ChapterTrack
🌐 English

Chapter 34 - The Wheel Weaves

Summary

Thom Merrilin returns to his inn in Cairhien to find his companion Dena murdered by two assassins, whom he kills in self-defense before learning from Zera that King Galldrian was responsible and that Lord Barthanes has been killed by unknown assailants. As smoke rises from the city's granaries, Thom resolves to flee. Meanwhile, in Falme, Padan Fain presents the Horn of Valere and the dagger to High Lord Turak, who opens the chest and reveals the items to the Empress's potential use but refuses to sound the Horn himself, dismissing Fain after the Darkfriend feigns subservience and warns of Rand al'Thor's approaching forces.

Characters

  • Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom returns to his inn in the Foregate and discovers Dena murdered in her bed. He kills two assassins who enter his room, then learns from Zera that the killers served King Galldrian and that Lord Barthanes has been found dead. Despite Zera's urging to flee, he leaves for the stables as smoke rises from the granaries.
  • Dena — Dena is found asleep in Thom's room and is revealed to have been murdered, lying with a gash across her throat and a dark pool of blood beneath her.
  • Zera (innkeeper) — Zera arrives at Thom's room after he has killed the assassins. She reveals that Lord Barthanes was found dead and that the attackers worked for King Galldrian. She urges Thom to flee the city to save his life.
  • Fain / Padan — Fain rides into Falme and presents the Horn of Valere and the dagger to High Lord Turak. He lies about his family's loyalty to Artur Hawkwing to gain trust. Turak opens the chest, accepts the items as trophies for the Empress, but refuses to sound the Horn, dismissing Fain after he warns of Rand's pursuit.
  • Turak (High Lord) — High Lord Turak receives Fain in Falme and inspects the Horn and dagger. He explains that he will not sound the Horn to avoid offending the Empress and her favored daughter Tuon. He allows Fain to remain in Falme temporarily to amuse him with tales of his lineage.
  • Huan (man with the braid) — Huan, the pale-haired man with a braid, stands beside Turak. He catches Fain's wrist when he tries to touch the dagger and forces him to leave Turak's presence when permitted.