Contents
8 A Place of Safety
Overview
Rand reaches a devastated Emond’s Field and finds Nynaeve unable to help Tam. At the inn, Bran and Thom reveal Moiraine is an Aes Sedai and that she and Lan saved the village. Learning Aes Sedai can Heal, Rand seeks Moiraine, who agrees to try treating Tam despite uncertain outcomes.
Summary
At dawn, Rand staggers into Emond’s Field with Tam on a litter and discovers widespread destruction from the night’s Trolloc raid. Haral Luhhan helps, and Egwene guides Rand to Nynaeve. After examining Tam’s wound and fever, Nynaeve grimly admits there is nothing she can do and returns to other injured villagers, leaving Rand desperate.
Determined to find help, Rand brings Tam to the Winespring Inn. Bran al’Vere and Thom Merrilin assist, but Nynaeve refuses to come. Rand notices the Dragon’s Fang scrawled on the inn door. While tending Tam, Bran and Thom explain that Moiraine and Lan defended the village—Moiraine with lightning, Lan with the sword—and that they likely prevented worse losses.
Confronted with Tam’s worsening fever, Bran suggests a risky alternative: ask Moiraine, an Aes Sedai, to Heal him. Though wary of Aes Sedai stories, Rand sees no choice and rushes to the northern bonfires where Trolloc corpses are being burned. There, Lan identifies multiple Trolloc bands acting together, and Moiraine fears they are further behind events than she hoped.
Rand pleads for Tam’s life. Moiraine questions him about his dreams, then agrees to help as much as she can, cautioning that she cannot stop the Wheel. Lan warns of the limits and costs of such aid. Exhausted yet resolute, Moiraine follows Rand back toward the inn to attempt Healing Tam.
Who Appears
- Rand al’ThorExhausted and desperate son; brings wounded Tam to the village and begs Moiraine for Healing.
- Moiraine (Moiraine Sedai)Revealed as Aes Sedai; helped defend the village; agrees to try Healing Tam despite limits.
- LanWarder who fought Trollocs; identifies seven Trolloc bands; protective and blunt about costs.
- Tam al’ThorBadly wounded and feverish from Trolloc attack; unconscious as others seek aid for him.
- Bran al’VereMayor who assists Rand and proposes seeking Moiraine’s Healing.
- Nynaeve al’MearaWisdom who examines Tam and admits she cannot help; focuses on other injured villagers.
- Thom MerrilinGleeman at the inn; confirms Moiraine and Lan’s defense; prods, then supports Bran’s idea.
- Egwene al’VereHelping tend the wounded; briefly comforts Rand before returning to assist Nynaeve.
- Haral LuhhanBlacksmith who helps carry Tam; describes the attack’s chaos and village resolve.