From the Mountains of Mist to Tear Rand al'Thor, having declared himself the Dragon Reborn at the end of the previous book, The Great Hunt, secretly leaves the Shienaran camp in the Mountains of Mist to go to Tear to prove himself the Dragon Reborn. He is hounded by Darkhounds. Moiraine Damodred, Lan Mandragoran, and Perrin Aybara chase after Rand. Along the way, they encounter with a Hunter for the Horn, Faile Bashere; battle Darkhounds; and discover that the Forsaken Sammael rules in Illian.

From Tar Valon to Tear
Mat is taken to Tar Valon by Verin Mathwin, Nynaeve al'Meara, Egwene al'Vere, and Elayne Trakand.

The Amyrlin Seat, Siuan Sanche, sets Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne to the task of hunting down the Black Ajah. A lead sends the trio traveling to Tear.

In the White Tower, through the use of a sa'angreal by Aes Sedai, Mat is permanently healed of the corruptive influence of the ruby dagger of Shadar Logoth. Mat finds Thom Merrilin in an inn, discovering that the gleeman is not dead as previously thought. The pair escape Tar Valon together and travel to Andor, where Mat learns of a plot by Queen Morgase's lover, Lord Gaebril (actually the Forsaken Rahvin in disguise), to murder Elayne, Daughter-Heir of Andor. Seeking to prevent that murder, Mat pursues the women, who are already headed for Tear.

Climax in the Stone of Tear
In Tear, Nynaeve, Egwene, and Elayne are betrayed by Juilin Sandar to the Black Ajah and then imprisoned in the Stone of Tear, where they are rescued by Mat and a repentant Juilin.

Rand and the Forsaken Be'lal duel in the Stone of Tear. Moiraine interrupts the battle and kills Be'lal with balefire. Rand draws Callandor, proving himself the Dragon Reborn, and defeats Ishamael. The Aiel in Tear take the Stone and reveal themselves as the People of the Dragon.