Suddenly after reading TOM the Shadow's forces and plans look a lot scarier. For a long while now, we have really only seen unfortunate or downright stupid plans from the Forsaken unravel time after time in the face of ta'veren luck and a very strong-looking Light.

But two things for me have totally changed this dynamic: 1) Whatever Taim is doing to channelers (probably, but not conclusively the 13x13 trick); 2) The Red Veil Aiel.

Trollocs just seem to die too easily, and all attempts at manipulating human forces of the Light seem to have been handled pretty well by the Pattern. But now we have two zombie-like forces of humans (channelers and warriors) who will definitely fight for the Shadow.

Well, on second thought, could it be that the Red Veils are not corrupted by the DO but by Fain and his new insanabilities?

Anyways, we are beginning to catch glimpses of the formidable might of the Shadow. The Black Tower is almost entirely corrupted, and it seems that of the Tower AS, only Pevara remains untainted (how, why?). Something else unexpected seems to be going on at the Black Tower too. Logain's remaining men noticed that Nensen, one of their old friends, not only started acting strange after his lessons with Taim, but he grew tremendously in strength. Some mysterious Kash fellow followed the same crazy growth, but he is an outsider that may have hidden his strength on purpose. Whatever the case, it makes it look like the Shadow is not only able to turn channelers to their side, they are able to make them stronger!

Could it be as simple as the Shadow finally breaking out some angreal, or is something more going on?

Finally, it seems the whole world is converging in the Westlands for the Last Battle, but what about Shara? Surely they must have prophecies about the Dragon, and if as has been indicated, their Empire is in chaos, certainly there must be channelers up for grabs (Ayyad and breeder-men). Is there any real evidence that the Shadow has been involved in Shara? Could the revelation of the 13x13 trick mean that Shara's channelers may very well fight for the Shadow, but avoid the kind of racist overtones in Tolkien when all the dark-skinned people fought for Sauron just cuz?

Back to strategy though. We know trollocs are currently powering into the Borderlands in Saldea and at Tarwin's gap. They are invading Caemlyn and some at least were transported to Ghealdan via Portal Stone. Meanwhile, it looks like most of the Light's forces are concentrated at Merrilor as their homelands are perched to be overrun by Trollocs and Dreadlords. What's next? And how in the world will all the necessary players (Moiraine, Aviendha, Mat, Perrin) get to Rand before he sets off for SG unless the initial battle is only a prelude to the real Last Battle?

I really have no idea but I am sure someone has a theory or ten!