Chapter 46 - Fal Dara

Description

In Lord Agelmar’s fortress at Fal Dara, a tense series of events unfolds as the companions arrive in this Borderland city preparing for war with Trollocs. After being welcomed by Agelmar, who desperately wants Lan and Moiraine’s help in the coming battle at Tarwin’s Gap, they must refuse his pleas to stay and fight, explaining their urgent need to reach the Eye of the World instead. The situation grows more complex when a filthy prisoner is brought before them - Padan Fain, who shifts between personalities, at times a whimpering wretch claiming the Dark One made him hunt them, and at others an arrogant advisor offering to help Agelmar defeat the Shadow. His disturbing behavior and clear connection to their party leads Moiraine to recognize him as something far more dangerous than a simple peddler, prompting her to arrange an immediate private interrogation despite his frightening transformations.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Shows apprehension about entering the Ways, experiences vertigo from endless drops, and comforts Egwene while wrestling with growing fears about their safety.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Shows increasing fear about their situation, stays close to Rand out of anxiety, and questions the safety of their path.
  3. Nynaeve al'Meara - Questions Moiraine about their path, shows skepticism about their safety, and comforts Egwene during tense moments.
  4. Egwene - Presses close to Rand during moments of terror and follows group instructions while traversing the Ways.
  5. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Creates protective magic, guides the group through difficult passages, and demonstrates expertise in handling magical dangers while conserving her strength.
  6. Lan, Elyas Machera - Takes lead position with Moiraine, maintains vigilance throughout journey, and provides tactical support during their entry into the Ways.
  7. Perrin Aybara - Acts strangely enough to worry Mat, maintains position in line, and follows group into the Ways.
  8. Loial, son of Arent son of Halan - Guides the group through the Ways, translates Ogier script on the Guidings, and expresses deep concern about the dangers while sharing historical knowledge.
  9. Gilda - Serves as cook at the inn and straightens up when the party passes through kitchen.
  10. Ramey - Operates hidden latches in stable, confirms path is clear, and helps prepare for group's departure.
  11. stablemen - Help clear tools and operate hidden mechanisms to reveal the Waygate.

Takeaways

  1. The party arrives at Fal Dara, a fortified border city preparing for an imminent Trolloc invasion that greatly outnumbers their forces.
  2. Agelmar reveals the situation is dire enough that civilians are being evacuated to Fal Moran, as the Trollocs have been raiding throughout winter and gathering in unprecedented numbers.
  3. Despite Agelmar's desperate pleas for help, Moiraine refuses to stay and assist in the coming battle, insisting their true fight lies at the Eye of the World in the Blight.
  4. The guards capture Padan Fain trying to scale the city walls, and he displays dramatically different personalities - alternating between a whimpering wretch and an arrogant advisor - before Moiraine identifies him as something extremely dangerous.
  5. Moiraine uses Loial's presence and the fact that some in their group are ta'veren to convince Agelmar they can find the Eye of the World, revealing she has been there before.