As usual, reading about my favourite characters was orgasmic. Just seeing the word Graendal made me want to be one of her pets.

These are the points I'd like to make about the chapter...

1. Graendal is indeed in Arad Doman, even though Asmodean doubted she still would be, and Rand wonders if she is. This looks like a head on collision between Rand and Graendal.

2. I found it odd that Graendal was bothered by the heat. Heat doesn't affect channelers, or anyone with the skill to ignore it. I recall that Sammael commented on Graendal's unnecessary weaves in her palace which make it cool, but this could also have been an error on Brandon's part.

3. A black fortress with black furniture in the Blight. I'm not surprised he fortified himself there.

4. It was obviously Graendal who killed Asmodean. She speaks of the seven remaining Chosen, once again not wondering about his fate. Even Aran'gar wondered about him in KoD.
Gah, just say it already Kamarile.

5. Demandred never smiled? Never seemed to enjoy anything? He laughed openly in KoD when Semirhage made a joke.

6. Graendal's thoughts on her peers interests me. As one of the deadliest of the Forsaken, her opinion counts when she says something. She clearly thinks that Semirhage and Demandred are very dangerous opponents, but she can't decide who is more dangerous. She initially thinks Semirhage, and then Demandred. She even thought that Semirhage was the leader of the trio. This further strengthens my belief that the the six top Forsaken are very similar. She then states that Mesaana is a second rate Forsaken who never achieved any great deeds such as Moridin, Semirhage and Demandred did. This sort of fits in well. Mesaana seems like a broken reed anyway. I just can't take her seriously anymore. I half expect her to cry when she speaks.

7. I like that Moridin makes the Forsaken stand when he walks in now, lol. I also particularly like the small reason why Demandred didn't sit - because I was surprised that he stood. It prevented him from having to stand for Moridin. Lol, it's all so childish, but it's delicious.

8. Who is 'our woman there' who saw Semirhage hurl fire at Rand? It could be Elza but it might be a secret darkfriend.

9. I think we can discount Moridin sending for Semirhage to be killed by Slayer. I thought that was a possibility. It's also important that Mesaana and Demandred see no way to get near to her, and actually need Moridin's help. Unfortunately for Semirhage, the Shadow isn't going to help her.

10. So Moridin and Rand are linked physically, and more tightly that we were initially led to believe. Rand's madness could be from Moridin's TP use. Who knows...

11. Where is Demandred? I hate that man, but I do wonder what he's up to. He has an army and somewhere to rule, so we'll see what he unleashes on the world. We're just going to have to wait for the last chapter of the series, lol.

12. Moridin may be training Graendal to be some sort of vice-Nae'blis, or just toying with her to get what he wants. It's difficult to say. She's going to kill someone close to him and teach him real agony I say. Graendal vs Rand... how much more obvious can it be?

A nice chapter... missing some Forsaken, but lots of information. A good effort from Brandon