Contents
Chapter 33
Overview
Lord Luc’s arrival sharpens tensions, but Perrin unites scattered farms by urging them to gather for safety, revealing his ta’veren influence. He then leads a daring night rescue from the Whitecloaks at Watch Hill, freeing the Luhhans and Cauthons. Afterward, Perrin splits the party, sending the rescued to safety while he draws Whitecloak pursuit, setting the Two Rivers on a new defensive course.
Summary
At Jac al’Seen’s farm, Lord Luc arrives to fawning welcome. Perrin distrusts Luc’s arrogance and notices his unease around Verin. Luc flirts with Faile and reacts oddly to Perrin, as if recognizing him. When Luc’s advice proves shallow, Perrin challenges the farmers: scattered homesteads make them prey for Trollocs and dependent on Whitecloaks.
Perrin urges everyone to gather in a village (preferably Emond’s Field) for safety. Despite initial protests, families agree, and Luc leaves tight-lipped. Verin observes Perrin’s ta’veren pull and warns him quietly about Alanna and Tower designs. Faile admits trying to provoke jealousy; they make peace, though her words keep Perrin off balance. Four local youths insist on joining Perrin’s group.
On the road, Perrin repeats his consolidation warning at nearby farms, growing both evacuations and his band of eager young riders. Aiel allies Gaul, Bain, and Chiad rejoin them, causing brief tension. Tam and Abell guide the party to a thicket overlooking the Whitecloak camp near Watch Hill, where Abell identifies the prisoners’ tent holding the Luhhans and Natti, Bodewhin, and Eldrin Cauthon. Perrin assumes command, planning a stealth extraction.
After dark, Perrin and Faile crawl through the camp; a Whitecloak nearly strangles Perrin until Faile knocks the man out. Donning the man’s cloak, Perrin advances to the prison tent as Bain and Chiad silently disable the guards. Master Luhhan wakes the others; Perrin disguises Haral and Alsbet in captured cloaks and leads all toward the picket lines, where they seize horses from the inside.
An alarm sounds as they bolt. They race back to the thicket where Tam has everyone mounted. Perrin sends Tam, Abell, Gaul, Bain, Chiad, Faile, and the freed prisoners to hide in an empty farmhouse. Verin predicts imminent heavy rain but declines direct aid. Perrin then leads the remaining Two Rivers lads south along the North Road, shouting to draw Whitecloak pursuit—and vows they will hunt Trollocs next.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraTakes charge; convinces farms to consolidate; leads a stealth rescue from Whitecloaks; sends rescued west to hide; draws pursuit south.
- Faile (Zarine Bashere)Makes amends with Perrin; aids infiltration; saves Perrin from a Whitecloak; joins rescued group sent to safety.
- Verin MathwinObserves Perrin’s ta’veren influence; warns him about Alanna and Tower schemes; predicts a coming downpour.
- Lord LucArrogant Hunter for the Horn; uneasy with Aes Sedai; agitates against Whitecloaks; reacts oddly, fearfully to Perrin.
- Tam al’ThorGuides scouting; identifies watchpoint; escorts rescued prisoners to a safe farmhouse.
- Abell CauthonConfirms prisoners’ location; reunites with family; helps lead the rescued to hiding.
- GaulAiel Stone Dog; assists infiltration and covering the rescue; escorts the freed west.
- BainMaidens of the Spear; silently drops a guard and aids the prison-tent breach; escorts the rescued.
- ChiadMaidens of the Spear; helps disable guards and secure the rescue; departs with the freed.
- Haral LuhhanImprisoned blacksmith; freed during the raid; disguised in a Whitecloak’s cloak; escapes to hiding.
- Alsbet LuhhanImprisoned; dons Whitecloak gear for escape; spirited to safety with her husband.
- Natti CauthonWhitecloak prisoner; rescued by Perrin’s group and sent to a safe hideout.
- Bodewhin CauthonImprisoned by Whitecloaks; freed in the night raid; flees with family to safety.
- Eldrin CauthonImprisoned by Whitecloaks; rescued and evacuated to a hiding place.
- TomasVerin’s Warder; scouts and stands ready; remains with Verin as others split.
- Wil al’SeenJoins Perrin with other youths; eager yet inexperienced; follows Perrin south to draw pursuit.
- Ban al’SeenYoung rider from al’Seen farm; leads a subgroup; joins the diversion south.
- Dannil LewinAmong the youths who join Perrin; participates in the diversion.
- Tell LewinEager youth speaking of ‘casting defiance’; placed under Perrin’s stricter command.
- Jac al’SeenFarm head who accepts Perrin’s plan; begins evacuating his people toward Emond’s Field.