- For the chapter in The Fires of Heaven with a similar title, see An Unexpected Offer.
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| Setting: Ghealdan along the Jehannah Road |
Summary[]
- Point of view: Galad Damodred
Galadedrid Damodred and Dain Bornhald run waiting for the arrows. They hear the distant bow twang and wait. However, no arrows fall anywhere near them. The two are confused. A call goes out, "Trollocs". They look forward and see the a Trolloc army being bombarded by arrows from above. Galad organizes his men into formation. Jaret Byar gallops up exclaiming that Perrin Aybara has brought the Trollocs. Bornhald is confused as what reason would he have to bring this many Trollocs and then slaughter them. Byar tells them the timing of Perrin and the Trolloc army showing up at the same time is convenient. Galad wants to keep some pike at the foot of the slope just in case Perrin does decide to attack them.
- Point of view: Faile Aybara
Zarine ni Bashere t'Aybara wants to know how Perrin knew about the Trollocs. Perrin realized they were being herded into an ambush point. Enemy infiltrators among the refugees claimed the way ahead was impassable, turning Basel Gill off course. The dome prevented gateway travel. Also, Perrin suspected a Portal Stone was buried underground the ruins. Perrin realized they'd escaped the ambush, but the Whitecloak's and he suspects a Forsaken may lead the attack. But, Grady only senses a moderately strong channeller off and on, likely jumping back and forth to bring fists of Trollocs. Trollocs push closer to the rise of the slope and Perrin sends Faile, Berelain, and Alliandre back to safety. If he's overwhelmed, he'll retreat into gateways. Although the Children of the Light abandoned the Two Rivers [1], Perrin refuses to abandon anyone to the Trollocs. Faile leans forward and hugs Perrin, thanking him for being the man he is. Arrows continually bombard the Trolloc army, but the arrows are running low. Trollocs finally crest the slope and Perrin starts to attack them.
- Point of view: Galad Damodred
Galad continues to cut down Trollocs. His force is not doing well and they are slowly being pushed back. A Trolloc cuts down his horse. Galad manages to jump free but snaps his ankle. Galad is nearly overwhelmed when Bornhald and other Children drive the Trollocs back. Galad realizes the Trollocs are surrounding them and pinning them against the side of the hill. The Children's defenses are crumbling with their fighting tactics no better than any other men. The Light does not protect them and they are slowly being beaten. Some are even running away in terror.
- Point of view: Perrin Aybara
Perrin swings Mah'alleinir which burns any Trolloc skin it touches. Perrin's army fights well, suffering few casualties. Perrin sees the Whitecloaks slowly backed against the hill. Perrin order his channelers to prioritize attacking Myrddraal. Grady reports the enemy channeler had not engaged in battle. His force has managed to drive the Trollocs off the hill rise. Perrin decides he must help the Whitecloaks. Gallenne argues against this, as the riding down the slope could be treacherous. Perrin is determined to not leave them unaided and asks for Gallenne's help. Gallenne agrees.
- Point of view: Galad Damodred
Galad exhausted, notices a shock to the Trolloc horde. He hears them speaking to each other in some guttural language. He then watches as a force of cavalry ride down the slope, smashing into the side of the Trolloc army, led by Perrin himself. Galad desperately tries to rally his men towards Perrin's army. His twisted ankle snaps on and he falls to the ground. A Trolloc is about to finish Galad off when Aybara rides through, smashing the Trolloc away with his massive hammer. Perrin gets off his horse and ushers Galad onto it. Perrin's charge down the slopes had broken the Trolloc army up, with groups starting to flee. Galad presumes that Perrin's maneuver will effect his decision on Perrin's fate. Perrin surprises the man by affirming this. Galad realizes that Perrin is a straight-forward trust worthy guy and that they are now allies. He names Perrin's punishment,
- Perrin must pay five hundred crowns to the victims family and that he must fight with all his strength at Tarmon Gai'don.
The two men shake hands. Jaret Byar steps behind Perrin, intending to stab him in the back. However, his blow doesn't fall, having been run through by Bornhald. Byar drops to the ground dead. Bornhald tells them it wasn't the right thing to do. He looks at Perrin hateful and walks off. The battle is starting to calm down as the last of the Trollocs are defeated.
Characters[]
- Galad Damodred
- Dain Bornhald
- Stout
- Jaret Byar
- Perrin Aybara
- Faile Aybara
- Berelain Paendrag
- Jur Grady
- Alliandre Maritha Kigarin
- Bertain Gallenne
- Gerard Arganda
- Stepper
- Jori Congar
- Fager Neald
- Trom
Referenced[]
Places[]
- Ghealdan along the Jehannah Road