Chapter 25 - The Traveling People

Summary

Perrin and Egwene, traveling south with Elyas Machera and three wolves, encounter a large Tinker camp within a forest stand. Elyas leads them to Raen, the Seeker of the Tuatha'an, who welcomes them to his fire. Inside the camp, Perrin engages in a heated debate with Raen and his grandson Aram regarding the Tuatha'an pacifist philosophy, the Way of the Leaf, contrasting it with the necessity of violence in their world. Egwene dances with Aram, finding momentary joy, before later seeking Perrin out to confirm that their friends in Baerlon are alive, a reassurance that relieves her distress. The group shares a meal and listens to Raen recount a terrifying story from the Aiel Waste about an Aiel girl who died passing a warning about the Dark One to the Tinkers.

Characters

• Perrin — Perrin travels with Egwene and Elyas, relying on his instinctive connection to the wolves to know their position. He challenges the Tinker Raen's philosophy of non-violence, arguing that violence is sometimes necessary to protect the weak, and later comforts a weeping Egwene by confirming that Rand and Mat are alive.
• Egwene — Egwene rides the mare Bela alongside the wolves. She dances with Aram at the Tinker camp, finding joy in the moment, but later breaks down in tears before Perrin, asking if her friends are safe, relieved to hear they are alive.
• Elyas — Elyas leads the pair to the Tinker camp, commanding the mastiffs to submit with a whistle. He maintains a strained relationship with Raen, refusing to sit on a log and listening grimly to the story about the Aiel Waste.
• Bela — Bela carries Egwene through the forest, reacting nervously to the wolves with white-rimmed eyes before calming down as the group reaches the Tinker camp and the mare is taken by a smiling Tinker.
• Dapple — Dapple is one of the three wolves that remain close to the group, fading in and out of sight, and is known by Perrin through his mental connection.
• Hopper — Hopper is one of the three wolves accompanying the group, appearing close at hand only when he chooses to be seen.
• Wind — Wind is one of the three wolves traveling with the group, staying close to Elyas and the others while scouting the path.
• Raen (Mahdi, the Seeker) — Raen is the gray-haired leader of the Tinker band who greets Elyas and welcomes Perrin and Egwene to his fire. He passionately defends the Way of the Leaf, arguing against violence, and tells a somber story of an Aiel girl who died delivering a warning from the Blight.
• Ila — Ila is Raen's wife, a tall, motherly woman who warmly embraces Egwene and serves the group a hearty stew. She is visibly pained by Raen's conflicts with Elyas and worries about the fate of those who cannot follow their pacifist way.
• Aram — Aram is a slender, handsome young Tinker and Raen's grandson who practices the Way of the Leaf. He flirts with Egwene, leading her away to dance, and displays a deep sadness over the inability of some people to overcome their violent instincts.
• Mastiff — Three large mastiffs burst from cover to confront the travelers but are subdued by Elyas's whistle, lying flat on the ground as the group is welcomed to the Tinker camp by Raen.