I like the theory I read on Dragonmount, by someone who suggested that Demandred has most likely been the most active of the Forsaken, but behind the scenes.

He was appointed by the Dark One to sow chaos in LoC. I think that if he settled in Murandy, it was merely to serve as a base from which to launch more far reaching schemes across the continent.

While gradually solidifying his rule in Murandy, he was at the same time:

1. Organising Masema and his Dragonsworn

2. Founding the Black Tower, as Moridin was still dead at this point in time.

3. Assisting Semirhage in throwing the Seanchan continent into chaos.

4. Manipulating the Children of the Light.

5. Gathering Dreadlords in distant countries.

6. Launching more schemes that we don't even know about.

Let's face it, the expectation surrounding Demandred HAS been deliberately built up over the course of the last 6 books.

The final revelation of his mysterious activities HAS to be climactic, for the sake of the series.


I think he will use Murandy as a base to launch a surprise Blitzkrieg against the heart of Randland. Andor, Cairhien, Altara and maybe even Tear and Illian will be invaded from here. I'm sure he has secured enough Waygates in Murandy to build up a massive army of Trollocs.

Murandy will be the platform from which the southern prong of the Shadow's campaign will be launched. And this will happen at a time when everyone's attention is focussed on the unleashed hordes of Trollocs pouring from the Blight.

A simultaneous two front assault is what's in store. It's a pity the Shadow couldn't get control of the Seanchan as well, under a general like Be'lal, because then an attack from three fronts would have had the Light in a pincer grip.

But a two front campaign is the next best thing, and will most likely engage the Borderland armies at Far Madding, and all of the Andoran, Tairain and other forces that would have moved north to defend the Borderlands against the Trolloc Hordes.

Most likely this is what Mat is being prepared for. The War in the South, while Rand, Ituralde and others fight the War in the North.