Chapter 3 - News from the Plain

Summary

Perrin witnesses the aftermath of the earth tremor caused by Rand and observes Moiraine's angry reaction before checking on Min, who stirs stew and refuses his suggestion to leave the group, citing a story about a forced marriage. Moiraine arrives with Lan and Uno, delivering news from Leya regarding the chaos on Almoth Plain, the presence of five thousand Whitecloaks who are strangely avoiding direct combat with the Dragonsworn, and three recent murders of tall, light-eyed young men possibly by Soulless. Moiraine explains her warding strategy against Shadowspawn, prompting Lan to offer patrol while Uno and Min express concerns about hidden threats, ultimately leaving the camp in a state of wary anticipation as Perrin takes the third watch and retreats to sleep.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Perrin observes the damage caused by the tremor and Moiraine's anger, then checks on Min by the cook fires, suggesting she leave the group for her safety. He later listens to Moiraine's intelligence briefing, accepts Uno's offer of the third watch, and retreats to his hut to sleep.
• Min — Min stirs a kettle of stew with a disgruntled expression, complaining about Rand's instability. She listens to Perrin's suggestion to leave and refuses, sharing an anecdote about a forced marriage to explain her decision to stay, before kissing Perrin on the cheek.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai, Mistress, Moiraine Sedai) — Moiraine stands outside her hut watching the crack in the wall, then returns to the fire to heal Leya and report on the situation in Almoth Plain. She explains the strange behavior of the Whitecloaks, mentions the deaths of light-eyed youths, and details her warding strategy while dismissing Lan's offer to patrol.
• Lan (Warder, Gaidin) — Lan walks down from Moiraine's hut with the group, his presence described as imposing and potentially vanishing. He confirms the threat of Soulless, listens to Moiraine's orders, eats stew, and follows her back to her hut.
• Uno — Uno helps rebuild a collapsed hut, then joins the group at the fire to discuss the news from Almoth Plain. He grumbles about the Whitecloaks, watches his language in Moiraine's presence, and agrees to take the third watch from Perrin.
• Loial (Ogier) — Loial is seen helping the Shienarans rebuild a collapsed hut, using his strength to lift logs. He later joins the group at the fire, commenting on the Wheel weaving a way for Rand to move.
• Rand — Rand is observed as a dim shape slipping between the trees toward his hut after the events of the day. He is described as refusing to eat dinner due to the way others look at him.
• Leya (Mistress Leya, Tuatha'an woman) — Leya is described as resting after splitting her scalp during the tremor. Moiraine confirms she has healed her, and Min recalls a vision of her bloody death, noting the uncertainty of whether it has already happened or is yet to come.