Chapter 38 - Rescue

Description

In the dead of night, Perrin and Egwene’s captivity under the Whitecloaks comes to an abrupt end when Lan orchestrates a daring rescue, aided by Moiraine’s lightning storm that throws the camp into chaos. After their escape, they reunite with Nynaeve, who had recovered Bela and another horse during the confusion. As they make camp, Nynaeve discovers Perrin’s yellow eyes, prompting Moiraine to make cryptic comments about the Pattern’s weaving. Later, in a private conversation with Lan, Perrin learns that his ability to communicate with wolves, while not inherently evil, might be significant given the weakening barriers between ages and the Dark One’s growing influence. The chapter ends with Lan warning about the urgency of finding Rand and Mat in Caemlyn before the Shadow’s touch grows too strong, suggesting that time may be running out for them all.

Characters

  1. Nynaeve al'Meara - Guards horses during rescue operation, sneaks into Whitecloak camp to cut picket lines, and manages to rescue Bela while narrowly avoiding being trampled.
  2. Perrin Aybara - Endures painful bonds and brutal treatment from Whitecloaks, communicates telepathically with wolf Dapple about future meetings, and struggles with revelations about his wolf-related abilities.
  3. Egwene - Sleeps exhaustedly near Perrin, faces potential questioning by Questioners, and follows rescue party's instructions.
  4. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Creates powerful lightning storm as a diversion, demonstrates exhaustion from channeling, and successfully orchestrates rescue of captured companions.
  5. Lan, Elyas Machera - Plans and executes rescue operation, demonstrates exceptional combat skills against Whitecloak guards, and maintains tactical awareness throughout mission.
  6. Child Byar - Attempts to manipulate Perrin with false escape opportunity, reveals Lord Captain's dilemma about reaching Caemlyn, and falls unconscious to Lan's swift attack.
  7. Lord Bornhald, Lord Captain Bornhald, Lord Captain Geofram Bornhald - Though not directly present in scene, referenced as being caught between conflicting duties regarding prisoners and reaching Caemlyn.
  8. Dapple - Communicates telepathically with Perrin about future meetings and shares cryptic messages about what is to come.
  9. Whitecloak guards - Patrol camp perimeter, exchange formal greetings, and are overcome during rescue operation.
  10. wolves - Appear as gray shadows during chaos and attack horses to create additional confusion.

Takeaways

  1. Perrin and Egwene are rescued from the Whitecloaks by Lan and Moiraine, who create a lightning storm as a diversion to help them escape.
  2. Moiraine reveals that Rand and Mat are believed to be in Caemlyn, and finding them quickly is crucial as they lack an Aes Sedai's protection from the Dark One's influence.
  3. Perrin learns that Moiraine knows about his ability to communicate with wolves, and she is uncertain whether this power comes from the Light or the Shadow.
  4. Lan reveals that Elyas Machera was once a Warder before something happened involving the Red Ajah, confirming that the wolf-brother ability is ancient rather than inherently evil.
  5. The Warder warns that the barriers between past, present, and future are weakening, including the walls of the Dark One's prison, suggesting they may be witnessing the end of an Age.