Chapter 23 - Wolfbrother

Description

In a forest clearing, Perrin and Egwene encounter Elyas Machera, a wild-looking man with yellow eyes who lives among wolves and can communicate with them. After sharing a meal of rabbit, Elyas exposes their fabricated story about being from Saldaea, as his wolf companions can sense their connection to Trollocs and Myrddraal. Forced to reveal their true tale of fleeing the Two Rivers, they learn that they have been traveling in the wrong direction for Caemlyn. Elyas offers them sanctuary with his pack, particularly interested in Perrin, whom he claims also has the ability to talk to wolves - an ancient gift unrelated to the One Power. Despite Perrin’s adamant denial of this ability and discomfort with his growing awareness of the wolves, he and Egwene decide to continue their journey to Caemlyn with Elyas and his pack as guides, though this decision causes several wolves, led by the battle-scarred Burn, to break away from the group in pursuit of Trollocs.

Characters

  1. Perrin Aybara - Takes leadership role despite doubts, devises plan to travel to Caemlyn, and struggles with newfound wolf-related abilities while managing Egwene's expectations about their journey.
  2. Egwene - Insists on sharing riding duties with Perrin, helps gather food, and supports his leadership while maintaining her own strong opinions.
  3. Bela - Serves as their shared mount, showing signs of strain under Perrin's weight.
  4. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Mentioned in discussion about their destination and meeting point.
  5. Lan, Elyas Machera - Reveals himself as a man who can talk to wolves, offers shelter to the group, and demonstrates his connection with the wolf pack while explaining their nature.
  6. Dapple - Leads the wolf pack, communicates with Elyas about the travelers, and supports taking in the group despite Burn's objections.
  7. Burn - Challenges Dapple's leadership over helping the humans, shows hatred for Trollocs due to past injuries, and ultimately leaves the pack with other young males.
  8. Hopper - Observes the group and seems to grin at Perrin.
  9. Wind - Present as one of the four wolves around the fire.

Takeaways

  1. The group meets Elyas Machera, a man with yellow eyes who can communicate with wolves and lives among them, marking the first appearance of someone with special abilities beyond the One Power.
  2. Elyas reveals that Perrin also possesses the ability to talk to wolves, though Perrin strongly denies and fears this connection.
  3. Elyas exposes their cover story as lies through the wolves' ability to sense Trollocs and Myrddraal in their memories, forcing them to tell him their true story of fleeing from the Two Rivers.
  4. Elyas offers them safe passage with his wolf pack to Caemlyn, revealing his distrust of Aes Sedai who once tried to gentle him, but some wolves, led by the scarred wolf Burn, leave the pack in disagreement.
  5. Perrin unwillingly begins to sense the wolves' thoughts and emotions, confirming Elyas's claims about his ability despite his resistance to accept it.