Chapter 2 - Whirlpools in the Pattern

Summary

In the Stone of Tear, Perrin and Faile banter before Perrin is forced to battle a sentient, malicious axe that has come alive by his hand, ultimately trapping it in the door. Meanwhile, Mat gambles in a tavern with Tairen lords, recounting a story about the Maidens of the Spear to win their favor, only to experience a violent vision where the card figures attack him. Rand, troubled by dreams, channels to defend himself when Berelain enters his chambers; after repelling her advances, he discovers the room invaded by his own malicious reflections from mirrors, which he fights and defeats by absorbing their power, leaving him exhausted and bleeding.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara (ta'veren) — Perrin confronts his growing unease about his destiny before battling an axe that has turned sentient and hostile, eventually immobilizing it by driving it into his door after a fierce struggle.
• Faile — Faile attempts to persuade Perrin to leave the Stone with her, but when an axe attacks them, she fights alongside him before angrily confronting him for endangering her, though she is relieved he is unharmed.
• Edorion — Edorion gambles with the group and later denies seeing anything supernatural after the vision.
• Estean — Estean, a plain-faced youth drunk on wine, mocks the Aiel, suggests Mat might try the Sea Folk women, brings up the Lord Dragon's proclamation that lords could be tried by magistrates for offenses against commoners, and drunkenly mentions flipping a coin for marriage prospects before panicking during the vision and scavenging for spilled wine afterward.
• Berelain (my Lady) — Berelain enters Rand's chambers at night intending to seduce him, but is repelled by his anger and then terrified when she witnesses his battle with the mirror reflections, begging forgiveness afterward.