Chapter 26 - Parley

Summary

Perrin Aybara leads his diverse army onto a grassy plain opposite the Whitecloak forces, using Asha'man and Wise Ones to blast the ground before them as a psychological warning rather than an attack. He announces himself via voice weave, demands equal parley, and prepares a pavilion for negotiations after Neald's attempt to create a gateway fails. Galad Damodred, initially urged by Bornhald and Byar to attack immediately, agrees to delay battle and ride to the meeting after recognizing the potential to avoid bloodshed. Inside the pavilion, introductions reveal Berelain of Mayene, Alliandre of Ghealdan, Faile, and a servant named Maighdin. Galad is stunned to discover Maighdin is actually Morgase Trakand, alive and well. After tense discussions over past killings and justice, Perrin proposes Morgase as an impartial judge for a trial. Galad accepts the proposal on the condition that his captives are released, setting a formal trial for three days later in the same pavilion.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara / Aybara (Lord Aybara) — Leads his army to the plain, orders ground blasts to intimidate the Whitecloaks, demands parley, and proposes a trial judged by an impartial party after Neald's gateway fails.
• Stepper — Trots onto the Jehannah Road carrying Perrin toward the battlefield while the army follows.
• Grady — Reports that gateway weaves are failing, enhances Perrin's voice to broadcast across the plain, and confirms he can manage the weave after seeing the M'Hael do it.
• Neald — Claims readiness for battle, reports that skimming and traveling failed, blushes when his gateway attempt fails, and offers to try again before Perrin sends a rider instead.
• Gaul — Relays orders to summon the Aes Sedai and Wise Ones forward, stands with Maidens of the Spear near the front lines.
• Edarra — Notes Perrin's politeness means he wants something unwanted, questions his desire to avoid fighting, and listens as he explains his plan to prevent bloodshed.
• Faile / Faile ni Bashere t'Aybara — Rides at Perrin's side, questions his changed demeanor, warns that the Whitecloaks have already judged him, and rests a hand on his shoulder during negotiations.
• Arganda (First Captain of Ghealdan) — Arrives to question the tactical wisdom of revealing their power early, smells hostile, but holds his tongue when Perrin explains the psychological advantage.
• Tam — Receives orders to prepare the Two Rivers longbowmen for a volley and relays the command to his men.
• Seonid — Sternly refuses Perrin's request to blast the ground, citing the One Power as a weapon that could harm the Whitecloaks.
• Berelain (Lady First) — Arrives at the parley pavilion, captivates Galad with her beauty and draws a faint blush from him before he forces his focus back to the political discussion.
• Alliandre (Queen of Ghealdan, Blessed of the Light, Defender of Garens Wall) — Arrives at the parley pavilion and formally bows to Galad, confirming her status as the reigning monarch of Ghealdan, later agrees to grant legal binding for the proposed trial.
• Galad / Galad Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) — Debates with Bornhald and Byar before deciding to delay battle for parley, rides to the pavilion, and is stunned to discover a servant is actually his living stepmother Morgase. Ultimately agrees to a trial judged by her after securing the release of Perrin's captives.
• Bornhald — Urges Galad to attack immediately rather than parley, driven by anger over his father's death, but reluctantly follows orders to attend the meeting.
• Byar (Child Byar) — Acts as Galad's guard, vehemently opposes the trial proposal fearing it is a trap, and freezes when questioned about Morgase's impartiality.
• Harnesh — Receives orders from Galad to take command and lead an unmerciful charge if Galad falls during the parley.
• Morgase / Morgase Trakand / Maighdin (Defender of the Realm, Protector of the People, High Seat of House Trakand) — Disguised as a servant, she is recognized by Galad and confirms she has renounced her throne for Elayne. Agrees to serve as an impartial judge for Perrin's trial if he submits to it.
• Robb Solter — Rides back to camp to fetch Berelain, Alliandre, and supplies for the parley pavilion while Maidens trail behind him.