Contents
28 Footprints in Air
Overview
Perrin grows uneasy among the Tuatha’an as Egwene embraces their joy and Aram’s attention. Elyas delays departure until a foreboding “feeling” and a terrifying dream of Ba’alzamon mark the time to go. Raen senses the same threat, sending the wagons east toward possible Ogier safety, while Perrin, Egwene, and Elyas depart with wolves scouting.
Summary
Traveling slowly with the Tuatha’an, Perrin frets over endangering their hosts while Elyas insists on waiting, guided by an unexplainable feeling. Perrin’s axe and the Tinkers’ Way of the Leaf create quiet tension. Egwene delights in dancing and companionship, especially with Aram, while Ila grows wary of her grandson’s interest and counsels Egwene on womanhood.
Nightly dances both fascinate and embarrass Perrin, deepening his discomfort with the Tuatha’an’s carefree life. He continues to wear his axe defiantly despite gentle disapproval. His dreams are free of Ba’alzamon until one night he dreams of Ba’alzamon burning a wolf and sending a raven to pierce his eye, leaving him shaken upon waking.
At dawn, wolves project shared alarm—fire, pain, Heartfang—confirming danger. Elyas declares it is time to move. Raen independently senses an ominous day and decides to take the wagons east, perhaps as far as the Spine of the World to seek a stedding. Despite custom, there is no feast; instead, the camp assembles for farewells.
Aram pleads with Egwene to stay, but she refuses. After a formal sendoff—Elyas respectfully echoing their ceremonial words—the travelers part. Raen leads the Tuatha’an east. Perrin, Egwene on Bela, and Elyas set out with Dapple, Wind, and Hopper scouting. Perrin briefly walls off the wolves from his mind but remains conflicted as they resume their perilous journey.
Who Appears
- Perrin AybaraUneasy among the Tuatha’an; clings to his axe; suffers a Ba’alzamon nightmare; senses wolves; departs with Elyas and Egwene.
- Egwene al’VereEmbraces Tinker dances and joy; courted by Aram; receives Ila’s advice; chooses to leave with Perrin and Elyas.
- Elyas MacheraGuided by a strong feeling to wait, then to leave; communes with wolves; leads their departure.
- RaenTuatha’an Seeker; senses an ominous day; redirects the caravans east, possibly toward a stedding; bids formal farewell.
- IlaKind but wary of violence; advises Egwene; restrains Aram; relieved at the travelers’ departure.
- AramYoung Tuatha’an who courts Egwene; pleads for her to stay; rebuffed and leaves angrily.
- Ba’alzamonAppears in Perrin’s dream; burns a wolf and sends a raven to pierce Perrin’s eye, asserting menace.
- DappleWolf pack leader; impatient to move; shares warnings of danger; scouts ahead.
- WindYoung wolf; impatient and hungry; shares danger signals; scouts with the pack.
- HopperOld, scarred wolf; steadfast guardian; supports Dapple’s course and scouts the way.
- BelaStout mare carrying Egwene as the group departs the Tuatha’an camp.
- Alsbet LuhhanAppears in Perrin’s dream, calmly cooking while Ba’alzamon attacks.