Just as the books have always done, The Wheel of Time season 3 is sure to break up its cast into separate groups. Some could be familiar pairings, while others could see characters who aren’t used to working together join forces for the first time. Both seasons have made use of this formula, with Wheel of Time season 2 using it to tell multiple story arcs at once. Based on what happens in the book Wheel of Time season 3 is adapting, there’s every expectation for the series to repeat this strategy when the show returns.

Season 3 is confirmed to adapt The Shadow Rising, the fourth book in Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. Like The Great Hunt, The Shadow Rising sent its protagonists in various directions. Rand, Egwene, and Mat went to the Aiel Waste, Perrin returned to the Two Rivers, and Elayne and Nynaeve went to Tanchico. The show will obviously use this as a framework for the next story, but the exact character pairings from the book may not translate perfectly to the small screen. If season 2 is any indication, some noteworthy changes could easily happen.

Rand’s Story

Rand, Moiraine, Lan, Aviendha, And Verin

There’s little mystery regarding what Rand’s next destination will be. With Aviendha identifying him as the Car’a’carn in Wheel of Time season 2’s ending, the stage is now set for her to accompany him to the Aiel Waste. It’s there in the Aiel Waste that Rand is expected to learn more about his ancestral roots, as he’s still yet to find out in the show that his biological father is an Aielman (even though it’s been strongly hinted at). Traveling with Aviendha and meeting the other Aiel will surely be a huge learning experience for Rand as he seeks to make alliances with their people.

Additionally, telling The Shadow Rising’s story is an opportunity for the series to explore an important development with Rand’s character that the show has thus far missed out on. In the novel, Rand learned swordsmanship from Lan, and continued to do so when he went into the Aiel Waste because both Lan and Moiraine chose to join him in that adventure. The same happening in the show seems only logical, especially since Moiraine is determined to make sure Rand fulfills his destiny as the Dragon Reborn.

Mat’s Story

Mat and Thom

Similar to how the books gave Mat his own path to follow in season 2, season 3 may also deviate from the source material. In the book, Mat was a part of Rand’s group when he went to the Aiel Waste. However, a crucial part of that story – Mat having the gaps in his memories filled by the Aelfinn and Eelfinn – seems to have been replaced with Ishamael triggering the awakening of Mat’s memories of his past lives. It’s possible that this change was made because Wheel of Time isn’t planning on sending Mat to the Aiel Waste.

If not the Aiel Waste, it may be Caemlyn that Mat heads to next. That’s not implausible, considering that he did go there in The Dragon Reborn, the third book in the series. As for who could join, the most likely traveling companion for Mat is Thom, given that he was involved in the book storyline and has an existing connection to Mat in the show. Not only that, but Thom is confirmed to be back for Wheel of Time season 3 [via Winter is Coming]. If the two are banding together, this could be the story where the show finally introduces Elayne’s family and brings Galad and Queen Morgase into the mix.

Perrin’s Story

Perrin, Loial, Bain, Chiad, Alanna, Faile, Maksim, And Ihvon

The Wheel of Time wasted no time in laying the groundwork for Perrin’s trip to the Two Rivers; Dain’s “Two Rivers” nickname for Perrin acts as a reminder that the Whitecloaks know exactly where’s he from – and how to get revenge on him. This puts Perrin on track to head back home to the Two Rivers, where he’ll presumably face off against the Whitecloaks and the Trollocs. In the books, multiple characters took part in this journey, among them being Loial, Bain, Chiad, Ihvon, and Owein.

For now, there’s no evidence to suggest that the TV version of Perrin’s party will be much different. Both Bain and Chiad have fought beside him in battle, so it’s not hard to imagine this partnership continuing. As for Alanna and her two Warders, the show has given them an increased presence in the narrative, so incorporating them into a major story like Perrin’s Two Rivers arc feels like an organic way to keep that approach going, especially since it wouldn’t change the books.

Egwene’s Story

Egwene, Min, Siuan, Logain, And Gawyn

Like Mat, Egwene is another character in the Aiel Waste arc that may not be on hand in Prime Video’s interpretation of the events. Rather than go with Rand and begin her exploration of her Dreaming talent, it may be better for her long-term future if Egwene returns to Tar Valon to resume her Aes Sedai training. If she’s to become the Amylrin Seat, it’s important that the show develops her role in White Tower politics and advances her to Accepted soon. With Wheel of Time apparently skipping The Dragon Reborn (the book that brings her back to the White Tower), it may be necessary for the show to forego her exploits in the Aiel Waste during season 3.

Taking this time to focus on Egwene’s activities in the White Tower could be what facilitates another key development in The Shadow Rising, which is Siuan Sanche being deposed and stilled. As one of The Wheel of Time’s protagonists, it would make sense to make Egwene the main figure in this plotline, allowing her to be a witness (or perhaps an active player) in the events that led up to Siuan’s downfall and her team-up with Logain and Min Farshaw. This can also pave the way for the show to set up her romance with Gawyn Trakand, another character associated with the White Tower coup.

Nynaeve & Elayne’s Story

Nynaeve, Elayne, And Juilin

Having been abducted by Liandrin and handed off to the Seachan, both Nynaeve and Elayne should be well-motivated to travel to Tanchico, the place where they hunt down the Black Ajah and fight Moghedien in The Shadow Rising. With Tanchico confirmed as a Wheel of Time season 3 location, Nynaeve and Elayne teaming up again feels inevitable. In the book, they had help from both Thom and Juilin Sandar, a yet-to-be-introduced supporting character and a competent bounty hunter. While it’s possible Juilin Sandar won’t appear, he could be a much-needed ally to Nynaeve and Elayne, particularly if Thom is indeed going to be busy elsewhere.