Rand al'Thor
Known simply as Rand, he is the central protagonist and main hero of The Wheel of Time series at large. By this point in the series, Rand has developed his relationship with a past-life persona known as Lews Therin with whom he remains in psychic contact. That odd bifurcation of mind and soul becomes quite prickly at times, especially in this entry in the series in which Therin makes a sort of power grab within the hero, thereby forcing an even stranger sort of negotiated alliance. The focus of Rand’s story in this novel is another negotiation amid conflict, however: a deal with the Daughter of the Nine Moons in order to stave off an onslaught of Trollocs and Myrdaals.
Perrin and Faile
Perrin and Faile are unusual characters in the series in that they are married to each other. While plenty of loving goes on throughout the series, actual marital relationships are few. As result of this relationship, much of the focus of these two characters are directed toward each other such as in this entry in which Perrin negotiates a partnership with Seanchan Banner-General Tylee Khirgan in order to rescue her from Sevanna’s Shaido camp. For Perrin, rescuing his wife takes precedence over everything and this revelation will have psychological repercussions down the road.
Matrim Cauthon and Tuon
Popularly referred to simply as Mat, he is sort of the Han Solo of the heroic bunch. Well, Han Solo-ish, anyway. He is also usually at the center of the funniest bits of comic relief. His plotline keeps him in league with the Traveling Show and their constant battle with the Seanchan forces. His story is also intricately connected to a woman. Tuon is a Seanchan Empress also known as the Daughter of the Nine Moons. To the shock of nearly all, Mat winds up marrying Tuon and taking on a title himself: Prince fo the Ravens. It is neither a relationship nor a marriage of the same type as Perrin and Faile, however.
Egwene al'Vere
But you doesn’t have to call her that, just plain Egwene will do. Although this narrative is perhaps shorter on exciting action than the threads of the other major characters pursued in this entry in the series, some will definitely find Egwene’s adventures in the White Tower to be the most interesting element of the book. Though she is being held captive in the tower and thus not an agent of power, her story there is a subtly drawn masterpiece of the art of political intrigue and rebellion as she plots to undermine Elaida’s fitness for leadership.
