Rand travels to the Plains of Maredo to talk about the attack on Illian and Sammael. Many of the Aiel wear a red headband with the Aes Sedai symbol on it. Rand plans to meet with the clan chiefs and with Weiramon who is commanding the Tairen forces. While he goes to the meeting the Maidens and male Aiel trade insults, which they find hilarious and Rand finds baffling. Rand tells the Maidens a funny story but they completely miss the point and don't find it funny. He is told that some of the Tairen forces Rand was counting on have gone in to rebellion against him instead.