Chapter 40 - A Making

Summary

Perrin Aybara sits alone grieving Hopper's death but channels his sorrow and anger into forging Mah'alleinir, a massive Power-wrought hammer, with Neald's assistance. He formally accepts leadership of his diverse army, raises the wolfhead banner, and positions his forces on the heights above the Whitecloak camp. Berelain reveals to Faile that Rand al'Thor politically promised her to Perrin, then asks for help in preventing an ambush, but Faile refuses based on Perrin's honor. As Galad Damodred prepares his men for a breakout after discovering Perrin's army has surrounded them, Trollocs and Myrddraal emerge from the fog below. Perrin realizes the Shadowspawn were targeting the Whitecloaks, orders his archers to loose, and raises his new hammer as the battle begins.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Grieves Hopper's death but channels his sorrow and anger into forging Mah'alleinir, a massive Power-wrought hammer. He formally accepts leadership of his diverse army, raises the wolfhead banner, and positions his forces above the Whitecloak camp to intercept an approaching Shadowspawn horde.
• Faile — Consoles Perrin over his grief and refuses Berelain's request to dissuade him from attacking the Whitecloaks, trusting in his honor. She rides with Perrin to the battlefield heights and watches as he prepares for combat.
• Gaul — Reports that the Maidens have detected the Whitecloaks preparing for battle despite their attempts at stealth. He later stands ready as Perrin positions his forces on the ridge.
• Alliandre — Sits beside Berelain among the gathered supporters and formally swears an oath to stay behind the battle lines during the upcoming engagement.
• Berelain — Reveals to Faile that Rand al'Thor politically promised her to Perrin, then asks for Faile's help in preventing Perrin from ambushing the Whitecloaks. She rides to the heights with Perrin but is ordered to remain out of the fighting.
• Elyas — Hunts rabbits at night before joining Perrin on the ridge. He departs for the Last Hunt, sharing a parting exchange with Perrin about their shared nature and future meetings.
• Wil al'Seen — Returns carrying a wolfhead banner he refused to burn earlier. He helps raise the standard high as Perrin formally accepts his followers' oaths of allegiance.
• Jori Congar — Stands among the Two Rivers men watching the forging, later holds a shielded lantern for Perrin on the ridge and points out the emerging Shadowspawn in the fog.
• Azi al'Thone — Stands with Jori Congar to help unfurl and hold the wolfhead banner aloft during Perrin's acceptance of command.
• Arganda — Points out an ideal ambush location on a map of the Jehannah Road, later commands the left flank during the deployment of Perrin's army.
• Gallenne — Advises Arganda on the strategic value of the riverbed terrain and takes command of the right flank as Perrin's forces take position above the Whitecloaks.
• Hirshanin — Runs to retrieve a map of the Jehannah Road at Perrin's request and delivers it to him near the forge.
• Aemin — Works at a horse-pulled forge until Perrin takes over his apron and gloves to begin hammering steel. He departs once Perrin assumes control of the anvil.
• Neald — Channels to maintain the precise temperature required for forging Mah'alleinir, then later senses channeling activity in the fog below the heights.
• Grady — Sits with the Wise Ones circle during the forging and rides up on the ridge to alert Perrin that he senses channeling near the emerging Shadowspawn.
• Masuri — Sits with the Wise Ones circle as they channel to assist in the creation of the new hammer, later riding to the battlefield heights.
• Sulin — Sent through a gateway by Neald to scout the Whitecloak camp and returns to report their movements to Perrin.
• Trom — Wakes Galad Damodred to inform him that Aybara's army has appeared on the heights above their camp.
• Byar — Confronts Galad about his decision to hold a trial instead of attacking immediately, accusing him of leading them to destruction before departing in anger.
• Galad / Galad Damodred — Wakes to find his camp surrounded and his men caught unprepared by Perrin's forces. He struggles with doubt over Morgase's influence but resolves to order a coordinated breakout against the ambush.
• Stepper — Perrin's mount, ridden to the gateway and later positioned on the ridge as the army prepares for battle.