Chapter 10 - After the Taint
Summary
Perrin conducts morning rounds of his elevated camp near the Jehannah Road, discussing the Whitecloak capture of his people and supplies with Elyas and Grady. He inspects the guard posts before visiting the Aiel section, where Neald successfully links with Edarra and Masuri to create a stable gateway by strengthening saidin weaves with saidar. Grady requests leave to visit his family at the Black Tower after revealing that the taint has vanished for him and Fager, fundamentally altering the Asha'man's fate. A messenger announces Dain Bornhald approaching under a flag of peace, prompting Perrin to lead a disguised party including Tam, Gaul, Sulin, Edarra, and Grady to the road. Galad Damodred rejects parley, demanding immediate battle or threatening the captives' lives. Perrin honors the oath of safety and returns to camp, while Galad observes Perrin's unsettling eyes and privately resolves to strike immediately rather than wait for the Last Battle.
Characters
- Elyas โ Walks at Perrin's side during camp rounds, dismissing concerns about Gill's capture and validating strategic delays against the Shaido.
- Grady โ Reveals to Perrin that the taint has vanished for him and Fager, freeing the Asha'man from inevitable madness; requests leave to visit his wife Sora and son Gadren at the Black Tower.
- Neald / Fager Neald โ Successfully links with Edarra and Masuri to create a stable gateway, discovering he can strengthen saidin weaves with saidar without channeling himself.
- Edarra โ Sits with Neald to facilitate the linked gateway circle, smelling curious and wary as the experiment succeeds.
- Masuri โ Participates in the successful gateway circle alongside Edarra and Neald, though she appears sick and smells of fear at the outcome.
- Rand / al'Thor โ Briefly appears in Perrin's vision as he reflects on Grady's revelation, riding through a city with Nynaeve before vanishing.
- Gaul โ Joins the disguised party heading to meet the Whitecloak commander, serving as one of the five who ride ahead under a flag of peace.
- Sulin โ Attends the parley alongside Perrin and his companions, remaining part of the small diplomatic group despite the tense standoff.
- Dain / Bornhald โ Rides to Perrin's camp under a flag of peace to deliver an ultimatum from his commander, refusing parley and demanding immediate battle or the execution of captives.
- Galad / Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) โ Meets Perrin at the road, rejects negotiation in favor of combat, and privately resolves to strike immediately rather than wait for the Last Battle after observing Perrin's unsettling eyes.
- Fager โ Mentioned by Grady as another Asha'man whose taint has mysteriously vanished alongside his own.
- Sora โ Referenced by Grady as his wife, whom he hopes to see again now that the threat of madness is gone.
- Gadren โ Mentioned by Grady as his young son, whose appearance Grady fears he will no longer recognize upon returning home.
- Montem al'San โ Serves as one of Perrin's personal guards for the day, trailing behind during his morning rounds.
- Azi al'Thone โ Serves as one of Perrin's personal guards for the day, trailing behind during his morning rounds.
- Hu Barran โ Stands watch at a guard post alongside Darl Coplin, offering a sloppy salute to Perrin.
- Darl / Coplin โ Stands watch at a guard post alongside Hu Barran, his sloppy salute and scent of embarrassment reflecting camp gossip about Perrin's past infidelity.
- Berin / Thane โ Mentioned as a guard who had to be physically prodded awake by Perrin the previous night.
- Jori / Congar โ Mentioned as a guard whom Perrin suspects might be sneaking sips of strong drink while on duty.
- Faile โ Noted by Perrin as having remained unaware of his secret departure to meet the Whitecloaks, allowing him to move without worrying about her safety during the quick trip.
- Nynaeve / al'Thor โ Appears alongside Rand in Perrin's fleeting vision, riding beside him through a muddy city street.