Chapter 29 - A Terrible Feeling

Summary

Berelain, Faile, and Alliandre stroll near Perrin’s camp discussing the impending trial with Galad Damodred and Berelain’s growing infatuation with him. Their conversation is interrupted when a magical anomaly erupts, causing weapons to fly uncontrollably until soldiers discover that throwing dirt on them neutralizes the effect. Meanwhile, Morgase challenges Galad’s rigid black-and-white morality by recounting her own past mistake of executing an innocent man, successfully persuading him to consider delaying the trial. Perrin surveys his wounded camp and learns that Tam must depart immediately for a secret matter concerning Rand. In Caemlyn, Elayne watches Aludra test prototype cannons on the city walls; the successful demonstration of explosive iron spheres leaves Elayne eager to fund them fully, while Birgitte voices a grim premonition about the world changing irrevocably.

Characters

• Berelain (First) — Strolls near the camp discussing the upcoming trial and openly admires Galad’s appearance, struggling to suppress her growing infatuation while navigating political rumors.
• Faile — Reflects on her unwavering loyalty to Perrin, questions Morgase’s past deception as a servant, and instinctively fights off a magical weapon anomaly by throwing dirt to neutralize it.
• Alliandre — Joins the conversation, comments on Galad’s striking appearance, and expresses shared feelings of betrayal regarding Morgase’s hidden identity.
• Elayne / al'Vere (Your Majesty) — Is carried on a litter to the city walls to witness Aludra’s cannon tests, promises full Andoran resources for the weapons, and demands strict secrecy and an oath from the inventor.
• Galad / Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) — Listens to Morgase’s counsel, questions his own black-and-white worldview regarding justice and the One Power, and agrees to consider postponing the trial.
• Perrin / Aybara — Walks through his camp assessing wounded soldiers after the weapon anomaly, learns of Berelain’s minimal casualties, and receives a cryptic warning from Tam about departing for Rand.
• Gaul — Accompanies Perrin, reports that channelers are exhausted but healing the wounded, and notes his own minor injury from deflecting his own arrow.
• Aravine — Walks beside Perrin, relays that Galad will consider delaying the trial, and carries a lantern anticipating a long night of camp duties.
• Tam / al'Thor (Tarn) — Arrives at camp smelling worried, abruptly informs Perrin he must leave immediately for a secret matter involving Rand and Aes Sedai, and departs after expressing pride in his son.
• Birgitte / Silverbow — Accompanies Elayne to the wall, observes the devastating power of the new artillery, and voices a solemn premonition that the world has fundamentally changed.
• Aludra — Demonstrates prototype cannons firing explosive iron spheres at distant targets, explains her calculations, and accepts Elayne’s funding in exchange for secrecy regarding the designs.
• Sulin — Fights off her own flying spears during the weapon anomaly, discovers dirt neutralizes the effect, and helps spread the solution through the camp.