To the Forsaken, Information. Is. Everything.

They're constantly scheming, manipulating and controlling. Furthermore, they know that the other Forsaken do the same. Graendal has the ability to easily rip possibly-valuable knowledge out of this man knocking on her door.

Also, the level of Compulsion was very intense. Presumably all of the Forsaken can use it (although that's not confirmed), but Black Ajah? Dark Asha'man? Highly unlikely they know compulsion, or are able to use it with that level of skill.

SOMEONE Compelled the man, and there are only a few options.

1. It was Graendal. She was there, it's her stronghold, she would want to be the first to know possibly-useful information.

2. It was another channeler, obeying Graendal. Maybe Graendal went, "I'm busy having an orgy, go find out what the worm at the gate knows." Could be plausible if this lackey a)was trusted enough by Graendal and b)Had the skill to do it. Unlikely, but possible.

3. It was another channeler, without Graendal's knowledge. Maybe Graendal was out getting some lunch from a Seancean deli, and Mogheidan was lying around waiting for her to get back. The man knocks on the door, the channeler seizes the opportunity. Also possible, but since this is blind chance, it could just as easily be Graendal who died.



Everyone's searching for ways Graendal isn't dead, but I think that's missing the point. I believe the point of the scene (later pointed out by Nynaeve) was to show just how ruthless and effective Rand could be. Nynaeve says something along the lines of, "Imagine if he was like this from the beginning. Would we have already won by now?"

The implication is, I think, that if he continues on that path, he might very well win The Last Battle, but is winning like that worth it?