Chapter 25 - When to Wear Jewels

Summary

Perrin paces his lavishly appointed tent, frustrated by the delay in capturing Shaido prisoners and missing Faile, while counting thirty-two knots on a rawhide cord she gave him. Berelain arrives dressed in fine silks and a crown, advises him to rest before they ride out with a large escort of Mayeners, Ghealdanin, Two Rivers men, and Aes Sedai Masuri and Seonid. Arganda brings gold from the Queen's strongbox, and Balwer joins with Medore and Latian as ostensibly casual companions but actually for spying on their allies. After Neald opens a gateway to So Habor, the group travels through eerily empty farm country until they spot a Seanchan rider mounted on a flying creature soaring northward.

Characters

• Perrin — Paces his tent in fine clothes, counts thirty-two knots on a rawhide cord tied to Faile, and prepares to ride to So Habor while worrying about Arganda's recklessness and the dwindling camp supplies.
• Berelain (First of Mayene) — Arrives in a silk riding dress and golden crown, advises Perrin to rest, joins the expedition, and uses a merchant metaphor to justify wearing jewels to intimidate potential threats.
• Arganda — Brings gold from the Queen's strongbox, appears exhausted and sour, rides with Ghealdanin lancers under Kireyin, and seems increasingly desperate to die or act recklessly near the Shaido.
• Dannil — Brings Perrin's horse Stayer, agrees to monitor Arganda but admits his authority will be ignored once they leave sight, and notes the overwhelming ratio of Ghealdanin to Two Rivers men.
• Gallenne — Spreads his Winged Guards in a protective ring around Berelain and Perrin, barks orders to stiffen the troops, and brings Mayene's banner despite Perrin's reservations about his caution.
• Annoura — Rides up on a dark mare with thin braids, barely acknowledges her advisory role, and peers fixedly at the Aiel tents while waiting for departure.
• Masuri — Arrives late with Seonid and their Warders, wears shimmering silk and heavy gold necklaces, and waits for the sun to rise before joining the expedition.
• Seonid — Rides alongside Masuri in a dark cloak, wears a white jewel on her forehead, and waits with the Aes Sedai contingent before traveling to So Habor.
• Balwer (Master Balwer) — Claims an acquaintance in So Habor to justify bringing Medore and Latian along, uses them to spy on Mayeners and Ghealdanin, and maintains a musty, amused demeanor while acknowledging Berelain's awareness of his schemes.
• Medore — Daughter of a High Lord wearing ill-fitting men's clothing, accompanies Balwer as a companion to eavesdrop on the allied forces.
• Latian — Pale Cairhienin man in a slashed coat who sniffles from a cold, joins Balwer's group under the guise of an outing to gather intelligence.
• Neald / Pager Neald — Asha'man with waxed mustaches who cheerfully opens a gateway to So Habor despite Perrin's suspicion that he may have miscalculated the distance.
• Wil al'Seen — Leads the Twenty Rivers men on horseback, gives an innocent look to Perrin, and rides ahead carrying one of the expedition's banners.
• Tod al'Caar — Carries Perrin's Red Wolf-head banner with a stubborn jaw set, looking sullen about his assigned duty.
• Flann Barstere — Carries Manetheren's Red Eagle banner while looking sullen and tall, having likely not wanted the assignment.
• Kireyin — Lean Ghealdanin commander who bends to speak with Arganda, leads the Ghealdanin lancers, and carries the Silver Stars banner.
• Aram — Stays behind due to his increasingly touchy and confrontational behavior, scowls at the Mayeners and Ghealdanin, and bumps into Two Rivers men without apologizing.
• Stayer — Perrin's bay stallion who frisks before settling under a firm hand as Perrin mounts for the expedition.