Chapter 6 - Questioning Intentions

Summary

Morgase serves tea at a strategic meeting in Perrin’s pavilion while reflecting on her lost queenship and the necessity of remaining hidden to protect Elayne’s claim. The council discusses burning a strange village, relocating refugees through gateways, and dispatching scouts to Cairhien. Perrin orders all wolfhead banners burned, declares himself merely a blacksmith, and approves Edarra’s proposal for a linked gateway circle after accepting her blunt criticism regarding his leadership focus. He unexpectedly commands Morgase and Tallanvor to marry immediately, prompting her to refuse the decree and assert her independence before reminding him to consult his wife on personal matters. As the meeting concludes, Sulin reports a large Whitecloak force approaching on the road ahead.

Characters

• Morgase / Maighdin — Serves tea at a strategic meeting while reflecting on her lost status and the necessity of remaining hidden to protect Elayne’s claim. She refuses Perrin’s command to marry Tallanvor, asserting her independence and reminding him to consult his wife before issuing personal decrees.
• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Hosts a council to plan refugee relocation and scout deployment, ordering all wolfhead banners burned and declaring himself merely a blacksmith. He approves Edarra’s proposal for a linked gateway circle after accepting her blunt criticism regarding his leadership focus.
• Faile — Questions the wisdom of burning the banners but supports sending messengers to Rand and dispatching Balwer for supplies. She advises Perrin to consult her before commanding personal matters, highlighting her role as his strategic complement.
• Elyas — Sits at the meeting alongside Tarn al'Thor, observing the proceedings without speaking.
• Tarn / Tam / al'Thor — Addresses Perrin as son and warns that the men place too much stock in the banner, promising to lead the Two Rivers recruits home once gateways function properly.
• Sebban / Balwer — Provides logistical figures on gateway capacity and suggests sending scouts to Cairhien before volunteering to fetch supplies from a local school.
• Jur / Grady — Reports his recovery from illness and agrees to attempt forming a linked circle for larger gateways, noting Neald’s need for more time.
• Nevarin — Confirms the village is ash and all Blight-tainted plants have been destroyed, defending the thoroughness of the Wise Ones’ work against Perrin’s initial tone.
• Seonid — Speaks freely without reprimand from the Wise Ones and proposes sending a scout party to Cairhien, where Rand was last known to be.
• Masuri — Sits with the Wise Ones and taps her cup when nervous, prompting Morgase to refill it.
• Annoura — Sits beside Berelain and occasionally glances at the Wise Ones during the meeting.
• Gallenne — Sits beside Berelain and receives a tea refill from Morgase without speaking.
• Alliandre — Inquires about returning her people to Jehannah and argues that Ghealdan should march under Perrin’s banner, swearing personal loyalty to him rather than Rand.
• Arganda — Comments on the impassable mud conditions and asks Perrin for the estimated distance to Lugard.
• Berelain — Supports Alliandre’s point about the impending Last Battle and notes her continued alliance with Perrin despite his desire to part ways.
• Aravine — Suggests prioritizing the departure of refugees who wish to return home immediately.
• Edarra — Proposes linking Asha’men with Aes Sedai and Wise Ones to create larger gateways, criticizing Perrin’s lack of focus on his duties before earning his approval.
• Tallanvor — Lurks outside the tent, enters when summoned, bows formally to Perrin, and departs angrily after Morgase refuses the forced marriage order.
• Sulin — Reports the approach of a large Whitecloak force on the road directly ahead of the camp.
• Wil — Carries the wolfhead banner into the tent and receives orders to burn every copy, leaving with a look of betrayal.
• Neald — Mentioned as still recovering from snakebites but eager to practice channeling through a linked circle.
• Camaille / Nolaisen — Named by Faile as an additional member of the scout party bound for Cairhien.
• Pel / Aydaer — Named by Seonid as another participant in the upcoming Cairhien scouting mission.
• Elayne — Referenced in Morgase’s internal monologue as the current ruler of Andor whose safety and legitimacy would be compromised by Morgase’s return.
• Lini — Remembered by Morgase for originally suggesting that Perrin arrange her marriage to Tallanvor.
• Niall — Recalled by Morgase as the source of news regarding Gaebril’s death and al’Thor’s hold on Caemlyn.