Chapter 45 - The Tinker’s Sword

Summary

Perrin manages the immediate aftermath of the Trolloc attack in Emond's Field, successfully integrating a fleeing Tuatha'an caravan into the village defenses and calming internal disputes over their welcome. He delegates local logistical tasks to trusted villagers, allowing the community to function without his constant oversight, before confronting Aram, a Tinker grandson who wishes to take up arms against the Shadow; Perrin arranges for Tam to teach the boy swordsmanship despite the objections of Aram's grandmother Ila. Tensions escalate with the arrival of Captain Dain Bornhald and Jaret Byar, who seek to arrest Perrin for betraying Bornhald's father at Falme and labeling him a Darkfriend; to prevent a massacre between the Whitecloaks and the Two Rivers folk, Perrin negotiates a truce allowing the Children of the Light to stay and defend the village in exchange for suspending the arrest until the Trolloc threat passes, while Lord Luc observes the maneuvering with amusement.

Characters

• Bran (Mayor) — Bran al'Vere helps organize the village defense and negotiates terms with the Whitecloaks, stipulating that no arrests will be made and that the Children of the Light must share in the defense without causing trouble.
• Bornhald / Dain (Captain, Captain of the Children of the Light) — Captain Dain Bornhald leads the Whitecloak column to Emond's Field, initially displaying intense hatred toward Perrin. He demands Perrin’s arrest as a Darkfriend, but after a tense standoff, negotiates a truce where the Children join the defense in exchange for suspending the arrest, before galloping back to his men.