After reading Sidious' post about Elayne being the best supporting actress, I was inspired to pose a question to you folks; what moments in the books truly surprised/shocked/confused you when you first read them? Moments when you put down the book to scratch your head and ask yourself "Wait a second ... what the hell just happened?"

A few that spring to mind for me include:

- Elayne showing off her remarkable tightrope skills. (I thought that I must have missed something, and read the passage again, looking for explanatory details )

- Shadar Logoth, when Mordeth swells up like a balloon (I was so surprised and disgusted that I nearly gave up WOT right there ).

- That little flashback scene in EotW (I had no idea that it was a flashback when I first read it, and upon finishing those chapters, scratched my head and said "Wait... what just happened?" )

- In Eye of the World, when Mat and Rand are being attacked by Howal Gode and the lightning comes down and saves them. (I finally got it through my thick skull that Rand could channel )

- Finding out that Ingtar was a darkfriend. (I wasn't really shocked, but I was a bit confused)

So!

What fond (or confused) memories of literary surprise do you have?