Chapter 21 - The Nine Rings

Summary

Rand al'Thor, Loial, and Hurin arrive at the inn The Nine Rings in Tremonsien, where they are greeted by the innkeeper Maglin Madwen and questioned about their travels by the Cairhienin Captain Aldrin Caldevwin and his soldiers. Rand plays the flute for the gathered men, and later, after Selene departs secretly during the night leaving a note, the group is met in the morning by a new officer, Elricain Tavolin, who commands a detachment of fifty soldiers to escort them to Cairhien under the pretense of protecting them from the dangers of the Foregate.

Characters

• Rand (my Lord) — Rand and his companions enter the inn and are questioned by Captain Caldevwin regarding strangers and a statue. He plays the flute for the inn's patrons after Mistress Madwen notices a flute case in Hurin's bundle and initially makes the request to him. After Selene departs, he asks Hurin why Captain Caldevwin was suspicious, accepts an escort from Officer Tavolin and prepares to ride to Cairhien, noting the strange turn of events.
• Selene (my Lady, the Lady) — Selene accompanies Rand into the inn, displaying a chilling demeanor that silences the room. She declines to play music and later excuses herself, claiming illness, before leaving secretly during the night to await Rand in Cairhien, leaving behind a note with a crescent moon seal.
• Loial (friend Ogier, the Ogier) — Loial enters the inn carrying the heavy chest of the Horn disguised under his blanket. He eats heartily and explains the concept of Daes Dae’mar to Rand. He carries the chest upstairs to their room and later straps it to his saddle, dismissing Captain Caldevwin's comment about the burden.
• Hurin (my man) — Hurin carries all the saddlebags into the inn and sits at the table with the group. He identifies the innkeeper's origin and explains the political maneuvering of the Great Game to Rand. He stands by with the horses in the morning and mounts up for the ride to Cairhien.
• Maglin Madwen (Mistress Madwen, innkeeper) — The lean innkeeper greets the group and serves them a meal of pork with yellow peppers. She notices the flute case and initially asks Rand to play, then withdraws the request when he accepts. She offers relationship advice to Rand regarding Selene and shows them to their room.
• Aldrin Caldevwin (Captain, Captain Caldevwin) — Captain Caldevwin, distinguished by his shaved head and officer's coat, enters the inn and interrogates Rand and his group about strangers and a statue under excavation. He learns Rand's name, expresses admiration for Selene's beauty, and later returns in the morning to command an escort of soldiers for the group, though he disappears before they ride out.
• Elricain Tavolin (the younger officer) — A younger officer with a shaved head and a banner crossed by two white bars, Tavolin commands the detachment of soldiers that meets Rand in the morning. He bids the group farewell to ride to Cairhien and smiles briefly at Rand before leading the procession out of the village, asking if they should ride.
• Catrine (serving girl) — A serving girl who giggles while staring at the group, Catrine accidentally drops a lamp, causing oil to splatter and catch fire. Mistress Madwen scolds her for being careless while mooning over a young fellow, and later Catrine is ordered to take Selene's saddlebags.
• Red — Red, Rand's stallion, is present at the inn. In the morning, Rand climbs onto Red's saddle to join the escort, and the horse is ready to lead the group out of Tremonsien toward Cairhien.