Chapter 19 - Vows

Summary

Loial navigates the rambling manor house to confront his mother Covril and his betrothed Erith, ultimately exchanging vows under Light and Tree to become her husband before spotting a massive Trolloc army approaching from the woods. He receives an axe from Elder Haman and joins him in shouting a battle cry while rushing to warn others of the impending attack. Meanwhile, Rand al'Thor senses Shadowspawn closing in and channels saidin despite dizziness and Lews Therin's interference, creating Deathgates and Arrows of Fire to slaughter the charging horde. He commands the madman to extinguish burning barns and argues internally about survival before Cadsuane interrogates Min Farshaw through their bond regarding Rand's emotional state. Min defies Cadsuane's demands, shifts her focus to Rand, and watches as Lews Therin finally releases the Power after accepting they may die at Tarmon Gai'don.

Characters

• Loial — Walks anxiously through the manor house to meet his mother and betrothed, ultimately vows under Light and Tree to marry Erith, and receives a long-handled axe before running down to warn of an approaching Trolloc army.
• Covril — Stands by the fireplace drying her skirts, confronts Loial about his travels, insists on opening the Book of Translation at the Great Stump soon, and rare emotion shows as she dabs her eyes with a handkerchief.
• Haman — Examines ancient axes, questions Erith's readiness for marriage but performs the ceremony anyway, worries about Covril swaying the Great Stump, and tosses Loial an axe before joining him in a battle cry.
• Erith — Dries her skirts by the fire, accepts Loial's hand in marriage under Light and Tree, calls him Husband, and takes up a pruning knife to defend their quarters against the incoming Shadowspawn.
• Lews Therin — Seizes control of saidin during the battle, channels Blossom of Fire and moving gateways to slaughter Trollocs, expresses a desire to die and join Ilyena, and finally releases the Power after accepting they may perish at Tarmon Gai'don.
• Rand al'Thor — Channels saidin despite dizziness and internal interference, creates Deathgates and Arrows of Fire to halt the Shadowspawn charge, commands Lews Therin to extinguish barn fires, and defies Cadsuane's interrogation regarding his bond with Min.
• Logain Ablar — Channels saidin at the window, copies Rand's Deathgate weave, notes the immense reservoir of Power Rand holds, and observes Lews Therin release the Source.
• Cadsuane — Rises to channel when Shadowspawn approach, interrogates Min about Rand's emotional state through their bond, warns Rand against showing too many teeth, and instructs him to ask Min if she desires his protection.
• Min — Draws throwing knives and stands guard on a table, her bond radiating fear and irritation, defies Cadsuane's demands by refusing to relay Rand's feelings directly, and shifts her glare toward Rand.
• Alivia — Walks briskly toward the windows as Cadsuane channels, steps toward Rand but receives a silent shake of the head, and stands guard on the table with a spear.
• Harilin — Stands on the table veiled and armed with a spear alongside Enaila, exchanges worried glances about the Trollocs, and maintains her guard position during the battle.
• Enaila — Stands on the table veiled and armed with a spear alongside Harilin, shares worried glances regarding the approaching Shadowspawn, and holds her ground during the fight.