Contents
Chapter 43
Overview
Perrin returns to Emond’s Field amid grief, deteriorating from an infected arrow wound. Loial reveals the Waygate was left openable and vows to fix it, but Perrin claims responsibility.
Alanna arrives and undertakes urgent, excruciating Healing, while Faile, Loial, and villagers restrain Perrin, underscoring rising stakes at the Waygate and Perrin’s survival.
Summary
Verin leads Perrin and the wounded into the Winespring Inn through a grieving crowd. Overwhelmed by families calling missing names, Perrin collapses and is taken into the common room turned armory. Gaul, Bain, and Chiad stand guard while Verin coolly takes notes and urges patience for Alanna’s Healing.
Dav Ayellin, Elam Dowtry, and a grown Ewin Einngar pepper Perrin with naive questions about his travels. Verin reports Luc is absent after provoking Whitecloaks. Perrin deflects talk of grand adventures, unsettled by the village’s awe and his own worsening condition.
Loial arrives carrying a massive axe. Perrin asks about the Waygate; Loial admits he left both Avendesora leaves outside, locking it only from within and allowing enemies to open it from outside. He proposes removing the leaves entirely to prevent further use, though he fears harming the Gate.
Perrin forbids Loial from going alone, claiming responsibility and promising to act after Healing. His fever spikes; Faile discovers he is burning up. Alanna, with Ihvon, Marin al’Vere, and Alsbet Luhhan, arrives and orders Perrin to the kitchen table, warning there is little time.
Alanna explains the barbed arrowhead is twisted and must be realigned and extracted before Healing. Faile braces Perrin with a bite stick while Loial and the women pin him. As Alanna channels, icy Power floods Perrin; pain crashes over him and he blacks out, leaving the Waygate threat pending and his survival entrusted to Aes Sedai skill.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraReturns wounded and feverish; claims responsibility for the Waygate; undergoes Alanna’s urgent Healing.
- Faile (Zarine Bashere)Protective and commanding; tends Perrin, demands Healing, helps restrain him during the procedure.
- Alanna MosvaniArrives to Heal Perrin; realigns and extracts the arrowhead, then channels urgently to save him.
- Verin MathwinDetached and observant; manages events, takes notes, reports Luc’s provocation of Whitecloaks.
- LoialAdmits Waygate could be opened due to leaf placement; vows remedy; helps carry and restrain Perrin.
- GaulAiel guard; watches over Perrin and eyes Luc’s absence warily.
- BainMaiden of the Spear; stands guard, alert to threats around Perrin.
- ChiadMaiden of the Spear; guards Perrin alongside Bain, poised for trouble.
- IhvonAlanna’s Warder; accompanies her and assists during the urgent Healing.
- Marin al’VereInnkeeper; helps restrain Perrin on the kitchen table during Healing.
- Alsbet LuhhanBlacksmith’s wife; helps hold Perrin down for the procedure, worried for him.
- Dav AyellinOld friend; wide-eyed about adventures, oblivious to Perrin’s worsening state.
- Elam DowtryOld friend; eager, armed with an old sword, quizzes Perrin about cities.
- Ewin EinngarYounger villager, now grown; excitedly questions Perrin about heroes and queens.
- Tam al’ThorArrives armed; hears Perrin’s deflecting tale about Rand and Mat.
- Abell CauthonArrives with Tam; present as villagers crowd to hear Perrin.