Chapter 9 - Tellings of the Wheel
Summary
Rand awakens from a vivid nightmare about a black mountain and a white city to find his father Tam recovering in the Winespring Inn. After a brief conversation where Tam accepts their impending departure for Tar Valon, the Warder Lan al’Tear interrupts to urge haste. In the inn's yard, Moiraine Sedai faces an angry mob of villagers led by Hari Coplin, Darl, and Cenn Buie who blame her for the Trolloc attack. Moiraine silences the crowd by wielding fiery flames from her staff and recounting the tragic, heroic history of the lost kingdom of Manetheren, causing the villagers to retreat in shame and remorse. Lan then ushers a reluctant Rand and an impatient Mat out of the inn to begin their journey under the cover of darkness.
Characters
- Rand — Rand experiences a terrifying nightmare involving a black mountain and a fleeing white city before waking to tend to his father. Lan urges Rand to leave quickly, leading Rand to follow Mat and the Warder downstairs, where he hesitates momentarily before leaving Emond's Field behind.
- Tam — Tam wakes up from his healing sleep, eats broth, and discusses the attack with Rand. He accepts the necessity of fleeing to Tar Valon, hugs his son, and encourages Rand to keep his sword, unaware of the chaos unfolding in the yard.
- Lan (the Warder) — Lan bursts into the room to demand Rand leave immediately. He pulls Rand back from the door and forcibly ushers both Rand and Mat out of the inn to start their journey.
- Mat / Mat Cauthon — Mat waits anxiously in the hallway with his bow and quiver before following Lan downstairs. He rushes ahead with Lan, leaving Rand to catch up, and the group hurries out of the inn into the stableyard.
- Moiraine (Aes Sedai, the Aes Sedai) — Moiraine stands before an angry mob, wielding her staff to create flames and silence the crowd. She delivers a detailed historical account of the kingdom of Manetheren, its king Aemon, and its queen Eldrene, shaming the villagers into dispersing.
- Bran / Bran al'Vere (Mayor, Mayor al'Vere) — Bran al'Vere steps out from the shadows with a cask maul to challenge Hari Coplin's threats. He lists the healing benefits Moiraine provided to the villagers, shaming Cenn Buie and the others before Moiraine begins her speech.
- Hari / Hari Coplin (the sour-faced farmer) — Hari leads the confrontation against Moiraine, shouting for her to leave and threatening to burn the inn. He steps back when Bran and the blacksmith intervene and finally admits his shame after Moiraine's story, vowing to allow her to stay.
- Darl / Darl Coplin — Darl waves a torch and shouts accusations against Moiraine, claiming she brought the monsters. He stands with his brother Hari until the crowd disperses, then slips away in shame.
- Cenn / Cenn Buie (the thatcher) — Cenn Buie stands in the front line, muttering that Aes Sedai bring trouble and refusing to support Hari's extremism. He feels shame when Bran calls him out and retreats into the crowd after the confrontation ends.
- Bili Congar / Bili — Bili Congar stands with his cousins Hari and Darl but looks ready to back away from the confrontation. He disappears into the crowd along with his cousins after the others begin to slip away.
- Paet al'Caar / Paet (the long-jawed farmer) — Paet al'Caar steps past the Coplins to speak with Moiraine, admitting his shame and acknowledging her healing of his son. He privately declares that she may stay in Emond's Field as long as she likes.
- Haral / Haral Luhhan (the blacksmith) — Haral Luhhan steps out of the shadows to stand with Bran. He stretches and cracks his knuckles, intimidating Hari Coplin into silence and supporting the Mayor's authority without speaking much.