Chapter 23 - Wolfbrother

Summary

Perrin and Egwene travel toward Caemlyn, struggling with hunger and the discomfort of sharing riding duties on the small horse Bela. They encounter Elyas Machera, a reclusive man living in the woods with a pack of wolves whom he communicates with through a non-verbal connection. After Egwene tells a fabricated story about their origins, the wolves expose the lies, prompting Perrin to confess their true pursuit by Trollocs and Fades. Elyas refuses to let them go alone, deciding to accompany them south with most of his pack after one wolf, Burn, leaves in protest of the delay, a departure sanctioned by the pack leader Dapple.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene insists on sharing the riding duties with Bela and argues with Perrin about leadership. She eats the roasted rabbit provided by Elyas and attempts to pass as travelers from Saldaea, but her lie is exposed by the wolves. She insists they continue to Caemlyn, standing firm against Perrin's hesitation and Elyas's offer of sanctuary.
• Perrin — Perrin leads the group, hunting rabbits and setting snares, and approaches Elyas cautiously with his axe drawn. He introduces himself and eats with the recluse, but when Elyas reveals he knows their story is false, Perrin confesses the truth about their flight from the Trollocs. He rejects Elyas's offer to stay with the wolves, choosing to go with Egwene despite feeling a strange connection to the animals.
• Bela — Bela carries Egwene on their journey and later rears and screams in fear when the wolves appear. She stops screaming and stands trembling, kicking occasionally to show the wolves she is willing to defend herself, before settling down as they ignore her.
• Elyas / Elyas Machera — Elyas is a lean, sun-browned man wearing clothes made of animal skins who lives in the forest with a pack of wolves. He hosts Perrin and Egwene, reveals he can communicate with them, and exposes their false story before agreeing to guide them south with his pack.
• Dapple (a wolf) — Dapple is a wolf with fur fading through shades of gray who lies near Egwene and leads the pack. She determines Perrin and Egwene are lying, communicates with Elyas about whether to allow them to stay, and ultimately agrees to travel with them south.
• Burn (a wolf) — Burn is a male wolf with an old scar on his shoulder who is impatient and hostile toward Perrin and Egwene. He stands to leave the camp, leading a dozen other young males away in protest of helping humans, and projects feelings of hatred and the taste of blood into Perrin's mind.
• Hopper (a wolf) — Hopper is one of the wolves in Elyas's pack who looks at Perrin and seems to grin, causing Perrin to subconsciously name him. He departs with Burn.
• Wind (a wolf) — Wind is one of the four primary wolves in Elyas's pack who lies near the fire alongside Elyas, Dapple, and Burn.