Chapter 24 - Flight Down the Arinelle

Description

In a maze-like dreamscape, Rand flees from Ba’alzamon through ever-shifting environments - from polished stone bridges to a thorn hedge maze to endless mirrors - each transformation triggered by his realization that he is dreaming. Upon waking aboard the Spray, he discovers a thorn prick from his dream has manifested in reality. As the boat makes its slow journey down the Arinelle River, the crew grows restless with Captain Domon’s relentless pace and refusal to stop, while Thom distracts them with stories and teaches Rand and Mat gleeman’s skills to maintain their cover story. Along the way, they pass wondrous ancient artifacts, including towering royal statues and a mysterious metal tower, though Mat shows an unsettling obsession with treasure and reveals he took a jeweled dagger from Shadar Logoth. The chapter culminates with Rand experiencing a strange episode where he fearlessly climbs and performs atop the ship’s mast, only to be horrified by his own actions afterward, leaving him increasingly worried about his sanity and desperate to reach Tar Valon.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Experiences multiple vivid dreams of being pursued by Ba'alzamon through various dreamscapes including a stone maze and thorn hedge, discovers a bleeding wound from his dream upon waking, and contemplates the increasingly blurred line between dreams and reality while aboard the Spray.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Briefly mentioned in context of Rand checking his wound upon waking.
  3. Ba'alzamon - Pursues Rand through multiple dreamscapes, threatens him with dominion over his soul, and attempts to convince Rand they share the same face.
  4. Captain Bayle Domon - Commands the Spray with strict discipline, drives his crew hard while refusing to stop, and uses discovered Trolloc weapons to maintain crew compliance.
  5. Gelb - Maintains hostile silence and murderous glances toward Rand, Mat, and Thom while performing menial tasks aboard the Spray.
  6. Thom Merrilin, Master Merrilin - Stays clear of mutinous crew gatherings, maintains morale through entertainment, and gives lessons to Rand and Mat to support their cover as apprentice gleemen.
  7. crew - Show increasing discontent with Captain Domon's relentless pace, mutter about stopping to rest, and are temporarily pacified by displays of Trolloc weapons.

Takeaways

  1. Rand experiences another vivid nightmare where Ba'alzamon pursues him through various dreamscapes, ending with their faces merging in mirrors.
  2. Rand discovers a wound from his dream manifested in reality - a thorn prick that drew blood.
  3. Mat reveals he took a golden, ruby-hilted dagger from Shadar Logoth despite warnings about items from that city, and makes Rand promise to keep it secret.
  4. Rand displays uncharacteristic fearlessness and agility by climbing and performing stunts atop the ship's mast, followed by confusion and fear about his changing behavior.
  5. Mat exhibits increasingly suspicious and secretive behavior, admitting to having more troubling dreams but refusing to discuss them.
  6. The ship's crew grows restless about their continued flight downstream, though Captain Domon keeps them in line by reminding them of the Trolloc attack.