Prologue

Their names were regarded with almost as much fear as the Dark Lord himself. Thirteen men and women, so evil it was said they could never turn back to the light. Ishmael, who fought for the great lord, and only the great lord. Lanfear, who fought to flee from her past. Sammuel, fighting for glory. Damondred, fighting for his hate of Lews Therin. Moghedian, shrouding her reasons in a cloak of mystery. Mesaana, fighting to bring peace to the world, under the rule of an iron fist. Asmodean, fighting to prove himself worthy of the Great Lord's honor. Sermirhage, fighting because she refused to let Lanfear rise above her. Graendal, fighting for the power to control. Each of the thirteen had their reasons for fighting, and like fingerprints, each was different. Thirteen different people, joining forces to serve the great lord.