Tam get back to their small farm in the Westwood. Everything seems in order and the men go about their chores. Rand regrets having come back; Bel Tine’s eve is called Winternight and is a time for visiting neighbors and being social. However, Rand does his work conscientiously and without complaining.

When night falls, the men retire to their house. They are both spooked by the horseman in black; Tam decides to lock the doors, something unprecedented. He brings out a sword with herons on its scabbard and hilt. Rand has never seen it and is surprised. Tam is reticent about how and when he got it.

Just as the men are about to have tea, a humanoid monster with an animal’s head bursts into the house. Ran throws the kettle with boiling water at it and Tam kills it with one blow of the sword. A second monster tries to enter, but Tam quickly kills it. Tam shouts at Rand to run and hide in the forest. The young man obeys and Tam eventually joins him. Tam calls the monsters Trollocs, creatures of legend, who serve the Dark.

The older man is injured. Rand goes back to get their cart. One of the Trollocs is still there and tries to persuade the young man to give up. Rand pretends to agree and kills the monster.

The house and barn are ransacked, and everything is broken or damaged. Rand collects whatever he can and goes back to his father.

Rand drags his father back to the village through the woods. Although the wound is shallow, it is already inflamed, causing fever and delirium. In his ravings, Tam mentions places and names out of fairytales, but Rand is no longer sure whether they are made up or real. Eventually, Tam begins talking about finding the baby of an enemy in the snow and saving and adopting the child. Rand is shocked but puts aside his feelings to bring his father to the village and the Wisdom.

It takes Rand all night to drag his father through the woods to the village. Once he gets there, he finds death and destruction instead of a safe haven. The Trollocs attacked the village as well, and many houses have burned down.

Rand asks Nynaeve for help, but the Wisdom cannot heal Tam’s wound. As a last resort, the mayor advises Rand to ask for help from Moiraine, who revealed herself as an Aes Sedai during the attack.

Moiraine agrees to try healing Tam. She sends everyone away from the sickroom, except for Rand and her guard, or Warder, Lan.

In this chapter, the mechanics of magic are made clearer. Gifted people can draw on the One Power, which comes from the True Source that drives the Wheel of Time. There are also artefacts, angreal, that enhance a person’s ability to draw from the True Source. Despite being tired, Moiraine is able to heal Tam with the help of one such artefact. She also breaks the news to Rand that the Trollocs attacked only three households: his, Mat and Perrin’s. The three young men must have something the Dark One fears; they need to leave Emond’s Field to protect the village from further attacks. Moiraine wants them all to leave for Tar Valon the same night.

Rand is shocked and distraught at the thought of leaving his home without talking to his father, but quickly realizes there are no other options. Lan has revealed that the dark horseman is a Myrddraal or Fade, another legendary monster come to life. They are eyeless but see like eagles and there is no escape from them and the Trollocs they command.

Rand is plagued by strange and terrifying dreams. When he wakes up it is already twilight. Tam is awake, so Rand tells him what happened with Moiraine. Tam is surprised but agrees that the safest place for Rand is Tar Valon.

Before they can leave, a crowd of frightened villagers gather in front of the inn, demanding that Moiraine leave. She tells them the story of the great kingdom of Manetheren that once occupied the lands of the Two Rivers and of its heroic last king Aemon, who fought against the Dark to his death. The men are shamed and disperse.

The three young men, Lan, and Moiraine prepare to depart. Mat has brought along his bow, while Perrin carries a large battle axe. Egwene interrupts them; she has figured out their plans and wants to travel to Tar Valon. Thom does not want to go alone. Reluctantly, Moiraine and Lan agree to the additional members.

Just as they are leaving the village, Rand sees something large and dark in the sky. Lan believes it is a Draghkar, another type of Dark creature. The group’s only chance of escape becomes the river crossing north of the village. They go off galloping.