Chapter 50 - The Hammer

Summary

Perrin, Moiraine, Lan, Loial, and Zarine arrive in the hot, damp city of Tear and take lodgings at the Star inn, where they are greeted by the weary innkeeper Jurah Haret. Perrin discovers the inn is attached to a smithy and spends the day working as an apprentice for the smith Dermid Ajala, earning a hammer as a reward. Later, Moiraine reveals that the High Lord Samon is the Forsaken Be'lal and that he intends to intercept Rand al'Thor for the angreal Callandor; she dismisses Loial from the immediate danger but he chooses to stay. Moiraine explains that she and Lan must enter the Stone of Tear alone to confront Be'lal, while the others remain at the inn, and Lan notes the presence of hidden Aiel on the rooftops.

Characters

• Perrin (blacksmith, farmboy) — Perrin rides Stepper into Tear and observes the defeated atmosphere of the city. He works in a smithy as an apprentice to Dermid Ajala, crafting a tool and earning a hammer. He later joins Moiraine, Lan, and the others for a briefing about the Forsaken Be'lal before returning to his room to reflect on the hammer and his axe.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai) — Moiraine leads her group into Tear, concealing her identity with a hood. She reveals to the group that High Lord Samon is the Forsaken Be'lal and intends to kill Rand using Callandor. She states that only she and Lan will enter the Stone, orders the others to stay at the inn, and questions Loial about Be'lal's history before dismissing Lan to scout.
• Lan (Warder, Gaidin) — Lan accompanies the group into Tear and checks into the Star inn. He warns Zarine against using the name Aes Sedai publicly. He insists on going with Moiraine into the Stone rather than standing aside, then leaves to study the Stone of Tear while noting the presence of hidden Aiel on the city's rooftops.
• Loial (Ogier, friend Ogier) — Loial rides into Tear and comments on the defeat felt by the citizens. He is questioned by Moiraine about the Forsaken Be'lal, providing information from Ogier history about Be'lal's envy and titles. He initially considers leaving but decides to stay with the group, and is noted to have seen Aiel on the rooftops.
• Zarine (Faile, mistress) — Zarine, who has chosen the name Faile, questions the group about their purpose in Tear and is reprimanded by Lan. She sits in the smithy watching Perrin work and later attends the briefing where she expresses fear of the Forsaken but swears to stand with the group. She asks Perrin what he intends to do during the confrontation.
• Dermid Ajala (smith) — The smith Dermid Ajala works in his forge next to the inn. He allows Perrin to work as an apprentice, praises his skill, and gifts him a heavy hammer. He complains about his missing apprentices and assigns Perrin to make drawknives and adzes.
• Jurah Haret (innkeeper, balding man) — Jurah Haret, the innkeeper of the Star, greets the group with weary resignation. He shows them to their rooms, mistakenly identifying Moiraine and Lan as a lady and her guard, and expresses surprise at seeing another Ogier in the city.
• Stepper — Perrin's dun stallion is led up the ferry ramp and ridden into Tear by Perrin before being handed over to stablemen at the inn.