Chapter 2 - Strangers
Summary
Rand and Mat deliver casks to the Winespring Inn cellar, where they observe the Village Council speaking in low, worried tones, but they do not hear what is said. Ewin Finngar interrupts them to describe the arrival of strangers in Emond's Field: a high-born lady named Moiraine and her attendant Lan. Rand and Mat encounter Moiraine in the Green, where she gives them silver pennies and tasks them with helping her, revealing her interest in local history before departing with her silent, sword-wielding companion.
Characters
- Rand — Rand assists Mat in hauling barrels into the inn's cellar. He later encounters Moiraine in the Green, accepts her silver coin and request for assistance, and questions her presence before watching her move toward the Wagon Bridge with Lan.
- Mat / Matrim Cauthon / Mat Cauthon — Mat accompanies Rand to the inn, evades the blacksmith's notice regarding a prank, and listens to Ewin's description of the strangers. He meets Moiraine, bows awkwardly, accepts her coin, and expresses skepticism about her identity as a Warder's companion.
- Moiraine (The Lady Moiraine) — Moiraine arrives in Emond's Field wearing a blue velvet cloak and intricate gold jewelry, accompanied by her sword-wielding attendant Lan. She interacts with Rand and Mat in the Green, giving them silver coins and tasks while claiming to be a student of history interested in the region's past.
- Lan — Lan arrives with Moiraine, wearing a cloak that shifts color and blending into the shadows. He walks silently by Moiraine's side, his cold blue gaze weighing the youths, and accompanies her away from the inn without speaking to the villagers.
- Ewin / Ewin Finngar — Ewin Finngar rushes into the inn's cellar to share news of the strangers. He describes Moiraine and Lan's appearance to Rand and Mat, invites Moiraine to his house, and excitedly receives a silver penny from her, which he resolves to keep.
- Bran / Bran al'Vere / Master al'Vere (the Mayor) — Bran al'Vere speaks in a low voice to the Village Council members in the inn's common room, emphasizing his words by tapping his finger into his palm.
- Mistress al'Vere — Mistress al'Vere brings fresh-baked bread, pickles, and cheese from the kitchen to the common room, earning praise from the men and delight from Rand and Mat. She invites the boys to eat honeycakes once they finish their chores.
- Master Luhhan / Haral Luhhan (the blacksmith) — Haral Luhhan sits in the common room wearing his leather apron, frowning as he observes Rand and Mat before tamping his pipe. He is later mentioned as having his dogs covered in flour by Mat.
- Jon Thane (the miller) — Jon Thane sits among the Village Council in the common room, listening intently to Bran al'Vere's low conversation alongside the other council members.
- Rowan Hum — Rowan Hum joins the rest of the Village Council in the common room, huddling with them as they listen to Bran al'Vere speak in a low voice.
- Samel Crawe — Samel Crawe attends the Village Council meeting in the common room, sitting among the group as they wait in silence.