ChapterTrack

Chapter 21 - The Nine Rings

Summary

Rand al'Thor, Selene, Loial, and Hurin arrive at the Nine Rings inn in Tremonsien, where they encounter Captain Aldrin Caldevwin of King Galldrian's service, who is excavating a statue from the Age of Legends nearby. After dining and playing flute music for the gathered soldiers, Rand and his companions are assigned rooms by the innkeeper, Mistress Madwen. Selene departs secretly during the night, leaving a note for Rand explaining her departure due to her distrust of Caldevwin. The next morning, Rand joins Caldevwin's subordinate, Elricain Tavolin, and a contingent of fifty soldiers as an escort for their journey to Cairhien.

Characters

  • Rand (my Lord) — Rand arrives at the Nine Rings inn with Selene, Loial, and Hurin, where he interacts with Captain Caldevwin and plays the flute for the soldiers. He learns of Caldevwin's excavation project and is subsequently provided with an escort by Caldevwin, commanded by Tavolin, to travel to Cairhien after Selene's mysterious departure.
  • Selene (my Lady, the Lady) — Selene accompanies Rand to the inn, displaying aloofness toward the staff and suspicion toward Caldevwin. She departs the inn secretly during the night, leaving Rand a note sealed with a crescent moon and stars, stating she must wait for him in Cairhien.
  • Loial (friend Ogier) — Loial transports the chest containing the Horn of Valere disguised under his blanket. He discusses the Age of Legends statue with Caldevwin and prepares to leave Tremonsien with Rand and Hurin under the escort of Caldevwin's soldiers.
  • Hurin (my man) — Hurin carries the group's saddlebags and attempts to identify Mistress Madwen's accent. He explains the concept of Daes Dae'mar to Rand and observes the departure of Selene and the arrival of the Cairhienin troops.
  • Mistress Madwen / Maglin Madwen (innkeeper) — The lean, graying-haired innkeeper of the Nine Rings welcomes the group, serves them a spiced pork meal, and offers relationship advice to Rand regarding Selene before showing them to their rooms.
  • Aldrin Caldevwin (Captain, the officer) — A Cairhienin officer with a shaved head and long black hair, Caldevwin commands a labor force digging up a statue from the Age of Legends. He questions Rand and his companions with probing politeness and leaves a small escort under Tavolin's command for their journey to Cairhien.
  • Elricain Tavolin (the younger officer) — A young, shaved-headed officer who commands the escort of fifty soldiers. He joins Rand, Loial, and Hurin on the road to Cairhien, offering little speech but maintaining a brief smile.
  • Catrine (serving girl) — A serving girl in the Nine Rings inn who accidentally drops a lamp, causing a small fire that the innkeeper and another girl extinguish with their aprons.
  • Mother Caredwain — A woman mentioned by Mistress Madwen as having a fine hand with soothing herbs, whom Selene declines to have summoned.