— Tam al'Thor to Perrin
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| Setting: Two Rivers, Watch Hill |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Perrin Aybara
Lord Luc arrogantly enters the al'Seen farmhouse and Perrin despises him on sight. Luc is startled when he sees Verin, for he recognizes her as an Aes Sedai, although he does not say anything. He appears shocked to see Perrin, as if he recognizes him. Perrin and Flann Lewin begin a discussion on how safe it is at the farm house and how good Lord Luc's suggestions on defending themselves are. Perrin suggests instead that they leave the farm and gather at Emond's Field so they don't have to hope Whitecloaks will be nearby if Trollocs come again. If they continue to depend on the Whitecloaks, they have to endure their questioning and allow them to arrest whomever they want, but if everyone gathers together they will be safer. A heated discussion starts but Perrin points out that the Trollocs are attacking farms where there are people, not deserted farms. The farms won't be disturbed if they are abandoned.
Lord Luc leaves without a grand exit. Jac and the others decide Perrin's advice is good, so they gather their belongs and the cattle and leave for Emond's Field. They say they will also talk with other farmer's in the area and suggest they do the same. Verin believes the decision by the farmers to leave was because Perrin is ta'veren, which fascinates her. She mentions Rand, another ta'veren and asks Perrin whether Rand has the sword and he sees no reason not to tell her. Verin warns Perrin about Alanna, but doesn't provide specifics on what she might do.
Faile asks Perrin to forgive her for her actions with Wil al'Seen and Lord Luc. Perrin asks her to forgive him for the things he said to try to keep her from coming to the Two Rivers. He wonders if Faile's father worked for a noblewoman, given what she says and how she reacts.
Several young men decide to go with Perrin to scout the Whitecloak camp. Wil al'Seen is one along with his cousin Ban, Tell Lewin, and Dannil Lewin. Although they are all a bit older than Perrin, they look to him for leadership. When Gaul, Bain, and Chiad appear there is almost a fight until Perrin can get everyone calmed down. Perrin decides to stop at the Torfinn farm and the family takes his suggestion to leave without hesitation. They continue to stop at farms and succeed in convincing the residents to leave. More young men to join their party despite Perrin's wish to keep things quiet. Wil and some of the other young men squabble over leadership and rank and finally Perrin has had enough and yells to impress on them the seriousness of the situation. He tells them to stay organized, focused and following orders. He then divides them into two groups led by Dannil and Ban. This impresses Faile and Tomas while Verin simply observes with great interest.
When they are close to Watch Hill, they begin walking the horses to attract less attention. Perrin issues orders for everyone to remain as stealthy as possible. Faile asks Perrin whether he used to be a soldier as he reminds him of some of her father's guards, but Perrin says that he has only seen soldiers talk as such.[1] They scout the encampment which has hundreds of Whitecloaks. Perrin sees a second, smaller camp which is much more disorganized.[2] Perrin needs some time to come up with a plan and so he asks Tam to settle down the young men and see if they brought rations to eat. Abruptly he realizes he is giving orders to someone older and more experienced and apologizes. Tam is not offended and tells Perrin he has followed younger men before when they knew what had to be done.
Verin observes that even though Perrin is not shifting the world under his feet like Rand is, Perrin is surely causing great changes to the Two Rivers. Perrin says he means only to rescue the prisoners, not cause wholesale changes to the Two Rivers. Faile asks if he means to rescue the prisoners that night, and Perrin knows he must do it now or it will only get harder and more risky. Word of his presence in the Two Rivers will reach Whitecloak ears soon and there is no way to predict what they will do with the prisoners when they do. The Aiel will help and Perrin decides to let Faile go, too, rather than have a confrontation. They eat a meal while hiding in the bushes and wait for nightfall. They wait and watch as the number of lights in the camp and nearby Watch Hill dwindle.
Perrin gathers Tam, Faile, Verin, and the Aiel around him to outline his plan. Tam is to keep everyone ready to leave, awaiting only the return with the prisoners. He will lead them to a nearby abandoned farmhouse to hide from the inevitable Whitecloak pursuit. Perrin asks the Aiel not to kill any Whitecloaks if possible, as to not inflame tensions. The Aiel are amused at this prospect and nod as they disappear into the underbrush.[3] Verin cautions Perrin to be careful, as being ta'veren does not mean that he cannot be harmed or killed. Perrin asks if Tomas can help but she implies that she has a different task for him.
Perrin, Faile and the Aiel sneak into the Whitecloak camp and make their way to the tent where the prisoners are held. On the way a Whitecloak attacks Perrin but Faile knocks him out with a piece of firewood. Perrin takes the cloak to use as a disguise. The Aiel easily take care of the guards before they can make a sound. They reach the tent and wake up Haral Luhhan, Alsbet Luhhan, Natti Cauthon, Eldrin Cauthon, and Bodewhin Cauthon. After getting everyone awake, they head for the picket lines, needing horses to get away from the camp quickly. When they rejoin the others they split up with the former prisoners moving away quietly, while Perrin and the rest noisily lead the Whitecloaks away. Perrin asks Verin if she can do anything and she comments that it might rain quite heavily in half an hour. As they escape Wil asks Perrin what is next and Perrin announces that they will hunt Trollocs.
Characters[]
- Perrin
- Wit al'Seen
- Luc
- Jac al'Seen
- Elisa al'Seen
- Tam al'Thor
- Abell Cauthon
- Verin
- Tomas
- Faile
- Wil al'Seen
- Flann Lewin
- Adine Lewin
- Laila Lewin
- Stepper (horse)
- Ban al'Seen
- Tell Lewin
- Dannil Lewin
- Gaul
- Bain
- Chiad
- Bili al'Dai
- Hu Marwin
- Jaim Torfinn
- Kenley Ahan
- Haral Luhhan
- Alsbet Luhhan
- Natti Cauthon
- Bodewhin Cauthon
- Eldrin Cauthon
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Notes
- ↑ Perrin is imitating the manner of Uno who is Shienaran; Faile is from the Borderlands although Perrin does not know this yet.
- ↑ The second is Fain's camp, likely populated by Darkfriend followers.
- ↑ The Aiel hold in high regard the ability to engage in combat without killing according to their system of ji'e'toh.