The Wheel of Time, #5
The Fires of Heaven
by Robert Jordan
Contents
12 An Old Pipe
Overview
Gareth Bryne tracks three young women and a powerful man from Lugard, learning they pushed west on the Jehannah Road. Reports of Whitecloaks seeking “Mara” raise the stakes, prompting Bryne to drive his men hard toward Altara. Along the way, Bryne recalls Morgase, Elaida, and Siuan, and hears of Gaebril’s alarming militarization in Andor.
Summary
In Lugard, Gareth Bryne loses his hat to a wagon and enters The Wagon Seat to quietly reconvene with Joni and Barim. After retrieving their horses and leaving the city, the men compare rumors. Barim confirms sightings of three outland women and a broad-shouldered man visiting inns, with the Domani woman stirring and soothing attention, but he lacks their direction. Joni adds that “Mara” sought singing work at The Good Night’s Ride, then the group departed quickly, heading west on the Jehannah Road.
Bryne weighs the risks of pursuing them beyond Murandy and the meager justice owed for a burned barn, but new reports shift his resolve. Barim relays that Whitecloaks were asking about a girl matching Mara and grew intent upon learning she had left. Bryne rejects the notion that Mara is a Darkfriend yet recognizes Whitecloak zeal could doom her if they catch her. He spurs his horse and returns to his camp determined to give chase.
At a hidden campsite, Bryne surveys his aging veterans and decides to press west despite the distance, warning they may be drawn as far as Altara, Amadicia, or Ebou Dar. To buoy spirits, he jokes about Ebou Dari taverns, and the men respond with rough humor and confidence in him.
Bryne then recounts a past clash in Caemlyn when Siuan Sanche and Elaida forced Morgase to pull Andoran troops back from the Murandian border, undercutting his command in public. He steels himself against old wounds involving Morgase’s later condemnation and exile of him. News from former Guards alarms him: Gaebril’s “White Lions” and other irregulars have swelled Caemlyn’s armed strength, loyal to the throne but not the Queen.
Resolute, Bryne orders immediate pursuit. He and his men ride hard west after the fugitives, intending to catch them before the Whitecloaks do, wherever the chase leads.
Who Appears
- Gareth BryneVeteran commander pursuing three young women and a man west from Lugard; resolves to outpace Whitecloaks and recalls past with Morgase, Elaida, and Siuan.
- JoniBryne’s man who learns the fugitives went west; believes the women need rescuing and reports Mara sought singing work.
- BarimBryne’s scout; details sightings of the group, the Domani woman’s effect, and warns Whitecloaks are asking about Mara.
- MaraAlias used for one of the pursued young women; target of Whitecloak inquiries that spur Bryne’s urgency.
- DalynBroad-shouldered man traveling with the women; mentioned as part of the group Bryne pursues.
- Domani womanOne of the three fugitives; uses charm to defuse attention in Lugard inns.
- Morgase TrakandQueen of Andor recalled in Bryne’s memories; earlier compelled by Siuan and Elaida to alter border policy.
- Siuan SancheFormer Amyrlin recalled by Bryne; publicly chastised him during a past Caemlyn visit.
- Elaida do Avriny a’RoihanAes Sedai advisor to Morgase in Bryne’s recollection; sided with Siuan in overruling Bryne.
- Lord GaebrilFigure in Caemlyn whose forces, including White Lions, swell outside the Queen’s Guards, alarming Bryne.
- Children of the Light (Whitecloaks)Reported in Lugard seeking “Mara,” raising the danger and hastening Bryne’s pursuit.
- ThadOne of Bryne’s men; banters in camp, helping lift morale before the hard ride west.
- Jar SilvinBryne’s veteran who reins in camp gossip, keeping focus before the march.