ChapterTrack

Chapter 34 - A Different Dance

Summary

Perrin Aybara wrestles with his guilt over an Aiel prisoner in Remen and his anxiety about his yellow eyes after being stared at by a mysterious woman. He visits Moiraine to discuss Rand's whereabouts and the presence of potential Darkfriends, receiving no direct answers. Driven by a need to act, Perrin secretly frees the caged Aiel, Gaul, from the gibbet. Gaul reveals he is searching for the Dragon Reborn and is nearly recaptured by Children of the Light, prompting him to engage the Whitecloaks in combat. Perrin joins the fight, killing several men with his axe, before Gaul escapes and Perrin is confronted by a furious Lan Mandragoran regarding the breach of security. Lan orders Perrin to retrieve Loial and prepare to flee Remen immediately to hide their tracks.

Characters

  • Perrin / Perrin Aybara (wetlander, blacksmith) — Perrin worries about the staring woman and the caged Aiel, then secretly frees the Aiel Gaul from the gibbet in the square. He fights alongside Gaul against a group of Whitecloaks, killing several men with his axe, and is later reprimanded by Lan for the incident before being ordered to prepare for an immediate escape.
  • Moiraine / Alys (Lady Alys, Lady) — Moiraine reacts with concern to news of a false Dragon in Ghealdan, then dismisses Perrin's attempts to discuss the situation when he visits her room, revealing she is weighing options regarding Rand's path to Tear.
  • Lan (Master Andra) — Lan questions the innkeeper about the false Dragon rumors and later confronts Perrin in the square, furious that the Aiel was freed, ordering him to retrieve Loial and rush to the stables to find passage to Tear.
  • Loial (Ogier, friend Ogier) — Loial excitedly shows Perrin his ancient sung-wood bed and invites him to supper.
  • Gaul (Aiel, Shae’en M’taal, Stone Dog) — Gaul, a Shaarad Aiel of the Imran sept, is freed from a gibbet by Perrin and reveals he is searching for He Who Comes With the Dawn. He engages Whitecloaks in a skillful fight to protect Perrin, killing many before escaping into the night.
  • Furlan (innkeeper) — Gainor Furlan escorts the group to their rooms, boasts about the Hunters of the Horn in his inn, and provides details about the rumors of a preacher proclaiming the Dragon in Ghealdan.
  • Orban (Hunter, Lord Orban) — Orban sits in the common room with his bandaged leg propped up, loudly boasting to the crowd about his battles with Aiel savages alongside Lord Gann.