Chapter 27 - Shelter From the Storm

Summary

Perrin al'Vere, Egwene al'Vere, and Elyas Machera remain with the Tuatha'an camp, where Perrin struggles with the pacifistic atmosphere and his own violent instincts while Egwene enjoys the music and dances. Perrin suffers a vivid nightmare in which Ba'alzamon burns a protective wolf to ash and threatens him before waking to find Elyas and the wolves signaling an urgent departure due to the same vision. The group says formal farewells to Raen and Ila, ending with the traditional 'song' ceremony, and prepares to leave the camp as the wolves scout ahead, sensing the Dark One's proximity.

Characters

• Perrin — Perrin frets over the slow pace of the Tuatha'an and argues with Egwene about staying versus fleeing. He experiences embarrassment during dances, has a terrifying dream of Ba'alzamon burning a wolf, and wakes to find Elyas urging immediate departure, finally accepting the need to leave while shunning the wolves' mental connection.
• Egwene — Egwene embraces the Tinkers' festivities, learning dances and receiving gifts from Aram, while advising Perrin to enjoy themselves. She confers with Ila and stubbornly refuses Aram's attempt to persuade her to stay with the Tuatha'an, eventually preparing to leave with the group.
• Elyas (the strange bearded man) — Elyas refuses to sit on logs, eats pie, and cryptically insists on waiting before leaving despite Perrin's urging. He confronts Perrin after the nightmare, confirms the wolves shared the vision of fire and pain, and leads the group out of camp, participating in the farewell song despite his disbelief.
• Raen (the Seeker) — Raen senses trouble in the sky and air, forcing an early departure from the camp. He bids farewell to Elyas and the others, delivering a solemn blessing about wickedness loose in the world and the path to the stedding, and performs the traditional song ceremony.
• Ila (Raen's wife) — Ila gives Perrin a cloak, comments on his axe, and argues with Egwene's grandson Aram to stop him from trying to keep her with the Tuatha'an. She participates in the farewell, looking relieved at the departure of her grandson and Elyas.
• Aram (the handsome young Tuatha'an, Raen's grandson) — Aram flirts with Egwene, giving her blue beads and trying to persuade her to stay with the People. He is rebuffed by Egwene and scolded by Ila, leaving the camp scowling as the group prepares to depart.
• Dapple — Dapple, the lead wolf, grows impatient with the slow travel and communicates with Elyas about the shared nightmare of fire and pain. She signals the time to go and leads the pack in scouting ahead of the humans.
• Wind — Wind, one of the wolves, shares the impatience of Dapple and the vision of the nightmare with the others. He ranges out ahead to scout the path for the departing group.