I have a theory that Isam was/is a wolfbrother. I'm sure it's been theorized before, but ToM gives a more intimate profile of Isam, and sheds some light on Slayer's character. The idea sparked in my head in this book, with all of Slayer's remarks of "pup" and "cub."

However, I think there's more to it than that. Slayer is a unique character in the Dark One's army: two souls forged into one being. If this were something easily done, wouldn't the DO have more of these types wandering about? The fact that there is only Slayer implies that there is something special Luc and/or Isam (and my money's on Isam).

IIRC, Luc is grounded in the world, and Isam is grounded in tel'aran'rhiod. Considering the wolves' connection to the World of Dreams, adding in how Wolfbrothers interact with it, it's not much of a stretch to see how Isam might have been a wolfbrother before being turned into Slayer. In fact, it may have been that connection that allowed him to be used in the first place.

Now, if this is true, what's the point? Well, one thing that has been left on the back burner for quite some time is the huge darkhound pack roaming the westlands. Darkhounds which, in the real world, are virtually indestructible without balefire. Well, perhaps darkhounds (which are created from wolf stock) are also present in the World of Dreams, where they may have weaknesses for Perrin and his wolves to exploit. Who better to lead those darkhounds than Slayer?

Thoughts?