Previous instalments of the series: Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 , Part 4 , Part 5 , Part 6 , Part 7 , Part 8 , Part 9 , Part 10 .     Spoilers for those who are unfamiliar with the series. Note that this  summary is designed to help people who have already read the books get  back up to speed before the release of the final volume in January.  First-timers are advised to read the books directly, as in some cases  these summaries may spoil things that are not revealed in the books  until much later. Rand al'Thor confronts the Forsaken Sammael in the abandoned city of Shadar Logoth. Follow the break for the summary: A Crown of Swords  In Tar Valon Elaida fumes at the lack of word from Teslyn or Joline, her representatives to Queen Tylin in Ebou Dar. However, Alviarin has had communication from her agents in the city and confirmed the presence of Nynaeve al’Meara and Elayne Trakand. Elaida orders them taken and bundled back to Tar Valon, even to the extent of using forkroot ( The Fires...