Chapter 8 - A Place of Safety

Summary

Moiraine Sedai successfully heals the taint from Tam al’Thor’s wound using an angreal, reassuring a desperate Rand that his father will recover with rest. Moiraine and Lan reveal that the Trolloc attack was specifically targeted at Rand, Mat, and Perrin, explaining that their specific holdings or locations were ignored or spared in the broader chaos, which compels them to flee to the safety of Tar Valon to protect both themselves and the Two Rivers. Rand accepts this grim necessity, resolves to leave a note for his father who remains in a deep healing sleep, and stays awake in the inn room, watching over Tam until he is too exhausted to stay alert.

Characters

• Bran / Master al’Vere (the Mayor) — Bran tends to Tam al’Thor before leaving the room to allow Moiraine privacy. He later returns with his wife, complains about the respect shown to Moiraine Sedai, and explains to Rand that the Trollocs seemed confused by the presence of the Aes Sedai.
• Mistress al’Vere — Mistress al’Vere brings food to Rand, firmly manages the room's atmosphere to ensure Tam remains undisturbed, and instructs Rand to sleep while allowing him to stay by the fire to watch his father.
• Lan (Warder) — Lan questions Rand about the sword and the sighting of the rider, confirming the attacker was a Myrddraal. He explains the targeted nature of the attack, noting which farms were spared, and advises Rand on the dangers of fleeing to cities like Caemlyn.
• Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai (the Aes Sedai) — Moiraine heals Tam al’Thor using a brown ivory angreal, revealing that the wound was tainted by Dark One’s steel. She informs Rand and Lan that the attack was a targeted effort to kill them three boys, and she orders them to leave for Tar Valon for safety and answers.
• Rand (sheepherder, the boy) — Rand pleads for his father’s safety and stays in the room while Moiraine heals Tam. He questions Lan about the rider, learns of the targeted nature of the attack, and reluctantly accepts Moiraine’s decision that he, Mat, and Perrin must flee to Tar Valon, remaining awake to watch his father sleep.
• Tam (his father) — Tam lies unconscious on the bed, his fever gone after being healed by Moiraine. He remains in a deep, healing sleep throughout the chapter, unaware of the discussions about his condition or Rand's departure.
• Thom / Thom Merrilin (the gleeman) — Thom enters the room, cuts off a conversation with Bran, and glowers at Lan’s distrust before hurrying out of the room to smoke and check on his cloak.