ChapterTrack

Chapter 3 - The Peddler

Summary

Padan Fain arrives in Emond's Field with his wagon, drawing a crowd of villagers eager for news from the outside world. Fain reveals that a man claiming to be the Dragon Reborn has raised his standard in Ghealdan, can channel the One Power, and is being pursued by Aes Sedai, sparking panic and debate among the villagers about the prophecies of the Breaking. The Village Council, led by Bran al’Vere and Tam al’Thor, intervenes to silence the crowd and escorts Fain inside the Winespring Inn for a private interrogation. Later, outside the inn, Rand, Mat, and Perrin discuss the news and their shared encounter with a mysterious black-cloaked rider, only to be scolded by Wisdom Nynaeve al’Meara and her apprentice Egwene al’Vere for their foolish talk. Egwene and Rand have a tense conversation about her future apprenticeship and potential departure from the Two Rivers as Nynaeve retreats indoors.

Characters

  • Padan Fain (the peddler, Master Fain) — Padan Fain drives his wagon into Emond's Field, delighting in the attention of the villagers before delivering sensational news of a False Dragon in Ghealdan who can channel the One Power. He calmly fields questions from the crowd and the Village Council, claiming that Aes Sedai are pursuing this man, before being escorted inside the inn by Bran and Tam while his horses are led away.
  • Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand watches Fain's arrival with a mix of fear and excitement about the news of the Dragon Reborn. He sits on a stone foundation while Mat and Perrin approach him to discuss the rumors, during which Perrin recounts his sighting of a mysterious rider, a claim Rand supports. Rand later engages in an awkward and tense conversation with Egwene about her future as a Wisdom and her potential departure from the Two Rivers.
  • Mat / Matrim Cauthon (Matrim) — Mat eagerly listens to Fain's news and excitedly discusses the possibility of seeing the False Dragon with Rand and Perrin. He attempts to taunt Old Bil Congar about the Dark One, gets scolded by Nynaeve, and later confirms to Egwene that he and the others saw the black-cloaked rider.
  • Perrin / Perrin Aybara (the blacksmith's apprentice) — Perrin pushes through the crowd to speak with Rand and Mat, expressing his fear that the False Dragon's war and the presence of Aes Sedai will bring destruction to the Two Rivers. He confirms his own sighting of the mysterious rider and shares in the group's anxiety as they face Nynaeve's wrath.
  • Bran / Bran al'Vere (the Mayor) — Mayor Bran al'Vere leads the Village Council out to confront the crowd and silence the panic. He escorts Padan Fain into the inn for questioning alongside Tam al’Thor and the rest of the Council, and shouts at the villagers to disperse, maintaining order amidst the chaos.
  • Tam / Tam al'Thor — Tam accompanies Bran and the Council, standing firm against Cenn Buie's provocations. He quietly advises Bran in the inn, then moves to lead Fain inside, gruffly defending Ewin Finngar from Cenn's aggression.
  • Cenn / Cenn Buie (the thatcher) — Cenn Buie challenges the Council's authority and Fain's narrative, refusing to remain silent about the lack of spring and the danger of the Dragon Reborn. He argues vehemently with the Mayor and Tam, then turns his attention to mocking Old Bil Congar for naming the Dark One.
  • Nynaeve / Nynaeve al'Meara (Wisdom) — Nynaeve appears to scold Rand, Mat, and Perrin for their foolish talk of the Dark One and the Dragon Reborn. She dismisses the Council's handling of the situation and announces her intent to question Fain. She warns Mat about his tongue, then disappears into the inn, leaving Egwene behind.
  • Egwene (Egwene al'Vere) — Egwene stands behind Nynaeve, watching the youths with disapproval and a secret smile. She confronts Rand about his feelings and her future as a Wisdom, revealing her desire to leave the Two Rivers and her fear of losing her connection to him if she does.
  • Haral Luhhan (Master Luhhan) — Master Luhhan sits in the crowd, growling that the Dragon is not the Dark One and dismissing the claims of the False Dragon. Tam growls at Cenn Buie to hold steady and act his age.
  • Wit (Wit Congar) — Wit Congar shouts his desire to buy pins and refuses to be silenced by the Mayor. He later stares into Fain's abandoned wagon. Mat relates a story about Old Bil Congar naming the Dark One, which Nynaeve later scolds him for.
  • Ewin / Ewin Finngar (the boy) — Ewin Finngar bursts out to state that the False Dragon will go mad and die, reminding the crowd that only women can channel the Power. He ducks under a cuff from Cenn Buie but is defended by Tam.
  • Hu / Tad — Hu and Tad, the stablemen, stand by the wagon grunting in reply to the villagers' questions. They methodically remove the harness from Fain's horses and lead them away, not returning afterward.