To Be Alone

"It's always a man's fault."
   — Saying in the Two Rivers

Book Index
0 I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XII XIII XIV
Chapters
Lightnings 1 High Chasaline 2 The Butcher's Yard 3 Hill of the Golden Dawn 4 Into Cairhien 5 A Broken Crown 6 Old Fear, and New Fear 7 Pitfalls and Tripwires 8 The Figurehead 9 A Pair of Silverpike 10 Unseen Eyes 11 An Oath 12 A Morning of Victory 13 The Bowl of the Winds 14 White Plumes 15 Insects 16 A Touch on the Cheek 17 The Triumph of Logic 18 As the Plow Breaks the Earth 19 Diamonds and Stars 20 Patterns Within Patterns 21 Swovan Night 22 Small Sacrifices 23 Next Door to a Weaver 24 The Kin 25 Mindtrap 26 The Irrevocable Words 27 To Be Alone 28 Bread and Cheese 29 The Festival of Birds 30 The First Cup 31 Mashiara 32 Sealed to the Flame 33 A Bath 34 Ta'veren 35 Into the Woods 36 Blades 37 A Note from the Palace 38 Six Stories 39 Promises to Keep 40 Spears 41 A Crown of Swords

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Setting: Cairhien (city), Ghealdan

Point of view: Perrin Aybara

Summary

Perrin is preparing to leave Cairhien. As he departs, he notices that Rand's servants in the palace have adopted black livery. He then recalls why he is leaving the palace: Rand threw him against a column in front of a room of nobles. All of them turned away except Dobraine. Perrin and Rand had argued about how the Aes Sedai had been "handed over" to the Wise Ones and Rand ordered Perrin out of Cairhien as a result of their disagreement.

On his way to the stables, Perrin encounters Loial, who has been given a commission. Loial announces that he and Karldin are to go to each stedding to warn the Ogier that the Waygates are being used by Shadowspawn and close them, if necessary. Perrin suggests that Loial should remember to keep quiet about the Waygates; Perrin then leaves, believing he will never see Loial again. He meets with Faile north of the city. Faile still has a jealous scent since Berelain is also going with the party. All of the Two Rivers men, a large group of Mayeners, and a few Aiel and Wise Ones make a considerable force under his command. Using Gateways opened by Neald and Grady, his party Travels to Ghealdan. Perrin enters a forest to the east and meets with Aram and Faile. Faile has a number of people accompanying her, including Bain, Chiad, Gaul, Selande, Camaille, and Seonid. Some Cairhien citizens also join in.

At their destination, which Perrin reveals to be Ghealdan, Perrin informs them that they have a mission. They are to track down the Prophet of the Dragon and tell him to stop his reign of fear, and then they are to bring him and his followers back to Rand. The troupe waiting for him shows their enthusiasm for this task with a great deal of exuberance. As a side mission, they are to convince the Queen of Ghealdan, Alliandre, that they are not an invading force—which is why Berelain has been brought along.

Characters

• Perrin
• Faile
• Loial
• Stepper
• Karldin Manfor
• Swallow
• Aram
• Bain
• Chiad
• Sulin
• Gaul
• Selande
• Camaille Nolaisen
• Jur Grady
• Fager Neald
• Edarra
• Seonid
• Masuri
• Dannil Lewin
• Stayer
• Berelain
• Havien Nurelle
• Bertain Gallenne

Referenced

• Rand
• Dobraine
• Mat
• Moiraine
• Sora Grady
• Canler
• Mazrim Taim
• Dashiva
• Alliandre
• Masema

Places

• Cairhien (city)
• Ghealdan

Referenced

• Two Rivers
• Dumai's Wells
• Mayene

Items

• Wolf-Head Banner
• Red Eagle Banner

Memorable Quotations

"Blue ice would have been warm and soft beside them."
   —Describing Rand's eyes when he orders Perrin out of his sight.

"Quick words make long troubles."
   —Loial commenting on Rand's actions towards Perrin.