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Praise for Robert Jordan’s

Praise for Robert Jordan’s

THE WHEEL OF TIME®

“Jordan’s multivolume epic [is] a feast for fantasy aficionados.”

—Library Journal

Book One: THE EYE OF THE WORLD

“New readers are advised to start with the first book, The Eye of the World. It may take you a year of steady reading, but by next year you’ll be chomping at the bit to jump on the newest book.”

—Robert Knox, MPG Newspapers

Book Two: THE GREAT HUNT

“On very rare occasions, very talented storytellers create worlds that are beyond fantasy; worlds that become realities. Robert Jordan has.”

—Morgan Llywelyn, author of Lion of Ireland and Druids

Book Three: THE DRAGON REBORN

“One of the books to read this year.”

—Science Fiction Review

Book Four: THE SHADOW RISING

“The fourth volume of the most ambitious American fantasy saga continues to suggest that The Wheel of Time will also be the finest.”

—Booklist

Book Five: THE FIRES OF HEAVEN

“Rich and enthralling.”

—Locus

THE FIRES
OF
HEAVEN

ROBERT JORDAN

A TOM DOHERTY ASSOCIATES BOOK
NEW YORK

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Dedication

For Harriet

The light of her eyes is my Light.

With his coming are the dread fires born again. The hills burn, and the land turns sere. The tides of men run out, and the hours dwindle. The wall is pierced, and the veil of parting raised. Storms rumble beyond the horizon, and the fires of heaven purge the earth. There is no salvation without destruction, no hope this side of death.

—fragment from The Prophecies of the Dragon
believed translated by N’Delia Basolaine
First Maid and Swordfast to Raidhen of Hoi Cuchone

(circa 400 AB)

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PROLOGUE

The First Sparks Fall

Elaida do Avriny a’Roihan absently fingered the long, seven-striped stole about her shoulders, the stole of the Amyrlin Seat, as she sat behind her wide writing table. Many would have accounted her beautiful, at first glance, but a second look made it clear that the severity of her ageless, Aes Sedai face was not a momentary matter. Today there was something more, a light of anger in her dark eyes. If anyone had noticed.