Chapter 7 - Out of the Woods

Description

After a grueling night journey through the woods with his wounded father, Rand arrives in Emond’s Field to find much of the village destroyed by Trollocs, though the villagers are already showing resilience in beginning to rebuild. When the Wisdom Nynaeve says she cannot heal Tam’s mysterious fever, a desperate Rand takes him to the Winespring Inn, hoping Mayor al’Vere can help. There, Rand learns that Moiraine is actually an Aes Sedai who, along with her Warder Lan, helped defend the village from the Trolloc attack. Despite his misgivings about the stories of Aes Sedai, Rand seeks out Moiraine at the burning grounds where villagers are disposing of Trolloc corpses, and pleads with her to heal his father, offering to pay any price for her help. Though tired from her previous night’s efforts, Moiraine agrees to try, though she makes no promises about her ability to save Tam.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Exhaustedly carries his wounded father to Emond's Field, discovers the village partially destroyed by Trollocs, seeks help from Nynaeve who cannot heal Tam, then desperately turns to Moiraine after learning she is an Aes Sedai.
  2. Tam al'Thor - Lies unconscious and feverish from his Trolloc wound throughout the chapter.
  3. Bran al'Vere, Brandelwyn al'Vere, Master al'Vere - Acting as Mayor during crisis, helps with Tam's care, reveals Moiraine's true identity as Aes Sedai, and suggests her as potential help for Tam.
  4. Nynaeve al'Meara - Examines Tam but declares she cannot help him, then continues tending to other wounded villagers.
  5. Egwene - Assists Nynaeve with the wounded, briefly comforts Rand, and helps tend to victims of the Trolloc attack.
  6. Haral Luhhan, Master Luhhan, Mistress Luhhan - Discovers Rand and Tam upon their arrival, helps carry the litter, and explains some of the night's events.
  7. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Revealed as an Aes Sedai who helped defend the village, discusses Trolloc bands with Lan, and agrees to attempt healing Tam.
  8. Lan, Elyas Machera - Assists Moiraine with examining Trolloc bodies, identifies their tribal markings, and shows protective concern for Moiraine's wellbeing.
  9. Thom Merrilin, Master Merrilin - Helps carry Tam's litter, provides commentary about Aes Sedai, and encourages Rand to seek Moiraine's help despite potential risks.
  10. Alsbet Luhhan - Mentioned as having fought Trollocs with a frying pan and now hunting for survivors with a forge hammer.
  11. Darl Coplin - Mentioned as having demanded Moiraine and Lan's expulsion from the village during the attack.
  12. Mistress Calder - Takes in wounded villagers at her house.
  13. Berin Thane - Mentioned as having lost his house to the Trolloc attack.
  14. Abell Cauthon - Mentioned as having lost his house to the Trolloc attack.

Takeaways

  1. Nynaeve, the Wisdom, is unable to help heal Tam's wound, saying it's beyond her abilities and he will die.
  2. Emond's Field has been severely damaged by the Trolloc attack, with many houses burned and villagers injured, though they are already beginning to rebuild.
  3. Moiraine is revealed to be an Aes Sedai who, along with her Warder Lan, helped defend the village from Trollocs using magical abilities.
  4. Rand seeks out Moiraine's help to heal Tam, despite his reservations about Aes Sedai, and she agrees to try, though makes no promises.
  5. The Trolloc attack was unusually large, involving seven different Trolloc bands working together, which Moiraine notes hasn't happened since the Trolloc Wars.