Book Six in Robert Jordan's WHEEL OF TIME series has the Dragon Reborn, hero Rand al'Thor, gathering forces to conquer Illian, a land held by an evil Forsaken named Sammael. In the midst of military and geo-politcal chaos, The White Tower led by Elaida kidnaps Rand, and it is up to Perrin and the rest of Rand's allies to pursue the Tower's Aes Sedai sorceresses before they can pervert Rand for their own purposes.

After deposing the Forsaken known as Rahvin, Rand Al'thor, gathering more forces everyday, sets his sights on another Forsaken, Sammael, who controls the southern land of Illian. Rand has a grand plan to deceive Sammael by having Mat Cauthon, leader of Rand's patchwork army, gather in one location near Illian while Rand truly means to strike from another direction. Meanwhile, Rand must constantly deal with the burdens of leadership, including engaging in diplomacy with local nobles, making sure basic needs are met in towns, and holding together allies who sometimes outright hate one another. Rand also starts a school for men who can channel (heretofore men channeling were shunned or killed), picking a previous False Dragon, Mazrim Taim, to test talents of the students and teach them. These men will gain strength and ability and will be known as Asha'man.

Rand's most elusive ally, and perhaps most important, are the Aes Sedai, women from Tar Valon who can channel magic. Previously, the Aes Sedai endured a split, wherein there is a Tower faction (by most accounts hostile to Rand) and a Salidar "Little Tower" faction (which includes many of Rand's allies and close friends, including Egwene and Nynaeve). In one of the many intersecting storylines, Egwene is suddenly elected leader of the Aes Sedai, and she must learn to play politics and make strong choices as Rand has. Nynaeve and Elayne, meanwhile, go on a journey to find a magical item that promises to control the weather, an increasing worry because winter has not come. Both White Tower and Little Tower factions of Aes Sedai send embassies to Rand. Thirteen or more Aes Sedai are thought to be enough to defeat Rand, so much of the proceeding intrigue depends on where Aes Sedai are and how many are there. The Tower faction secretly gathers enough Aes Sedai, disguised as servants, to confront and shield Rand, making him unable to cast magic. They shut him in a chest and make their way towards Tar Valon, where they may cut Rand off from magic forever or even kill him. Rand's allies, led by childhood friend Perrin, chase the Tower Aes Sedai and defeat them in a fantastic battle. More weary and distrustful than ever, Rand vows to never trust another Aes Sedai, forcing both factions to kneel before him, fulfilling a key piece of the Dragon Reborn prophecy.