Two Theories
I know, shocking isn't it! I read Winter's Heart a month or so back, tucked the book onto the book shelf without so much as a theory, then in the silence of the mind you only get betwixt books, bingo! Two theories popped into existence. One of 'em doesn't even have anything to do with Winters Heart.
Being true to form, I present no research, cross-references, hard evidence, or anything remotely resembling fact to back this up! *g* As Quasimodo would say, this is all hunch, baby. I'm sure some really solid investigation will be undertaken to disprove the theories anyway, so you can get all the facts you need then!
Theory (1)
Shadar Haran = Asmodean
Why? Buggered if I know. Just thought that if Asmo wasn't balefired, and he wasn't, would the DO really leave him in the cold clutch of the grave? Consider that Asmo betrayed the DO. Reluctantly, true, but betrayal nevertheless. What better punishment for a traitor than to mould him into the essence of the DO itself? Stripped of practically any form of free-will except in the recess of the mind? And Asmo was a creative sort, a musician. Can you imagine anything less musical than a Myrdraal? (I'll give a sizeable cash prize to anyone that finds an authentic chapter containing a Fade playing a banjo). Weird theory, but I cant shake the feeling that Shadar is smarter than the average Lurk, BooBoo. And that the DO wouldn't leave Asmo to vegitate because he'd been a bad chosen. After all, he didn't with Moggy, Balthamel, Ishy, Aginor.....
Theory 2)
Demandred. He's with the Prophet, I reckon. Can't remember the chapter suffice it to say its early in the book and Perrins about to go running after the captured Faile (fool! I'd be straight down the Trolloc's Horn for a flagon of finest brown!) Anyway, our loveable loon Masema, whom we know considers anyone but Rand channeling a heinous crime, agrees 'just this once' to let Perrin have his gateway. I believe the chapter describes the fury in Masema's eyes, as if he's saying something against his will. And who's this hooded stranger standing next to him? Why haven't we been introduced? Remember that rant by Sammael about Demandred when Sammy's in Arad Doman and mentions 'events to the south having Demandreds name all over them'? The prophet is south of Arad Doman. Granted, so are several other things, but they've all been accounted for. Sorry, but Masema's behavoiur is too oddball. It has one Forsaken written all over it. This isn't compulsion, as you can't compulse somoene to do something they wouldn't normally. But I'm certain there are other methods. My final persuasive thought was Jordan's use of symmetry. Mat is with one major player in the plot ie the Seanchan, and lo, here's Semirhage. Here's the white tower, complete with great views of Dragonmount and a resident evil (Messanna). Black tower - Osangar. Rebel Tower - Aringar. The Prophet... ??? isn't he just crying out for a forsaken of his own? And just why exactly does Perrin happen to have these Ashamen with him? For convenient gateway weaving? Maybe; but I reckon Jordan has to be expecting some Saidin sparks to fly down there.
What thinkest thou, mighty Brethren of the stone?
~ukDH