Chapter 1 - An Empty Road

Description

A wind rises in the Mountains of Mist, following two men - Rand al’Thor and his father Tam - as they transport cider and brandy to Emond’s Field for the spring festival of Bel Tine. During their journey, Rand encounters a mysterious black-cloaked rider whose cloak remains unnaturally still despite the wind, filling him with an inexplicable sense of hatred and dread. Upon reaching the village, they discover preparations underway for the festival, including the raising of the Spring Pole, and learn that a gleeman has unexpectedly arrived. When Rand’s friend Mat Cauthon reveals he too has seen the dark rider, both boys grapple with whether to tell others about their unsettling encounter, ultimately keeping their fears to themselves as they help unload their cargo at the Winespring Inn.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Travels with his father to Emond's Field delivering cider and brandy, encounters a mysterious black-cloaked rider who fills him with dread, and discusses the encounter with Mat at the Winespring Inn.
  2. Tam al'Thor - Leads the cart with Bela to Emond's Field, dismisses Rand's sighting of the rider as imagination, and interacts with village leaders about festival preparations.
  3. Bela - Tam's horse who pulls the cart of supplies and knows the way to the inn.
  4. Wit Congar - Complains about Nynaeve being too young to be Wisdom until confronted by his wife Daise.
  5. Daise Congar - Confronts her husband Wit about meddling in Women's Circle business.
  6. Bran al'Vere, Brandelwyn al'Vere, Master al'Vere - Mayor and innkeeper who greets Tam and Rand, discusses festival preparations, and manages village matters.
  7. Cenn Buie - Village thatcher who spreads doom about the weather and criticizes the festival expenditures.
  8. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Tries to convince Rand to help with a prank involving a badger, shares his own encounter with the mysterious rider, and helps unload the cart.
  9. Nynaeve al'Meara - Though not directly present, is discussed by others regarding her role as Wisdom and her weather predictions.
  10. Egwene - Mentioned but not present, subject of Mat's teasing towards Rand.

Takeaways

  1. The wind carried an icy chill during what should have been spring, indicating unnatural weather patterns in the Two Rivers region.
  2. Rand and his father Tam encounter a mysterious black-cloaked rider whose cloak is unnaturally still in the wind, causing intense fear and hatred in Rand before vanishing mysteriously.
  3. Mat Cauthon reveals he also saw the black-cloaked rider, validating Rand's experience and suggesting this was not merely his imagination.
  4. The village of Emond's Field is preparing for the Bel Tine festival, with a gleeman and potential fireworks creating excitement among the villagers.
  5. The winter has been particularly harsh, with unusual wolf attacks, stillborn lambs, and concerns about crop failures suggesting something is wrong beyond normal seasonal patterns.