Chapter 2 - Strangers

Description

The chapter follows Rand, Mat, and young Ewin as they encounter mysterious newcomers to Emond’s Field. After delivering barrels to the inn’s cellar, they learn of two strangers staying at the inn: a noble lady named Moiraine and her companion Lan, whose presence causes much excitement. Moiraine, dressed in rich blue velvet with gold ornaments, meets the boys and gives each a silver penny, binding them to assist her with future tasks. Her mysterious words about the Wheel of Time and her interest in the area’s history leave the boys puzzled. Meanwhile, the Village Council meets in secretive discussion, and a peculiar incident with an unnaturally behaving raven adds to the day’s strangeness. The chapter ends with the arrival of a peddler’s wagon, adding to the mounting excitement before the Bel Tine festival.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Helps carry barrels in the inn, discusses strangers with Mat and Ewin, encounters Moiraine, and receives a mysterious silver coin.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Reveals his prank on Master Luhhan's dogs, helps with deliveries, encounters Moiraine, and decides to keep her silver coin as something special.
  3. Bran al'Vere, Brandelwyn al'Vere, Master al'Vere - Serves ale in his inn and leads a private Village Council meeting.
  4. Cenn Buie - Participates in the Village Council meeting at the inn.
  5. Scratch - The inn's yellow cat that sits atop the ale casks.
  6. Haral Luhhan, Master Luhhan, Mistress Luhhan - The village blacksmith who gives Mat suspicious looks due to his prank.
  7. Jon Thane - The miller who attends the Village Council meeting.
  8. Mistress al'Vere - Provides bread and hospitality to the young men, displaying motherly kindness.
  9. Ewin Finngar - Young boy who excitedly shares news about the strangers and receives a silver penny from Moiraine.
  10. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Mysterious noble lady who gives silver coins to the boys, discusses ravens, and speaks cryptically about the Wheel of Time.
  11. Lan, Elyas Machera - Moiraine's stern warrior companion who follows her with wolf-like movements and gives the boys an assessing look.
  12. Hu - Mentioned as one of the inn's stablemen.
  13. Tad - Mentioned as one of the inn's stablemen.
  14. Rowan Hum - Joins the Village Council meeting.
  15. Samel Crawe - Joins the Village Council meeting.

Takeaways

  1. A mysterious woman named Moiraine and her warrior-like companion Lan have arrived in Emond's Field, highly unusual as outsiders rarely visit the Two Rivers.
  2. Moiraine gives Rand, Mat, and Ewin each a valuable silver penny and says there is now a "bond" between them, requesting they perform future tasks for her.
  3. A raven watches Rand and Mat, displaying unnaturally intelligent behavior by dodging their thrown stones, and Moiraine comments that ravens are vile birds that cannot be trusted.
  4. The Village Council is having a secretive meeting about some matter of concern, continuing the atmosphere of worry established in previous scenes.
  5. A traveling peddler arrives in the village, adding to the unusual number of visitors during the festival season.