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Chapter 2 - The Welcome

Summary

Rand al’Thor attempts to sneak out of Fal Dara keep to escape the Amyrlin Seat’s arrival, but is thwarted when Elansu Shatayan removes all his old clothing and leaves him with a set of fine new clothes that include a cloak bearing a dangerous serpentine sigil. While trying to hide his departure by stealing a horse from the stables, Rand is informed by the head groom, Tema, that all gates are sealed and no horses may leave by command of Lord Agelmar following the Amyrlin’s welcome ceremony. The chapter details the formal welcome ritual in the courtyard, where Lord Agelmar and Ronan receive the Amyrlin Seat, whose arrival coincides with the sealing of the keep, preventing departure.

Characters

  • Rand / Rand al’Thor — Rand attempts to evade the Amyrlin Seat by fleeing the keep, but is forced to change into new clothes provided by Lady Amalisa’s maids after Elansu Shatayan confiscates his old garments. He then discovers that Lord Agelmar has sealed the gates and stables, preventing him from escaping on horseback, and rushes to find his friends now that the welcome is complete.
  • Elansu (Shatayan of the keep, Elansu Shatayan) — Elansu directs servants to strip Rand of all his old clothes and replace them with new ones, firmly ignoring his protests and insisting on removing every stitch, including his boots, before allowing him to dress in private.
  • Tema (Head groom) — Tema greets Rand with excessive deference and informs him that no horses may leave the stables and all gates are closed by Lord Agelmar’s order following the Amyrlin’s arrival, effectively trapping Rand in the keep.
  • Agelmar (Lord Agelmar, Lord of Fal Dara) — Lord Agelmar stands ready to receive the Amyrlin Seat, exchanges formal greetings and pledges of welcome with her, and subsequently an order is in effect that seals Fal Dara’s gates and stables, preventing anyone from leaving.
  • Ronan (Shambayan) — Ronan participates in the welcome ceremony by rapping his staff to initiate the traditional call-and-response with the Amyrlin Seat.
  • Amyrlin Seat (Mother, Watcher of the Seals, Flame of Tar Valon) — The Amyrlin Seat arrives in Fal Dara, exchanges formal greetings with Lord Agelmar and Ronan, and accepts the keep’s pledge of loyalty.