I agree that this is the only possibility I have considered. If it turns out that Rand drew on the True Power independently of his link to Moridin, then everything changes, of course.

I just have not considered it possible to draw from the True Power without swearing to the Dark One first. I would not have thought Rand would have access to this Power in any other way than through Moridin.

Lastly, I would just like to add that Shaidar Haran's instructions to Semirhage were presented to us in their entirety. There was no instruction to drag out the capture for as long as possible. So even MORE was left to chance with regard to how Semirhage would go about the capture.

Of course, some would argue that it might be predicted that Semirhage would toy with Rand first, but I reject that. Far better to kidnap him first, and then toy with him at length.

Anyway, to come back to your comment, if Rand accessed the True Power without using his link to Moridin, my original question is no longer valid, that I accept.