Chapter 36 - Web of the Pattern

Summary

Rand and Mat rest in the Queen's Blessing inn in Caemlyn, where they explain their flight from Darkfriends and Fades to the innkeeper Master Gill, who offers them shelter and warns them of the political dangers involving Elaida. Rand then seeks a private place to think and discovers the inn's library, where he is startled by the appearance of a giant, polite Ogier named Loial. After an initial shock, Rand engages Loial in conversation, learning about Ogier longevity, their connection to the Pattern, and the destruction of their sacred groves by humans. Loial identifies Rand as a ta'veren, someone around whom the Pattern swirles, and expresses a desire to travel with him, which Rand cautiously accepts while maintaining fear for his missing friends.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand eats a meager meal with Mat and Master Gill, explaining their troubles to the innkeeper while hiding the truth about Trollocs. Later, he escapes to the library where he encounters Loial, calming his initial panic to converse with the Ogier. He shares the truth of his journey with Loial, accepts the Ogier's offer to travel together, and reflects on the safety of his friends.
• Mat — Mat sits with Rand in the common room, frowning at his food and expressing deep pessimism about the fate of their missing friends. He retreats to the attic room, hiding from Rand under his cloak and boots, refusing to engage in conversation.
• Master Gill (the innkeeper) — Master Gill hosts Rand and Mat in the common room, listening to their story and offering shelter in exchange for discretion regarding Aes Sedai. He warns them about the political intrigues involving Elaida and the Queen's Guards, then leaves to attend to the inn's maintenance issues.
• Loial (the Ogier, son of Arent son of Halan) — Loial appears in the library, towering over Rand with his massive stature and tufted ears. He engages Rand in a long conversation about Ogier history, the Pattern, and the destruction of ancient groves, eventually identifying Rand as a ta'veren and asking to join his company.
• the_serving_maid (the serving maid, the dark-eyed girl, the maid) — A young, dark-eyed serving maid shows Rand and Mat to their attic room and later directs Rand to the library. She giggles at Rand and informs him that Queen's Guardsmen occasionally patrol the inn to ensure safety.
• the_cook (the cook) — The cook is seen in the kitchen doorway signaling Master Gill with a sharp look, constantly finding problems that need fixing before he does. She is noted by Master Gill as running him unmercifully, leading to the suggestion that she might own the inn.
• the Guardsman (a Guardsman, the red-uniformed man) — A Guardsman in a red uniform enters the inn, scanning the patrons with a cool eye before moving away without approaching Rand's table.