32 Four Kings in Shadow

On the Caemlyn Road, Rand and Mat spot a dust plume and hide in a hedgerow as armed riders pass, reinforcing their caution after Whitebridge. Hungry and dusty, they remember a farmer’s wary kindness and continue east, avoiding mounted travelers and scanning for Myrddraal.

Passing through a village that recalls Emond’s Field, Rand battles homesickness and doubts about his past, while Mat presses to move on. Nights are cold and food scarce; they often sleep without fires, save money, and argue over selling Mat’s ruby-hilted dagger versus Rand’s heron-mark sword. Mat refuses, and they trudge on, alternating between refusal and brief charity at suspicious farms.

Attempts to steal food prove risky, with dogs and angry farmers chasing them off. Rand prefers honest work for meals and straw beds, but every hour spent on chores feels like time for a Fade to gain ground. Mat’s mistrust deepens, seeing threats even in helpful faces.

At the Grinwell farm, Mistress Grinwell offers clean clothes and supper; Else Grinwell flirts openly with Rand. That evening, Mat juggles and Rand plays Thom’s flute, stirring both family delight and Rand’s memories of Thom. Mistress Grinwell pointedly watches Rand, then pointedly steers the boys to leave early the next day, but the experience sparks an idea.

They test the plan in Arien, where a brief performance earns a bed and hot food. Success follows from village to village: innkeepers bid for their entertainment, and morning rides carry them further east. Though still anxious and hungry at times, they manage steady progress. The chapter closes as they reach the larger, rougher town of Four Kings, where their routine may not suffice.