26 Whitebridge

Perrin, Egwene, and Elyas travel south and east, shadowed by three wolves—Dapple, Hopper, and Wind—whose movements Perrin inexplicably senses. After Elyas pacifies three mastiffs guarding a grove, he leads them into a Tuatha’an camp despite misgivings.

In the vibrant Tinker encampment, Seeker Raen and his wife Ila welcome them. Elyas warns Perrin and Egwene to keep their secrets and observe Tinker formalities. Over introductions, Elyas explains the Tinkers’ search for a mysterious song lost in the Breaking.

At Raen’s fire, Egwene meets Aram, whose charm draws her to tour the camp and dance. Raen explains the Way of the Leaf—absolute nonviolence—prompting a tense exchange with Perrin over self-defense and with Elyas, who rejects their pacifism. Ila worries Elyas courts a violent end, revealing strain between their ways.

After supper, Raen shares a troubling tale: two years earlier, Tuatha’an crossing the Aiel Waste found dying Maidens of the Spear returning from the Blight. One maiden, loathing the Tinkers yet urgent, warned that the Dark One means to blind the Eye of the World and slay the Great Serpent, and to be ready for He Who Comes With the Dawn. Elyas is unsettled but finds no clear meaning.

Later, Egwene returns from dancing, emotional yet comforted; Perrin reassures her their friends live. As night falls, wolves howl and Perrin’s wolf-shadowed dreams resume, signaling his deepening connection and unease.