Chapter 47 - More Tales of the Wheel

Description

In a tense gathering at Fal Dara, the true nature of Padan Fain’s connection to the Dark One is revealed through Moiraine’s interrogation. After cleansing her hands of the encounter, she shares the disturbing details of how Fain was transformed into the Dark One’s hound, sent to hunt the three young men for three years before being further twisted at Shayol Ghul. His pursuit of them through the Ways and his strange immunity to the Black Wind underscores the Dark One’s growing power, as does Ba’alzamon’s increasing ability to manifest in the physical world. When Lord Agelmar attempts to protect the young men by offering experienced replacements for their journey to the Eye of the World, Moiraine reveals their nature as ta’veren and their connection to the blood of ancient Manetheren, insisting that they are essential to the coming battle, though time grows perilously short.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Paces restlessly in dining room, worries about Fain's interrogation, and questions what secrets the peddler might know about their situation.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Slouches in chair with nervous grin while unconsciously touching the Shadar Logoth dagger.
  3. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Returns from interrogating Fain, reveals the Dark One's growing power through his control over dreams and Darkfriends, and insists on immediate departure despite Agelmar's protests.
  4. Lan, Elyas Machera - Returns with news of Trollocs in city, discusses tactical implications with Agelmar, and maintains vigilant watch throughout meeting.
  5. Perrin Aybara - Pushes bread crumbs around table while staring distantly with his yellow eyes.
  6. Loial, son of Arent son of Halan - Studies the stone walls with intense interest, traces joins with his fingers, and mutters to himself in Ogier while appearing oblivious to others.
  7. Egwene - Listens to Agelmar's stories and shows genuine interest through occasional giggles.
  8. Nynaeve al'Meara - Shows interest in Lan's true identity while avoiding direct eye contact with him, and studies her cup intently during revelations about his past.
  9. Lord Agelmar - Hosts the group in his fortress, shares the tragic history of Lan's heritage as the uncrowned king of Malkier, and attempts to convince Moiraine to leave the young men behind.
  10. King al'Akir - Though deceased, his story is told as the last crowned king of Malkier who died defending his nation.
  11. Queen el'Leanna - Though deceased, is described as preparing her infant son's escape and dying alongside her husband defending Malkier.
  12. Lain Mandragoran - Though deceased, is described as al'Akir's brother who led an ill-fated expedition to the Blasted Lands.
  13. Breyan - Though deceased, is described as Lain's jealous wife who plotted against al'Akir and fled with her son Isam.
  14. Cowin Gemallan - Though deceased, is described as a traitorous Great Lord and Darkfriend who betrayed Malkier.
  15. Jain Charin - Mentioned as capturing the traitor Cowin Fairheart.
  16. Padan Fain - Undergoes interrogation by Moiraine, reveals his transformation by the Dark One, and demonstrates both madness and dangerous knowledge.

Takeaways

  1. The group learns that Padan Fain was transformed by the Dark One at Shayol Ghul three years ago into a supernatural tracker to hunt Rand, Mat, and Perrin.
  2. Moiraine reveals that Ba'alzamon's ability to physically manifest, even briefly, indicates the seals on Shayol Ghul are dangerously weakening.
  3. Lord Agelmar discovers the young men are ta'veren and learns of their Manetheren bloodline, which Moiraine suggests makes them capable of confronting the Dark One at the Eye of the World.
  4. Moiraine insists they must leave immediately for the Eye of the World despite Agelmar's protests to leave the young men behind, as time grows desperately short.
  5. The Black Wind in the Ways recognized and feared Fain, suggesting he has been transformed into something uniquely evil by the Dark One's touch.