Chapter 40 - The Web Tightens

Description

Through a fevered dream of Logain and Ba’alzamon, Rand awakens to find himself in the Queen’s garden after falling from the Palace wall, where he encounters Princess Elayne and Prince Gawyn. Despite their aid in tending his wounds, the situation quickly spirals as Galad reports his presence, leading to his capture by the Palace Guards. Brought before Queen Morgase, Rand faces intense scrutiny from the Aes Sedai advisor Elaida, who discovers his heron-marked sword and makes two disturbing Foretellings: one of pain and division for Andor, and another naming Rand as central to coming worldwide turmoil. Though Morgase ultimately grants him freedom, choosing justice over suspicion, Rand departs the Palace deeply shaken by Elaida’s words and Gawyn’s observation that he resembles an Aielman, fleeing through the streets of Caemlyn with the haunting weight of these revelations.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Experiences fevered dreams about Logain and Ba'alzamon, climbs palace wall to view false Dragon's procession, falls unconsciously after being startled by a mysterious voice.
  2. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Though not present in person, is mentioned as watching Logain to prevent him from touching the True Source.
  3. Master Hightower - Though not directly present, referenced in discussion about palace security.
  4. Basel Gill, Master Gill - Warns Rand about someone asking after him and his friends in the city, shares information about strange shapes outside the city, and advises caution.
  5. Loial, son of Arent son of Halan - Referenced in Mat's paranoid comments about Trollocs.
  6. Lamgwin - Guards the alley entrance of The Queen's Blessing while maintaining vigilant watch of the street.
  7. Logain - Appears as the captured false Dragon, maintains regal bearing despite imprisonment, and creates waves of silence among the crowd with his gaze.
  8. Mother Grubb - Mentioned as a local healer and fortune teller who might be able to help Mat.
  9. Elayne - Discovers Rand in the palace garden, tends to his wounds with skill and authority, and demonstrates both royal bearing and personal interest in him.
  10. Gawyn - Accompanies his sister Elayne, shows amusement at her commanding nature, and shares political insights about Two Rivers people.
  11. Galad - Discovers Rand with his siblings, shows suspicion of his presence, and attempts to alert the palace guards.
  12. Morgase - Questions Rand about his sword and origins, weighs evidence and counsel carefully, and ultimately chooses justice over suspicion in granting him freedom.
  13. Gareth Bryne - Stands protectively by the Queen, offers measured counsel about Rand's situation, and demonstrates expertise in judging warriors.
  14. Elaida - Questions Rand's Two Rivers origins, delivers ominous Foretellings about him and Andor's future, and shows keen interest in studying him further.
  15. Tallanvor - Leads palace guards in arresting Rand, shows strict adherence to protocol, and escorts him from the palace with evident suspicion.
  16. Palace Guards - Respond to Galad's alert, surround Rand with weapons drawn, and maintain vigilant watch throughout his audience with the Queen.

Takeaways

  1. Rand is brought before Queen Morgase after being caught in the Palace gardens, where Elaida (an Aes Sedai) makes a dire Foretelling about him standing at the heart of coming pain and division.
  2. Elaida notices Rand's physical features don't match typical Two Rivers people and draws attention to his heron-marked sword, causing immediate suspicion.
  3. Despite Elaida's warnings and suspicions, Queen Morgase chooses justice over fear and releases Rand, though she warns him never to return to the Palace grounds.
  4. Gawyn tells Rand he looks like an Aielman, leaving Rand deeply troubled by this revelation about his appearance.
  5. Young Princess Elayne shows particular interest in Rand, even calling him handsome, suggesting a potential romantic connection.
  6. The Queen's choice to free Rand despite Elaida's warnings demonstrates growing political tension between justice and paranoia in Andor.