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Chapter 36 - Among the Elders

Summary

In Stedding Tsofu, the group appeals to the Eldest Alar for access to a Waygate to pursue Padan Fain. Alar summons Trayal, an Ogier driven mad by the Ways, to illustrate the dangers, and reluctantly permits the group to use a Waygate only if Loial accompanies them to ensure his safety. At the Waygate, Verin attempts to open the gate but is halted by Rand’s warning that the Machin Shin (Black Wind) is waiting inside; Alar declares the Waygates unusable. Ingtar resolves to return to Cairhien to force Barthanes to reveal the Darkfriends' trail, while the remaining group debates their next move. Verin confirms that the Machin Shin likely guards all gates, making the Ways impassable. Verin then reveals knowledge of Portal Stones, and Alar directs them to a Stone nearby, allowing the group to bypass the blocked Waygates entirely by heading toward it.

Characters

  • Alar (Eldest, Eldest of the Elders of Stedding Tsofu) — Alar, the Eldest of the Elders, interrogates the group about the Horn of Valere and the dangers of the Ways. She presents Trayal to demonstrate the soulless fate of those who travel the Ways, a condition described by Verin and confirmed by the other Elders as having no mind or soul. After Rand asserts he will care for Loial, Alar agrees to guide the group to the Waygate. Upon seeing the Machin Shin at the gate, she forbids its use and later directs Verin to a nearby Portal Stone instead.
  • Loial (son of Arent son of Halan, young Ogier) — Loial sits anxiously outside the Elder’s hall, reading a book while Ogier women watch him. He is summoned to the Elders, where Rand and his friends vouch for him. He receives a flower from Erith and learns Alar has commanded Rand to ensure his safe return to Shangtai. He expresses relief that the Waygate cannot be used and suggests other stedding locations before the group moves to the Portal Stone.
  • Verin (Aes Sedai) — Verin pleads the group's case to the Elders and touches Trayal to confirm his emptiness. She approaches the Waygate with Verin and is forced to close it after Rand warns of the Black Wind. She acknowledges the danger of using the Ways and later reveals knowledge of Portal Stones to solve the problem. She accepts Alar’s direction to the nearby Stone, ending their time in Stedding Tsofu.
  • Rand (ta’veren) — Rand defends Loial’s place in the group before the Elders, feeling the weight of the pattern's weaving. He feels the presence of saidin outside the stedding. At the Waygate, he shouts for Verin to close it upon sensing the Machin Shin. He internally struggles with his fear of channeling versus the necessity of finding a Portal Stone. He asserts he can find the Stone and decides to use it to reach Toman Head quickly.
  • Mat — Mat jokes with Rand about Loial being married to an Ogier woman. He sits on the coping with his head in his hands at the Waygate, appearing worried. He shows hope when the topic of Portal Stones is raised, as it offers a faster route than riding west.
  • Perrin — Perrin suggests trying another Waygate at a different stedding. He watches Mat worriedly at the Waygate. He raps Mat on the head to stop his teasing of Loial. He listens to the discussion about Portal Stones and the new plan.
  • Ingtar — Ingtar bows formally to the Elders and argues for the necessity of the Horn. He is angry when the Waygate is deemed unusable and announces his decision to return to Cairhien to force Lord Barthanes to reveal the Darkfriends' trail. He leaves the group at the Waygate.
  • Hurin (sniffer) — Hurin observes the Elders and the Mad Ogier with awe. He is sent by Ingtar to fetch Uno and the soldiers. He suggests using a Portal Stone to reach the Aryth Ocean quickly, noting its speed compared to riding. He stands by as Verin addresses his suggestion.
  • Uno — Uno rides with Hurin to fetch the soldiers. He shifts in his saddle and loosens his sword at the Waygate, showing readiness despite the uselessness of swords there. He is not present for the final decision on the Portal Stone.
  • Juin (Ogier) — Juin leads the group to the Elder's hall and brings Trayal out. He leads the horses to the Waygate and rubs his hands nervously, refusing to look at the gate. He is not present for the final decision on the Portal Stone.
  • Trayal — Trayal is brought before the group by two Ogier women. He is a dark-bearded Ogier with a sagging face and vacant, unblinking eyes, drooling and shuffling without purpose. Verin touches him and confirms he is entirely empty of mind and soul.
  • Erith — Erith is mentioned as having given Loial a trueheart blossom and telling him he was handsome. She is not physically present in the current scene but is referenced in Loial's conversation.