Chapter 9 - Tellings of the Wheel

Description

A fevered dream plagues Rand as he sleeps beside his father’s sickbed at the Winespring Inn, featuring a barren landscape, a black mountain that pulls at his soul, and a mysterious city that offers false sanctuary. Upon waking, he finds Tam recovering from Moiraine’s healing, and they share a bittersweet farewell as Rand prepares to leave that night. Meanwhile, a crowd of villagers, led by the Coplins and Cenn Buie, confronts Moiraine outside the inn, demanding she leave Emond’s Field. The Aes Sedai responds by telling the tale of Manetheren, revealing the Two Rivers folk’s forgotten heritage of courage and sacrifice, shaming the mob into dispersing and leaving her in peace, just as Lan urgently summons Rand and Mat to depart.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Experiences vivid nightmares of desolate lands and mysterious cities, struggles with supernatural forces trying to control him, and witnesses Moiraine's tale of Manetheren.
  2. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Confronts angry villagers, defuses a tense situation with displays of power, and delivers a passionate historical account of Manetheren's last stand to shame those who would drive her away.
  3. Lan, Elyas Machera - Urges Rand and Mat to hurry due to potential trouble, leads them through the inn wearing scale armor, and maintains vigilance throughout.
  4. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Accompanies Rand and Lan while carrying his bow and quiver, shows anxiety about the situation, and follows them through the inn.
  5. Bran al'Vere, Brandelwyn al'Vere, Master al'Vere - Confronts angry villagers with his wooden maul, defends Moiraine's presence, and helps disperse the hostile crowd.
  6. Haral Luhhan, Master Luhhan, Mistress Luhhan - Stands with Bran against the angry mob and intimidates Hari Coplin with his presence.
  7. Cenn Buie - Reluctantly joins the mob against Moiraine, expresses concerns about Aes Sedai bringing trouble, and shamefully admits to being helped by her.
  8. Hari Coplin - Leads the mob against Moiraine, threatens to burn her out, and backs down when confronted by Bran and Haral.
  9. Darl - Supports his brother Hari in threatening Moiraine and quickly backs down when confronted.
  10. Bili Congar - Joins in threatening Moiraine but quickly abandons his cousins when confronted.
  11. Paet al'Caar - First to apologize to Moiraine, acknowledging her healing of his son Wil, and leads others in backing down from confrontation.
  12. Eward Candwin - Mentioned as being healed by Moiraine from a serious back wound.

Takeaways

  1. Moiraine tells the history of Manetheren to a hostile crowd, revealing that Emond's Field was once the site of the ancient city's last stand against Trollocs and Darkfriends.
  2. The villagers, led by the Coplins and Cenn Buie, initially threaten to drive Moiraine out of the village, but are confronted by Bran al'Vere and Haral Luhhan who defend her presence.
  3. Moiraine's tale of Manetheren's courage and sacrifice deeply moves the villagers, transforming their hostility into shame and acceptance of her presence.
  4. Tam urges Rand to be wary of Aes Sedai, warning him that their words may not mean what they seem to mean.
  5. Rand and Mat prepare to leave the village secretly at night with Lan and Moiraine due to some unspecified trouble.