It would certainly explain the tying the north to the east and the west to the south part of the prophecy. It is also possible when you take into account the idea that (I forget who) had on the message board, that Ishy is RJ's Lucifer (the lord of the morning who fell into evil, a former dragon from at least two or three turnings of the wheel ago who was won by the darkside.) That would have meant having a second dragon who was ready to step in, anunderstudy of sorts. How would Rand react to this? He's going to get humbled, and it will happen in this book. He's also going to do the beggar bit, which will require him disappearing, probably forced to do so by Taim (even if he isn't Demandred, he will probably make a bid for Callador.) While he is gone, the world will need a second dragon. Perhaps to be there in case Rand is turned while he is away. I suddenly wonder if we will see, during the beggar stint, a sort of Jesus refuses temptation kinda deal.