Chapter 44

Perrin awakens in the Winespring Inn, healed by Alanna but weak. Faile, exhausted and anxious, reveals Loial and Gaul left at dawn toward the Westwood, likely to reach and seal the Waygate. Perrin tries to mount a pursuit, tumbles down the stairs with Faile, and is deftly managed by Faile and Marin al’Vere into staying focused on leading rather than chasing.

Shouts of Trollocs draw everyone west of the village. Alanna and Verin Heal injured woodcutters, while Warders Ihvon and Tomas watch the treeline. Bain and Chiad arrive, reporting roughly five hundred Trollocs near. The crowd gawks at the Aes Sedai until Perrin pushes leaders into motion; Tam al’Thor quickly orders the ranks, with Bran al’Vere bolstering morale. Catapults prepared under Warder oversight are quietly readied with stones the Aes Sedai have worked.

At Tam’s command, Two Rivers bowmen hold until three hundred paces, then unleash deadly volleys. The catapults fire; the stones burst into fiery shards among the Trollocs. Despite losses, the Trollocs charge until arrows and explosions break them short of the stakes; Myrddraal fall riddled, and the survivors drag back. The village erupts in celebration, crediting Perrin, though he insists the villagers won the fight.

Reading the field, Perrin and Tomas conclude the assault was a probe to test Emond’s Field’s readiness. A lone raven scouts before returning to the woods. Verin explains that large groups in the Ways would draw Machin Shin, implying staggered small parties are entering, with unknown total strength.

Faile warns Perrin not to ride toward the Westwood. He momentarily plots to slip away to aid Loial and Gaul but turns back as fresh cries rise from the south near the Old Road, signaling new danger.