Chapter 7 - Lighter than a Feather

Summary

Lan Mandragoran travels eastward toward the Blight with Bulen, refusing to raise the Golden Crane despite three old acquaintances—Andere, Nazar, and Rakim—who insist on following him. They exchange words about kingship and destiny before riding together into a land Lan considers destined for death. Meanwhile, Galad Damodred eats simple porridge in his tent while Child Byar reports that Perrin Goldeneyes is approaching with a mixed army of Ghealdan, Mayene, and wolfhead banners. Byar details past encounters where Perrin killed Children of the Light and raised Trollocs, urging an immediate strike, but Galad decides to gather more information first. In his own camp, Perrin Aybara eats a meat-heavy breakfast while reflecting on shifting tastes and wolf nature. Gaul arrives with scouting reports revealing a twenty-thousand-strong Whitecloak army led by its Lord Captain Commander, prompting Perrin to deploy more scouts and prepare for parley to rescue captured allies.

Characters

• Lan / Lan Mandragoran (Andra, Master Andra) — Travels eastward toward the Blight with Bulen, refusing to raise the Golden Crane despite three old acquaintances insisting on following him. The group rides together as he accepts their company into a land he considers destined for death.
• Bulen — Rides alongside his master, suggesting alternate routes and offering to visit a cousin's farm before falling silent when Lan insists on continuing eastward. He proves capable with the sword and manages his packhorse.
• Andere — Appears in hunting leathers and a black cloak, insisting he is no longer the boy Lan once berated and rides alongside him because soldiers are needed. He challenges the claim to kingship while accepting the path ahead.
• Nazar — An elderly man past his seventieth year who wears a hadori and carries a sword, stating he may do as he wishes and will only obey a king. He rides with the group toward death without hesitation.
• Rakim — A Saldaean man who laughs at authority and declares that death is lighter than a feather, making the trail ahead seem easier than expected as he follows Lan eastward.
• Galad / Galad Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) — Eats simple porridge to avoid envy among his troops and listens to Byar's report about Perrin Goldeneyes approaching with a mixed army. He resolves that they cannot ignore the threat but decides to gather more information before engaging.
• Byar (Child) — Reports that Perrin's forces are nearby and details past encounters where Perrin killed Children of the Light and raised Trollocs in the Two Rivers. He urges his commander to strike immediately, arguing that farmers will break against the Children's might.
• Perrin / Perrin Aybara (Goldeneyes) — Consumes a meat-heavy breakfast while reflecting on shifting tastes and wolf nature, then receives Gaul's report of an approaching Whitecloak army led by its Lord Captain Commander. He orders more scouts deployed and prepares to offer parley to rescue captured allies.
• Faile — Dines with her husband, questions his choice of meat for breakfast, and notes her intention to eat with Alliandre before leaving him to handle camp matters. She wears an unobtrusive gray dress and a blue stone cord.
• Gaul — Enters the tent, shares a meal, and delivers scouting reports regarding the Whitecloak army's size, leadership, and the Queen of Ghealdan's fealty. He notes the presence of Elyas Machera among the enemy camp followers.