Chapter 26 - In So Habor

Summary

Perrin’s expedition arrives at the heavily fortified but eerily deserted town of So Habor to purchase grain for his camp. The streets are filthy and silent, filled with gaunt, terrified locals who avoid contact. After being directed to the Golden Barge inn, they meet the local merchant guild, led by Rahema Arnon, who reluctantly agree to sell supplies despite their obvious fear. When Perrin inspects a warehouse, he discovers the grain is completely infested with weevils that should not survive the freezing winter. Outside, Kireyin and Seonid witness a dead man walking through a solid wall. Seonid reveals that So Habor is haunted by walking corpses, causing mass panic and deaths from fright, and that Lord Cowlin has fled. Realizing the town is afflicted by something far worse than mere spirits, Perrin orders his group to leave immediately without staying behind to help.

Characters

• Neald — Remains behind briefly to hold the gateway open before galloping to catch up with the group, expressing relief at seeing people on the town walls.
• Kireyin — Rides with the expedition while complaining about the stench and his relegated position among the Warders, later freezing in terror after witnessing a dead man walk through a solid wall.
• Perrin / Perrin t'Bashere Aybara (Lord of the Two Rivers) — Leads the group to So Habor, inspects the grain and discovers it is completely infested with weevils that should not survive the freezing winter, ultimately deciding the town must face its supernatural affliction alone.
• Berelain / Berelain sur Paendrag Paeron (First of Mayene, Blessed of the Light, Defender of the Waves, High Seat of House Paeron, Lady Berelain) — Negotiates with the terrified merchants, insists on inspecting the warehouse, and cuts off their attempt to winnow the weevil-infested grain before ordering the group to depart.
• Gallenne — Leads the approach to the town gates, delivers formal introductions of the party's titles, and stands ready with his sword while observing the filthy inn.
• Seonid — Accompanies the group into So Habor, witnesses a dead man walking through a wall, and explains that the town is plagued by walking corpses causing mass panic and deaths from fright.
• Masuri — Rides with the expedition and waits outside the Golden Barge inn while Annoura and Berelain enter to negotiate with the merchants.
• Annoura — Enters the inn with Berelain, uses her calm demeanor to freeze the terrified merchants into submission, and observes their deteriorating mental state closely.
• Balwer — Trails at the rear of the procession, bows obsequiously when noticed, and later pulls Medore and Latian into a side street to observe the town's strange atmosphere.
• Medore — Accompanies Balwer under the guise of an outing, looks ill from the town's stench, and follows him into a narrow street to watch So Habor.
• Latian — Joins Balwer's group pretending to have a cold, appears sickened by the environment, and follows Balwer into a side street to observe the proceedings.
• Tod al'Caar — Serves as a horse holder at the Golden Barge, distractedly watching the dirty townsfolk while fondling his sword hilt instead of tending to the animals properly.
• Flann / Flann Barstere — Looks wild-eyed and anxious about leaving So Habor, attempts a placating smile at Annoura before she walks away, and helps hold the horses.
• Rahema Arnon (Mistress Arnon) — Leads the terrified local merchants, reluctantly agrees to sell supplies despite their obvious fear, and breaks down in tears when Perrin declares So Habor must face its dead alone.
• Mycal — Jumps up in fear when the group enters the inn, tugs at his food-stained coat, and nervously calls for samples to be brought out.
• Vadere (Mistress Vadere) — Brings wine to the merchants' table with dirt-embedded hands, stares blankly at Kireyin's complaints, and fetches a pitcher without speaking.
• Crossin (Master Crossin) — Displays hulled grain samples, claims they sell only the finest quality, and nervously opens warehouse doors after being ordered to do so.
• Stayer — Allows Perrin to mount and follow Gallenne through the gates, snaps at a filthy man who pokes him, and nearly loses fingers when Tod al'Caar handles his reins.
• Lord Cowlin — Flees the town in terror over fears regarding his wife's spirit and the walking dead, leaving the populace to face their supernatural affliction alone.