Chapter 1 - Waiting

Summary

Perrin Aybara and his five Shienaran escorts, Uno, Ragan, Masema, and two others, wait in the Mountains of Mist for a messenger from Moiraine. When a raven appears, Perrin shoots it down to prevent it from reporting their location to the Dark One. A woman riding a piebald horse, identified as Leya of the Tuatha'an, arrives through the treacherous mountain passes. Perrin intercepts her, and they ride together to the Dragon Reborn's hidden camp in a narrow valley bowl. During the journey, Leya and Perrin debate the efficacy of pacifism versus violence in the face of evil. Upon arrival, they are greeted by the camp's inhabitants, including a young woman shouting from the side.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Perrin sits with his Shienaran companions in the mountains, using his enhanced vision to spot the approaching rider and killing a raven with his longbow. He leads Leya into the camp, deflecting her philosophical arguments about pacifism while suppressing his own growing unease. He finally arrives at the hidden valley, revealing it to be the camp of the Dragon Reborn.
• Uno — Uno leads the small Shienaran group with a scarred, one-eyed presence. He scolds Ragan and Masema for their chatter and questions Perrin about the approaching rider, ensuring the men remain focused on their task.
• Ragan — Ragan is the youngest of the Shienaran escorts, who explains the threat of ravens and debates the utility of Perrin's longbow with Masema. He agrees with Uno's defense of the Tinker woman by vowing he would not fight even if she were a woman, before riding into the camp.
• Masema — Masema sneers at the idea of Tinkers and critiques the range of Perrin's bow. He is reprimanded by Uno for his disrespect and remains silent, scanning the sky as he rides into the hidden valley.
• Leya (Mistress Leya) — Leya rides a piebald horse through the dangerous mountains, guided by an intuition she cannot explain. She is not alarmed by the armed men, but she challenges Perrin’s belief in violence, arguing that fleeing evil is the only way to avoid becoming like it.
• Stepper — Stepper is Perrin's dun stallion, named for his quick feet. He shifts and tosses his head, seemingly feeling his rider’s irritation and impatience, before leaping ahead to intercept Leya, kicking up snow as he moves.