More Bits of the Wheel

A bit more about Thom Merillin. When Moiraine, Lan, and Nynaeve got to Whitebridge some of the townspeople mentioned a man channeling. Every other building in the town square was burned down. This was also the case in Emond's Field on Winternight. Every other house had burned. In Whitebridge, only a single Myrdraal ambushed Thom, Rand, and Mat - no Trollocs to burn anything and the Myrdraal was occupied w Thom. Remember, after the attack at Emond's Field - Thom was cutting the singed parts from his gleeman's cloak.

Thom also mentions something about the dead coming back - either as dead heroes or being transferred into living bodies - a la transmogrification by the Dark One. My guess is that he accidentally burned the buildings down when he used Saidin since he does not know how to actually use and control it properly. Oops!

Rand felt Moiraine using her powers when she healed Tam - the tingling and chill feeling. This happens at other points in the story before he knows he can channel - as well as after. Thom was probably noticing that one of the Emond's Field boys could channel. We already know that Logain - even while shielded and in the cage being hauled before Morgase - could feel Rand and could even tell how much stronger in the One Power Rand was compared to himself. This is why he laughed at exactly the moment when Rand saw him - Logain could feel Rand on the castle wall. Logain was laughing at the Aes Sedai - because he knew something they did not - something really important.

One of Mat's prophesies - from the Aelfinn said: he had "to give up half the light of the world in order to save the world". This likely refers to his fighting against the Seanchan. The Seanchan use the One Power as a weapon at all times through leashing wilders [damane] to 'learners' [sul'dam] of Saidar. Despite his dislike for the One Power, Mat knows this is wrong. He releases 'damane' who are either Aes Sedai or Sea Folk. And then there's the incident where Tuon puts leashes on the two Aes Sedai with Mat's group and he attempts to convince her to stop.

Mat's memories from other generals is an interesting situation. One thing I am curious about is whether these memories include those of a couple Forsaken who were and still are running around alive and causing problems - Sammael and Demandred. Wouldn't it be nice if Mat knew their strategies and tactics to use against them. They are both known for being two of the best generals - even though they gave their loyalty to the Dark One.

Yes, Sammael still lives. We encounter him outside Far Madding after he fought Rand in Shadar Logoth. If you don't see a Forsaken actually die, then he's likely not dead. If they are killed by Balefire, they are permanently burned from the pattern - and remain dead. If they are killed by any other means...

Osan'gar, Aran'gar, Moridin, and Cyndane - we can kinda tell which one was whom by their personalities and other features. Cyndane is obvious. Moridin is "in charge" and insane. Osan'gar mumbles to himself constantly and laughs out loud for no apparent reason. Aran'gar resents his new form for obvious reasons - walks around like she should own everything - taking advantage whenever and wherever opportunity arises - and loves using her old Saidin powers to freak everyone out and win some battles. Aran'gar's situation proves that the Dark One has one really sick sense of humor - maybe because he was the first Forsaken to die.