The Great Hunt starts with a good hook. I think that its prologue is one of the strongest pieces of writing in the series so far. After that, though, the pace slows down quite a bit, and for the most part, these chapters seem to be building up a new set of characters as pieces for Robert Jordan to move around his world.
The prologue begins with the introduction of a new character. He calls himself Bors, although it is clear that this is just an alias. He has been summoned to a meeting, but does not know where the meeting is, or why it has been called. All he knows is that he has been summoned by the Dark One, and he will obey. Along with many others, including some Aes Sedai, he receives orders from a projected image of a man who calls himself Ba'alzamon. Although we don't know what those orders are, we do know that they concern Mat, Perrin, and Rand. As Bors leaves the meeting, we discover that he is more than just a common man. He is a questioner, one of the torturers who belong to the Children of the Light.
In chapter 1, Rand and Lan are practicing sword play in the city of Fal Dara. While they are practicing a wind comes up and pushes Rand into Lan's sword, nearly killing him. They stop, and while they are stopped, Rand sees a caravan coming toward the city. Its banner reveals that it is the caravan of the Amyrlin Seat, the head of the Aes Sedai. This sends Rand into a panic, because, among other things, the Amyrlin Seat is tasked with keeping men from channeling, and if a man does, like Rand has, she will make sure that he is gentled or killed.
Rand attempts to leave Fal Dara without the knowledge of its lord or the Amyrlin Seat, but the Lord has seemingly ordered the city sealed (although no one can actually say who gave the order), so his attempt comes to naught.
Rand tries to find a place to hide from the Aes Sedai. In the process of searching, he manages to offend Loial, Mat, and Perrin, but in the end, Egwene finds him and takes him to the dungeon to look for a hiding place there. In the dungeon, they talk with Padan Fain, who recognizes Rand for what he is.
Moiraine is called before the Amyrlin Seat, who, it is revealed, has come to Fal Dara with as much haste as possible, because she feels that it is urgent that she speak with Moiraine, and meet Rand. The Amyrlin Seat chastises Moiraine for not following their plans, but Moiraine points out that Rand's destiny is so strong that it bends their plans to match.
The Children of the Light send a legion of men into Arad Doman with the orders to march in secret, and to kill anyone who finds out about their presence.
Liandrin, one of the Aes Sedai that accompanied the Amyrlin Seat, manipulates the ruling lady of Fal Dara into searching for Rand, Mat, and Perrin.