Chapter 35 - Stedding Tsofu

Summary

Rand and his companions cross into Stedding Tsofu, experiencing a sense of renewal as they are greeted by an Ogier woman named Erith, who politely requests that armed men remain outside the sacred space. While Verin and Ingtar handle the protocol, Rand, Perrin, Mat, and Loial engage in conversation about Ogier culture and the Longing before being led deeper into the stedding, where they witness the massive Great Trees and the daily lives of the inhabitants. A tense confrontation occurs when three Aiel Maidens of the Spear approach the group with weapons drawn, mistaking the strangers for enemies; the standoff is only resolved when an Ogier named Juni intervenes to remind the Aiel of the Pact, causing them to lower their spears. After the Aiel depart and the Elders summon Verin, the men are shown to guest quarters where Loial panics over the prospect of being arranged for marriage by the Elders, while Rand reflects on the similarities between Ogier and human courtship customs.

Characters

• Rand (Lord Rand) — Rand rides into Stedding Tsofu, feeling a chill of refreshment and a sense of loss, and is introduced to Erith. He draws his heron-mark sword during the Aiel confrontation before sheathing it after Juni's intervention, and later discusses the implications of the Aiel's presence with Mat and Perrin.
• Verin (Aes Sedai) — Verin travels with the group and manages the entry into the stedding, instructing Ingtar to leave armed men outside. She attempts to stop the Aiel confrontation with frustrated commands and is eventually led away by Juni to speak with the Elders.
• Ingtar — Ingtar grumbles about the route but complies with Erith's request regarding armed men, ordering Uno to leave some soldiers Outside. He draws his sword during the Aiel standoff, sheathes it upon Juni's command, and observes the Aiel's adherence to the Pact.
• Perrin — Perrin rides into the stedding and asks Loial questions about the stedding before half-drawing his axe during the Aiel confrontation and lowering it. He later speculates that the Aiel are searching for Rand and listens to Rand's musings on marriage customs.
• Mat — Mat arrives looking gaunt and is healed by Verin twice. He teases Loial about Erith, expresses fear of the Aiel spears, and later discusses the possibility that the Aiel are hunting Rand with Rand and Perrin before reacting to Loial's marriage fears.
• Loial — Loial explains the nature of steddings and the Longing to his friends, and is introduced to Erith. He becomes visibly nervous in the guest quarters, fearing the Elders will arrange a marriage for him, and compares Ogier mating rituals to human ones with Rand and Mat.
• Hurin — Hurin is permitted to enter the stedding, walking with amazement at the environment. He draws a sword-breaker during the Aiel tension, sheathes it later, and enjoys the pristine air and food in the guest quarters.
• Uno — Uno accompanies the group into the stedding and is ordered by Ingtar to leave the armed men outside. He enters the forest with Erith and remains with the group inside.
• Erith (Ogier girl, daughter of Iva daughter of Alar) — Erith emerges from the trees to greet the visitors, noting the rarity of human guests and politely requesting that armed men stay outside the sacred boundaries.
• Juin (son of Lacel son of Laud, Treebrother) — Juin strides between the armed men and the Aiel Maidens, demanding they lower their weapons and reminding them of the Pact. He formally welcomes Verin and leads her away to the Elders without acknowledging Loial.
• Rhian (Aiel, Maiden of the Spear) — Rhian, an older Aiel woman with reddish hair, approaches the group with spears drawn. She uncovers her face after Juni's intervention, apologizes for the breach of protocol, and departs with her companions after retrieving a wooden bowl.