Chapter 14 - Customs of Mayene

Summary

Perrin Aybara prepares to depart for the Two Rivers to confront the Children of the Light, but his preparations are interrupted by Berelain, who visits his room to announce her own departure for Mayene and attempts to seduce him by offering him a position in her court. Faile arrives and confronts Perrin about rumors of Whitecloaks, leading to a tense argument where Perrin insists on traveling alone via the Ways while Faile desperately tries to join him to protect their family. After Faile storms out, she encounters Berelain in the corridor, and the two women engage in a violent verbal and physical confrontation over Perrin until Rhuarc intervenes, breaking up the fight and punishing both women for disrupting the peace.

Characters

• Perrin / Aybara — Perrin prepares his saddlebags and changes clothes, reflecting on his bruised shoulder and his resolve to return to the Two Rivers despite knowing the danger. He is interrupted by Berelain, who flirts with him and offers him a job in Mayene, which he firmly declines. Later, he has a heated argument with Faile about her refusal to let him go alone, insisting he will travel via the Ways to save his people from the Whitecloaks before revealing his secret despair and intention to die fighting them. Afterward, Faile notices Berelain has invoked an Ogier's oath in her speech, leading her to realize the speaker would not break such a vow.
• Faile — Faile arrives at Perrin's room to discuss rumors of Whitecloaks and argues with him about his plan to leave alone, attempting to join him and listing necessary provisions for the journey. After storming out, she confronts Berelain in the hall, threatening her with violence to protect her claim on Perrin. She is pinned by Berelain until Rhuarc intervenes, resulting in Faile having her knives forfeited and her arm twisted.