Chapter 9 - Tellings of the Wheel

Summary

Rand al'Thor awakens from a terrifying dream in which he is pursued through a desolate landscape toward a white tower by the Shadow, only to find himself back in his father's room where Tam has recovered slightly from his wounds. After a brief conversation with Tam, who advises caution regarding Aes Sedai and Warders, they are summoned by Lan Mandragoran, who warns of impending trouble. Rand and Mat join Lan outside to find the village men of Emond's Field threatening Moiraine Sedai with expulsion, blaming her for the recent Trolloc attack. Moiraine silences the crowd by displaying her power with a flaming staff and recounting the tragic, heroic history of the lost kingdom of Manetheren, whose descendants she claims the villagers are. Her story shames the aggressors, who quietly withdraw, allowing Lan to escort Rand and Mat out of the inn and into the stableyard for their departure.

Characters

• Rand — Rand endures a vivid nightmare where he is drawn toward a white tower by unseen forces and confronted by a Myrddraal before waking in terror. He later shares his breakfast and conversation with his recovering father, Tam, before being rushed out of the inn by Lan to join the confrontation in the yard, where he watches Moiraine address the villagers.
• Tam — Tam rests in bed, receiving care from Mistress al'Vere, and engages in a serious conversation with Rand about the dangers of the outside world and the deceptive nature of Aes Sedai and Warders before agreeing reluctantly to Rand's departure.
• Lan (the Warder) — Lan enters the room to urgently summon Rand, warning him of trouble outside. He waits impatiently in the hall and later at the inn door, eventually pulling Rand and Mat out to the stableyard to leave the inn.
• Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai (her, the Aes Sedai) — Moiraine stands before an angry mob of villagers, using a flaming staff to intimidate them and then reciting the history of Manetheren to shame them into dispersal, proving their connection to the lost kingdom's bloodline.
• Mat / Mat Cauthon — Mat waits anxiously in the hall with his bow and quiver, expressing his unease about the situation before hurrying after Lan to join Rand in leaving the inn.
• Bran / Mayor / Bran al'Vere — Bran al'Vere emerges from the shadows to defend Moiraine, citing her healing of several villagers and shaming the crowd with his presence and authority as Mayor.
• Haral / Haral Luhhan (the blacksmith) — Haral Luhhan steps forward to support Bran, intimidating Hari Coplin with his physical presence and cracking his knuckles to assert his support for Moiraine without speaking.
• Hari / Hari Coplin — Hari Coplin leads the initial charge against Moiraine, shouting threats and waving a torch until he is shamed by Bran and intimidated by Haral Luhhan, eventually leaving with a grudging admission of debt to the Aes Sedai.
• Darl / Darl Coplin — Darl Coplin stands with his brother Hari, shouting accusations and waving a torch before silently retreating when the crowd disperses.
• Bili Congar / Bili — Bili Congar stands briefly at the front of the crowd shouting threats before diving back into the crowd to disappear before the resolution of the confrontation.
• Cenn / Cenn Buie (the thatcher) — Cenn Buie stands uncomfortably at the front of the crowd, muttering about the danger of Aes Sedai and later admitting that Moiraine helped him, feeling ashamed by Bran's rebuke before leaving.
• Paet al'Caar / Paet (the long-jawed farmer) — Paet al'Caar steps forward to speak for the crowd, admitting his debt to Moiraine for healing his son and shamed by her story, he privately apologizes and leaves the confrontation.
• Myrddraal — In Rand's dream, a Myrddraal appears at the top of the white tower's stairs, hissing that they have been waiting for Rand before the dream ends.