Contents
Chapter 30
Overview
Shattered by his family’s murder, Perrin resolves to fight rather than surrender to the Whitecloaks. He gathers allies and accepts Marin al’Vere’s plan to hide at the old sickhouse. After slipping past village suspicion, Warders intercept them, exposing secretly sheltered Aes Sedai and forcing Perrin to trust their protection.
Summary
Perrin grieves in Faile’s arms over his slain family, then regains control. He abandons the idea of surrendering to the Whitecloaks, resolves to free the Luhhans and the Cauthon women, find Tam al’Thor and Abell Cauthon, and later deal with the Trollocs. Faile insists on staying, and Perrin accepts.
In the kitchen, Loial offers to help and even sing to the apple trees later; Gaul, Bain, and Chiad also commit to remain. Marin al’Vere, calling them all stubborn, proposes hiding them at the ruined old sickhouse in the Westwood and organizes a discreet rendezvous at a split oak.
While leaving, Cenn Buie spots Loial and panics, calling him a Trolloc and accusing Perrin of bringing trouble. Marin browbeats Cenn into silence, warning him that the Women’s Circle is involved. The group departs in small parties, with Loial hooded and Perrin cloaked to avoid notice.
They meet at the lightning-split oak and proceed on foot through overgrown woods. Near their destination, two Warders, Tomas and Ihvon, appear with bows ready. Marin reveals she kept a secret even from the Mayor: the Women’s Circle is hiding Aes Sedai who were passed to them from Watch Hill.
Despite Perrin’s distrust of Aes Sedai, Marin insists this is the safest refuge. With the Warders cautious but permitting them to proceed, Perrin chooses to trust Marin’s plan for now, seeking Aes Sedai shelter as he prepares to rescue prisoners and confront the threats menacing the Two Rivers.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraMourns his murdered family, rejects surrender, resolves to rescue captives and find Tam and Abell, and accepts hiding with Aes Sedai.
- Faile (Zarine Bashere)Comforts Perrin, insists on staying, supports plans, and defers to Marin’s covert route while remaining ready to fight.
- Marin al'VereOrganizes secrecy, selects the old sickhouse as a hideout, corrals Cenn Buie into silence, and leads Perrin to hidden Aes Sedai.
- LoialPledges to stay and help Perrin; travels hooded to avoid notice; offers to sing to the apple trees later.
- GaulAiel Stone Dog who remains with Perrin out of blood debt and readiness to fight.
- BainMaiden of the Spear who chooses to stay and aid Perrin, moving stealthily through the woods.
- ChiadMaiden of the Spear who commits to helping Perrin and travels covertly with the group.
- Bran al'VereMayor of Emond’s Field; supports Marin but is kept uninformed about the hidden Aes Sedai.
- Cenn BuieCantankerous thatcher who accuses Perrin and mistakes Loial for a Trolloc; intimidated into keeping quiet.
- TomasGray-haired Warder who confronts the group near the sickhouse and upholds the Aes Sedai’s secrecy.
- IhvonSlender Warder who scouts and helps intercept the group, confirming the hidden Aes Sedai.