Contents
Chapter 42
Overview
Perrin enters the wolf dream, discovers the Manetheren Waygate reopened, and narrowly survives an ambush by Slayer, who boasts more Trollocs will come. Forced to seek Healing, Perrin departs the Tinkers and returns to a newly fortified Emond’s Field bearing a wolfhead banner. Verin moves openly as Aes Sedai and directs Perrin to Alanna for Healing, raising the stakes for the village’s defense.
Summary
Perrin dreams lucidly among the Tuatha’an wagons and confirms he is in the wolf dream. Testing his will, he forces his belt-weapon to stay an axe. Ranging across the Two Rivers, he finds many farms abandoned and follows a flight of ravens into the Mountains of Mist, to the Manetheren valley and its Waygate.
At the Waygate, Perrin realizes the Avendesora leaf has been moved and the gate stands open, implying Shadowspawn passage. An unseen archer nearly kills him; reasoning the shot’s origin, he stalks and spots the assassin Slayer, whose Borderlander look recalls Lan. Perrin aims but Slayer bolts; in the Westwood, Slayer’s disembodied taunts reveal Machin Shin killed many Shadowspawn in the locked Ways, the gate is open again, and the Two Rivers will be “harrowed” to find Perrin. Refusing an ambush, Perrin tries to wake—and slides into a softer dream of Faile.
Perrin wakes in pain with Faile and Ihvon watching. He insists on the mountains and the Waygate, but Faile overrules him: he will go to Emond’s Field for Aes Sedai Healing. After being fed and dressed—Faile firmly in charge—they leave the Tinker camp. Perrin urges Raen and Ila to come to the village for safety, but the Tuatha’an refuse, trusting the Way of the Leaf and movement. Goodbyes are exchanged; Aram watches, frowning.
On the road, Gaul reacts tensely to mention of Chiad and Maidens’ Kiss, hinting at complicated feelings. Faile and Perrin trade teasing and tenderness, with Faile promising one day to dance the sa’sara for him. Despite pain, Perrin keeps his bearing as the Two Rivers men’s spirits rise; they sing as they pass increasingly abandoned farms and then larger, guarded flocks.
Emond’s Field shocks them: the treeline cut back, angled stake defenses, sentries with old arms, and new catapults. Crowds murmur “Perrin Goldeneyes,” and a red wolfhead banner flies over the Green. Verin appears openly as Aes Sedai, explains people wanted a symbol wolves would frighten Trollocs, and assesses Perrin’s wound as infected and rib-caught, requiring Alanna. She dispatches a girl to summon Daise Congar’s herbs and directs Perrin to Healing, while Perrin uneasily wonders at Verin’s true purpose.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraWolfbrother; in Tel’aran’rhiod discovers the Waygate reopened, survives Slayer’s ambush, and returns for Healing.
- Faile (Zarine) BashereTends and overrules Perrin, forcing him to seek Healing; shares intimate, teasing moments and bolsters morale.
- SlayerAssassin in the wolf dream; taunts Perrin, reveals the reopened Waygate and coming harrowing of the Two Rivers.
- Verin MathwinAes Sedai acting openly in Emond’s Field; evaluates Perrin’s wound and sends for Alanna and the Wisdom.
- IhvonWarder; stands guard over Perrin, remarks on catapults and defenses, and supports the group’s return.
- RaenMahdi of the Tuatha’an; refuses Perrin’s plea to seek village safety, trusting the Way of the Leaf.
- IlaTinker matriarch; aids Faile with Perrin and reaffirms the Way of the Leaf despite Trolloc danger.
- GaulStone Dog; bristles at mention of Chiad and Maidens’ Kiss, hinting at personal conflict.
- BainMaiden of the Spear; escorts and watches over Faile during the return to Emond’s Field.
- ChiadMaiden of the Spear; her name provokes Gaul’s conflicted reaction as they travel.
- Wil al'SeenTwo Rivers archer; spirits lifted among the Tinkers, flirts and sings on the road home.
- Ban al'SeenTwo Rivers man; wounded but buoyant, joins the singing and return to the fortified village.
- Dannil LewinTwo Rivers leader; heartened by Tinker hospitality, marches and sings toward Emond’s Field.