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| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TEotW,Prologue'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/helmet_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Helmet Chapter Icon'}] ''[NS|New Spring]: The Hook'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=NS,Ch2' align='right'}]
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! __Lan__ POV

Morning is nearing after three days of battle between the Great Coalition and the [Aiel]. [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] makes the rounds checking on the guards around the camp of three hundred. He has fought the [Aiel] before on the [Shienaran|Shienar] marches. His sword, wrought with the [One Power], was the sword of [Malkier] kings. He catches some sentries, including [Basram] and [Jaim], nodding at their posts. [Bukama|Bukama Marenellin] has been following [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran]. When [Malkier] fell, twenty men left with baby [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran]; [Bukama|Bukama Marenellin] was one of only five who made it out and is the last left alive. They are two of the few who still wear traditional %%ot [hadori]%%, leather headbands. After crossing the [Spine of the World], the [Aiel] ravaged [Cairhien|Cairhien (City)] then fought through [Tear|Tear (City)] and [Andor] before reaching [Tar Valon].[1] The Great Coalition army fighting them is near two hundred thousand. 

One of the sentries named [Rakim] approaches leading a [Tairen|Tear (Country)] with silver-worked boots[2] on horseback. The rider does not deign to give his name, but announces that Lord [Emares] is following a few hundred [Aiel]. He wants [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] to help him pin the [Aiel] on a spur of mountain called the Hook about three leagues east of [Tar Valon]. They are heading east, away from the [Erinin River].[3] [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] uses %%ot [ko'di]%% to keep his anger under control. He agrees to be in place by daylight and the rider leaves. After [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] rouses the camp, [Bukama|Bukama Marenellin] comes up with his horse [Sun Lance]. [Caniedrin] brings [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran]'s [Cat Dancer]. [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] and his forces ride to the Hook. The force of [Aiel] arrives before [Emares] and they are over two thousand. At the same time they hear trumpets in the distance.[4] [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] prepares to attack and die but the [Aiel] do not attack.[4] Instead, they suddenly stop and shout %%ot [Aan'allein|al'Lan Mandragoran]%%, "One Man Alone," in the [Old Tongue],[5] then continue east.[4] [Caniedrin] and [Bukama|Bukama Marenellin] ask if they should follow, but [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] wants to find [Emares] to find out what happened.
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More [Lan POV]
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! Notes (Possible Spoilers)


[#1] The Great Coalition forces still do not realize that the [Aiel] are simply following [Laman|Laman Damodred] trying to kill him. At least some of the [Aes Sedai] do understand the cause. ([NS,Ch2])
\\[#2] Indicating that he is a noble
\\[#3] Per the information in the [Guide], the [Aiel] retreat began on the second day of the month of Danu. This precisely sets the timing for most of the first half of the book.
\\[#4] King [Laman|Laman Damodred] is dead. The [Aiel] achieved their goal so they are returning to the [Aiel Waste].
\\[#5] Saluting [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran]. [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] apparently does not realize that the [Aiel] know and respect him.
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