Chapter 41

The Snow Goose approaches Illian through vast marshes. Perrin focuses on the harbor and tanneries to avoid the fraught atmosphere on deck as Moiraine’s cold displeasure over Zarine’s presence weighs on everyone. Perrin reflects on recent wolf-dreams, where Hopper warned him away, and notes the wolves seem distant now.

On docking, Captain Adarra hastily unloads the horses. Loial emerges nervously, avoiding Moiraine’s gaze. Zarine teases Perrin, asserting herself despite the tension. Moiraine confronts her directly, and Zarine insists she will continue her Hunt with them, calling herself Faile.

Moiraine sets harsh terms: Zarine must swear by her Hunter’s oath to obey, ask no questions, and not leave them, or be held in the marsh until released. Zarine swears, and Moiraine seals it, then declares that since Perrin brought her, Faile is his responsibility. Moiraine also tells Perrin that Faile is Min’s foretold “falcon,” warns him as ta’veren, and threatens to cut both their threads if necessary.

Faile bristles at being anyone’s charge and peppers Perrin with questions, which he refuses to answer. With no horse for Faile, Perrin hauls her up behind his saddle. Lan leads out, with Moiraine and Loial following, and Perrin brings up the rear, grumbling, as they ride from the docks into Illian.