Contents
35 Caemlyn
Overview
Rand and Mat push along the crowded Caemlyn Road, facing open hostility from locals and merchants. In a night village, they spot a Myrddraal conferring with innkeeper Raimun Holdwin, who is hunting two youths with a heron-mark sword. Old farmer Almen Bunt gives them an overnight ride, delivering them to Caemlyn at dawn.
Summary
After leaving Carysford, Rand and Mat hide in a haystack and press on toward Caemlyn at dawn, joining a growing stream of travelers eager to see the captured false Dragon, Logain. Locals, wagoners, and even Queen’s Guards show hostility toward the itinerant crowds, and drivers lash at passersby.
Hunger and caution keep Rand from performing for coin. As day wanes, they pass wary farms and unfriendly villages. After dark, in a roadside town, Rand sees a cloaked figure whose garment does not stir in the wind—a Myrddraal—speaking with innkeeper Raimun Holdwin. The presence chills Rand; the Fade slips away.
Old farmer Almen Bunt confronts Holdwin about his “strange friend.” Holdwin claims two young thieves with a heron-mark sword are Darkfriends and Logain’s followers, offering a reward. When Holdwin retreats, Rand risks approaching Bunt for a ride. Bunt, skeptical but game, takes them up onto his cart for Caemlyn.
All night Bunt talks of Caemlyn, Queen Morgase, and Aes Sedai Elaida, while Rand dozes into a nightmare of pursuit and loss, jolting awake in terror. At first light, Bunt announces they have arrived at Caemlyn.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorExhausted and hungry, he keeps them moving, spots a Myrddraal, secures Bunt’s cart, and suffers a terrifying dream.
- Mat CauthonWary and irritable, nursing light sensitivity, he follows Rand’s lead and rides with Bunt to Caemlyn.
- Almen BuntPlainspoken farmer; challenges the innkeeper’s secrecy and gives Rand and Mat an overnight ride to Caemlyn.
- Raimun HoldwinInnkeeper meeting a Myrddraal; spreads lies about two youths with a heron-mark sword and a gold reward.
- Myrddraal (Fade)Cloaked shadow speaking with Holdwin; its unmoving cloak reveals its nature before it vanishes into the night.