Absolutely loving this novel so far. Great stuff in these chapters. Lots of foreshadowing going on and a little mystery to keep things interesting.
Chapter Summaries
Mat ponders the meaning of the attack on the Stone. While sitting alone in a crowded tavern, he overhears a rumor of Whitecloaks attacking the Two Rivers (with justification obviously.) He returns to find Perrin already knows and is packing to leave. Mat can’t break the pull of ta’veren; he’d like a piece of Berelain.
Berelain randomly drops in on Perrin and upsets Faile. Perrin thinks he has found a way to discourage his falcon from following him home. The falcon chases the hawk and a catfight ensues before Rhuarc breaks it up. Jordan is into kinky stuff (we can surmise.)
Mat rolls the dice (figuratively) and enters the door ter’angreal. He meets some snake-like humanoids and asks them questions (although not the ones he’d prepared.) Gongs sound and the building/world begins to shake; the snake-people rush him out after shouting incomprehensible reasons for him to go to Rhuidean. Rand and Moiraine were both in the portal at the same time. None of them share the answers they received.
Perrin and Faile use Loial as a rope for tug-of-war as they bicker like an old married couple. The three make an arrangement to travel to the Two Rivers “together.” Perrin finds an ally in Gaul. Elayne is upset that Rand didn’t make a huge fuss about her leaving for Tanchico. She left a note with him that she now regrets. She doesn’t get that he has no context for her code language. This is something married people work out if they have a happy, functioning relationship. Lan declares his love for Nynaeve and volunteers to break his oath to Moiraine to protect her in Tanchico. She is flattered and of course will have none of it. He shows that he knows how to deal with a woman by picking her up and kissing her until she stops struggling. Elayne decides to take Rand in hand by writing a second letter (to be continued in future chapters - dum dum dum.)
Thom and Moiraine have an encounter while she’s rummaging through his room. He and Mat would both like a go with her, if she weren’t Aes Sedai. She has knowledge related to his nephew Owyn (as well as his past as a court bard) and she’s willing to share it with him should he be willing to watch over Elayne and Nynaeve in Tanchico. Min continues her time in the White Tower. Elayne’s brothers seek knowledge of her true whereabouts, while Galad has, understandably, started to show interest in The Children of the Light. Min sees a halo around Logain (indicating future glory) and rushes to the Amyrlin’s office. While there, she learns that Mazrim Taim has escaped and the Amyrlin decides to officially convene the Hall of Sitters to announce Rand as the Dragon Reborn. Sahra Covenry is mysteriously killed, or rather a mysterious wielder of the One Power tortures and then kills her.
Perrin, Loial, Faile, and Gaul are joined by Bain and Chiad. A lot of banter happens. A bell-like sound peals out and the Stone of tear shakes as though in an earthquake. The group flees Tear and finds their way to a Gate. They enter The Ways.
My Thoughts
I feel for Perrin. He’s trying to do the right thing and surrender himself to the authorities for proper judgement, but that strong-headed woman will have none of it (although she doesn’t even know why he wants to leave without her.) It’s got to be tough to be in that position. He just wants to do the right thing and make amends for the wrongs he’s done. It just goes to show how one wrong decision can lead you down the path to the Dark One.
Berelain is clearly walking in the Light. She rightly refuses to consort with that degenerate layabout Cauthon, and then she endeavors to offer gainful employment to a man who has clearly lost his way. Of course, if she knew he was a wanted murderer, she wouldn’t be so quick to offer a helping hand, but clearly her heart is in the right place here. She really is a blessing from the Creator.
Messing with the One Power never turns out well, and Cauthon’s misadventure through the Looking Glass is proof that channeling should be left to the Creator. His Power was never meant to be used by mortals. The fact that two obvious darkfriends also used this device of evil and none of the three is willing to talk honestly of their experience...well that just proves my point.
Let us take a moment and honor an Ogier who understood his place in the world. Here is a creature who knows his role to protect women and children from the Shadow’s abominations. Unfortunately, his loyalty is misguided and his oath to aid Faile will eventually bring him to evil.
