Chapter 1 - Waiting

Summary

Perrin Aybara and five Shienaran soldiers wait in the Mountains of Mist for a messenger from Moiraine, during which Perrin shoots a raven spying on their position. A Tinker woman named Leya arrives, identifying herself as the courier, and Perrin guides her to their hidden camp in a mountain bowl. There, they are greeted by the Dragon Reborn's banner and the presence of his ally, though Leya and Perrin exchange views on violence and pacifism during the ride.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Perrin sits his horse Stepper, waiting in the mountains with his men. He shoots a raven that appears to be spying on them, then guides the arriving Tinker woman Leya to their camp, engaging her in a brief, tense discussion about violence and pacifism before leading her into the bowl where the Dragon Reborn's banner flies.
• Masema — One of the five Shienaran soldiers waiting with Perrin, Masema sneers at Perrin's bow and dismisses the Traveling People as useless cowards, only to be rebuked by Uno for his attitude toward a lone woman rider.
• Uno — A Shienaran soldier with a scarred face and a painted eyepatch, Uno commands the group forward to intercept the messenger, silences Masema and Ragan for talking during the watch, and leads the escort into the bowl where the camp is located.
• Ragan — The youngest of the Shienaran soldiers, Ragan explains to Perrin that ravens report to their handlers and admires the strength of Perrin's Two Rivers bow, later agreeing with Uno that he himself would have the nerve to ride the mountain alone if he were a woman, thereby defending himself and Uno against Masema's derogatory comments about Tinkers.
• Leya (Mistress Leya) — A Tinker woman from the Tuatha'an riding a piebald horse, Leya arrives in the mountains claiming she just knew where to find Moiraine. She rides with Perrin to his camp, maintaining her pacifist beliefs despite Perrin's harsh realism about the world, and casts worried glances at the steep slopes as they ascend.
• Stepper — Perrin's dun stallion, named for his quick feet, which shifts and tosses his head while waiting, then leaps ahead when Perrin signals to approach the messenger.