Chapter 26 - As If the World Were Fog

Summary

Tuon rides with Mat’s traveling troupe and the Band of the Red Hand, eavesdropping on military discussions about crossbow cranks and Seanchan troop movements while Thom Merrilin explains the nature of ta'veren to her. Upon reaching the Band’s camp, soldiers greet Mat as "Jak o' the Shadows," and young nobles Talmanes, Edorion, Reimon, and Carlomin confirm his authority despite his commoner origins. Meanwhile, Perrin oversees the poisoning of Maiden’s aqueduct with forkroot, sending Seonid, Elyas, Tallanvor, and Gaul into the water channel before returning to camp via gateway. There, he learns from Tylee Khirgan that Galad Damodred has led seven thousand Whitecloaks northward after breaking from the Seanchan, and that two Aiel armies are marching on Maiden in three days. As news settles, reality itself ripples like fog around Perrin and Berelain. In the Shaido camp, Faile endures daily humiliations and deflects Rolan’s advances before confronting a desperate Galina, who promises to smuggle her out of Maiden tomorrow morning if she produces the white rod.

Characters

• Tuon (Daughter of the Nine Moons, marath'damane) — Eavesdrops on Mat’s military discussions and learns about ta'veren from Thom, gradually recognizing his strategic mind beneath his buffoonish exterior.
• Mat / Toy (Lord Mat, Jak o' the Shadows) — Commands the Band of the Red Hand with unexpected authority, planning a large-scale battle rather than a simple escape while soldiers rally to his call.
• Talmanes — Reunites with Mat and confirms the young nobles' loyalty, clarifying that Mat is "lord enough" for them despite lacking noble birth.
• Selucia (Shadow) — Monitors Mat’s interactions closely, using hand signals to question Tuon about the Band while maintaining her protective vigilance.
• Thom / Master Merrilin — Explains the concept of ta'veren to Tuon and observes Mat’s growing influence with a knowing smile.
• Aludra — Rides alongside the group, her wooden expression masking her satisfaction as she watches Toy’s transformation into a military leader.
• Edorion — One of the young nobles who eagerly greets Mat and confirms his unwavering loyalty to the Band's commander.
• Reimon — Broad-shouldered noble who laughs at everything, enthusiastically endorsing Mat’s plan for a full-scale war against the Seanchan.
• Carlomin — Tall, slender noble who notes Mat’s general dislike of nobility but considers himself honored to serve him.
• Roidelle / Master Roidelle (mapmaker) — Presents detailed maps of Altara and Seanchan positions to Mat, enabling the commander to plot his next military moves.
• Perrin / Perrin Aybara (Lord Perrin, Young Bull) — Oversees the poisoning of Maiden’s water supply and returns to camp to learn of Galad Damodred’s Whitecloak defection and approaching Aiel armies.
• Mishima (Captain) — Assists in the aqueduct operation and observes Perrin’s glowing eyes with wary respect before departing for his own camp.
• Gaul — Enters the aqueduct to scout, revealing through Aiel custom that he intends to claim Chiad as his wife after her gai'shain year ends.
• Sulin — Confirms the windmills are deserted and reports undisturbed dust, validating Perrin’s assessment of the aqueduct route.
• Seonid (Aes Sedai) — Leads her Warders into the cold aqueduct water to ensure the forkroot reaches Maiden’s cistern without detection.
• Furen (Warder) — Follows Seonid into the aqueduct, his hand resting on his sword hilt as he navigates the tight channel alongside Teryl and Rovair.
• Teryl (Warder) — Helps lift Seonid into the aqueduct and follows her through the narrow waterway to support the Aes Sedai.
• Rovair / Rovair Kirklin — Compact man who enters the aqueduct with his Warder companions, visibly uneasy about working alongside Seanchan soldiers.
• Elyas — Jokes about the cold water before slipping into the aqueduct to help secure the poison's delivery to the town.
• Tallanvor — Enters the aqueduct with eagerness and caution, promising no heroics as he seeks to reach Maighdin sooner.
• Ban / Ban al'Seen (commander) — Receives instructions from Perrin to wedge fortress doors shut and prepare to guide the rescued gai'shain back up the aqueduct slope.
• Tod al'Caar — Two Rivers man with a lantern jaw who shakes hands with Perrin before climbing into the aqueduct.
• Leof Torfinn — Two Rivers man with a white streak in his hair from a Trolloc scar, present among the volunteers entering Maiden.
• Kenly Maerin — Young Two Rivers man attempting to grow a beard again, part of the group preparing for the infiltration.
• Bili / Bili Adarra — Distant cousin of Perrin who stands wide and tall among the volunteers, shaking hands before entering the water channel.
• Had al'Lora — Lean Two Rivers man with thick mustaches who is the last of his group to climb into the aqueduct.
• Grady (Asha'man) — Channels a gateway for Perrin’s return, visibly exhausted from recent Traveling but reaffirming his readiness for the coming days' demands.
• Berelain — Entertains Tylee and Annoura in Perrin’s tent, her scent of patience and resolve masking any lingering romantic tension with her host.
• Balwer — Stands unobtrusively in the tent, expressing gratitude for Galad Damodred’s defection while quietly acknowledging his fondness for Faile.
• Tylee / Tylee Khirgan (Banner-General) — Delivers urgent intelligence about Whitecloak movements and approaching Aiel armies, her demeanor shifting to distress as reality ripples around the tent.
• Annoura (Gray sister, Aes Sedai) — Summarizes the Whitecloak defection report and remains outwardly serene while her voice betrays unease during the reality ripple.
• Lini — Sharp-tongued servant who dismisses herself from the tent after scolding Aram for drinking, maintaining her disapproval of Perrin’s household.
• Aram — Haggard and restless in his red-striped coat, he demands more wine before storming out toward Masema’s camp after Lini reprimands him.
• Breane — Refills wine cups and drops a pitcher in shock when the world ripples, her scent spiking with fear alongside the others in the tent.
• Rolan — Approaches Faile with a persistent, flirtatious demeanor about a "kissing game," leaving her unsettled by his public touch and advances.
• Galina (Aes Sedai, gai'shain) — Desperate and uncharacteristically volatile, she promises to smuggle Faile out of Maiden tomorrow morning if she produces the hidden white rod.