Chapter 1 - An Empty Road

Summary

Tam al'Thor and his son Rand al'Thor travel through the harsh, windy landscape from their farm to Emond's Field, carrying casks of apple brandy and cider for the upcoming Bel Tine festival. On the road, Rand becomes convinced he is being followed by a mysterious, shadowy rider on a black horse who vanishes without a trace, a fear shared by Mat Cauthon who has encountered the same figure. Upon reaching the village, they navigate the bustling preparations for the festival while Tam is drawn into a dispute with Wit Congar regarding the Wisdom Nynaeve, which is abruptly halted by the intervention of Daise Congar. The group eventually gathers at the Winespring Inn where the Mayor Bran al'Vere reveals the arrival of a gleeman and promises fireworks, distracting the villagers from their concerns about the prolonged winter and strange omens.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand travels with his father, carrying his bow and arrow while grappling with the unsettling feeling of being watched by a menacing black-cloaked rider. He interacts with Mat Cauthon, confirming the stranger's terrifying presence, and helps unload goods at the Winespring Inn before the attention of the village turns to the gleeman and festival preparations.
• Tam / Tam al'Thor (Master al'Thor) — Tam leads the journey to Emond's Field, ignoring the bad weather and wildlife dangers to keep his word. He maintains a stoic, practical demeanor while delivering their goods.
• Bela — A shaggy brown mare pulling the cart, who plods steadily along the road and ignores Tam's attempts to hurry her until she recognizes the way to the Winespring Inn.
• Bran / Bran al'Vere (Mayor, Master al'Vere) — The Mayor and innkeeper of Emond's Field, wearing his silver scale medallion early for the festival. He greets Tam and Rand, deals with Cenn Buie's complaints, and reveals the surprise arrival of a gleeman and the rumor of fireworks to lift the villagers' spirits.
• Cenn / Cenn Buie (thatcher) — The gnarled thatcher of Emond's Field who appears to complain about the weather and Nynaeve's predictions. He spreads gloom about the lack of storks and the possibility of the winter ending, before fleeing the Mayor's wrath to seek mulled wine.
• Wit / Wit Congar — A scrawny, complaining villager who attempts to meddle in Women's Circle business by complaining about Wisdom Nynaeve. He is silenced by his formidable wife, Daise, and then leaves the conversation.
• Daise Congar — A large, hard-faced woman and Wit's wife who aggressively defends Women's Circle authority and chases her husband off when he tries to interfere in the village's political matters.
• Mat / Mat Cauthon / Matrim — Rand's friend who crouches beside the cart to whisper about a terrifying stranger on a black horse that he also encountered. He joins Rand in helping unload the cider at the inn, relieved by the news of the gleeman but still unsettled by the memory of the rider.