Now like most readers I was shocked that the shadow has forces attacking so far to the south. We all knew that the Blight going quite about a year or so before this was the calm before the storm of the shadow preparing for TG. Rand being attacked by 100K trollocs in KOD was a bit more like an assassination attempt rather than the outbreak of all out warfare.

My question is why attack the Seanchan? and why now? and who issued the marching orders?

It seems to me that what with the Seanchan trying to battle the westland armies and a large number of Boarderlanders and their leaders missing from the north that the shadow would just rush out of the Blight to start TG rather than strike at the south fisrt and lose troops in the Ways.

It also seems to go against the shadows strategy of "let the lord of chaos rule" which is basically divide and conquer the forces of the light. What better way to push the Seanchan into wanting to form an alliance with Rand and his forces than prove that shadow spawn are real and a threat to everyone?

It will be interesting to see how this develops in any case. I personally thought the last battle would be an actual battle, that may take place in several parts of the world, but it would all be over in a matter of days or maybe even hours while Rand seals the DO and does all other types of kick a** stuff. but if this is not just a small poke from the shadow maybe TG is starting now and will last several weeks until the end of the series.