Chapter 2 - Questions of Leadership

Summary

Thunder rumbles overhead as Perrin Aybara leads a massive column of troops and refugees across muddy highlands near the Jehannah Road, accepts starving mercenaries for food instead of wages, and learns that Master Gill diverted his supply train to Lugard due to impassable northern roads. He camps with Faile, Berelain, Arganda, and Gaul, debates his ta'veren influence and leadership qualities with his wife, and prepares to halt while scouts report an unknown presence nearby. Meanwhile, Galad Damodred wakes chained in a dark tent, severely injured from previous combat and torture, methodically cleans blood from his face to maintain dignity for upcoming questioning, and stands unflinching as captives enter. He learns that Trom, Bornhald, Byar, Golever, Harnesh, and Vordarian have killed Asunawa and turned against the Seanchan, accepts their allegiance, and orders the Children of the Light to strike camp and march for Andor.

Characters

• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Leads a massive column of troops and refugees across muddy highlands near the Jehannah Road, accepts starving mercenaries for food instead of wages, and learns that Master Gill diverted his supply train to Lugard due to impassable northern roads. Camps with Faile, Berelain, Arganda, and Gaul, debates ta'veren influence and leadership qualities with his wife, and prepares to halt while scouts report an unknown presence nearby.
• Turne — Arrives with a dozen starving companions seeking food rather than pay, carries a spiked warrior's axe, and displays a grateful demeanor when Perrin takes them into the camp for meals.
• Arganda (First Captain of Ghealdan) — Rides up beside Perrin to complain about the newly recruited sell-swords, asserts Queen Alliandre's authority over Ghealdan, and accepts Perrin's command to negotiate with the newcomers.
• Gaul — Approaches Perrin on the Jehannah Road after scouting ahead, reports finding a well-watered campsite beside a hill, and relays orders to halt the march and scout the surrounding area.
• Fennel — A farrier sent ahead with Master Gill who waits alone for five days to meet Perrin's force, explaining that impassable mud forced the supply train to divert toward Lugard via Caemlyn.
• Grady — An Aes Sedai recovering from snakebites inflicted by a bubble of evil, beginning to regain his strength enough to eventually create large gateways for the army.
• Neald — Another Aes Sedai suffering alongside Grady from the effects of the bubble of evil's snakebites during their slow march with the refugee column.
• Masuri — The only other Aes Sedai bitten worse than Grady and Neald by the bubble of evil's effects, currently recovering alongside them.
• Berelain — Marches her force onto the solid footing of the road wearing a green dress and firedrop belt, marking the apparent end of her truce with Perrin now that Faile has returned.
• Annoura — Rides near Berelain without engaging in conversation as she once did, having previously met with the Prophet Masema before his death by bandits.
• Faile — Rides up beside Perrin to discuss his growing followers and ta'veren nature, defends his leadership despite his self-doubt, notes Jori Congar carrying the wolfhead banner, and prepares to speak with him before scouts report Aiel approaching.
• Jori Congar — Rides at the front of the column carrying a red wolfhead banner on a pole taller than a cavalryman's lance.
• Galad / Damodred (Lord Captain Commander) — Wakes chained in a dark tent, severely injured from previous combat and torture, methodically cleans blood from his face to maintain dignity for upcoming questioning. Stands unflinching as captives enter, learns that Trom, Bornhald, Byar, Golever, Harnesh, and Vordarian have killed Asunawa and turned against the Seanchan, accepts their allegiance, and orders the Children to strike camp and march for Andor.
• Trom — A Child of the Light who fumbles with keys upon entering Galad's tent, unlocks his manacles after learning of Asunawa's death, and watches over him with concern.
• Bornhald — Enters Galad's tent with Trom and Byar, noting that the Children obeyed Galad's orders not to attempt a rescue.
• Byar — Enters the tent alongside the others, pointing out blood on Bornhald's cloak as a reminder of Galad's strict commands.
• Berab Golever (Lords Captain) — A tall, bearded commander who displays Asunawa's head to Galad, explains their rebellion against the High Inquisitor and Seanchan control, and pledges his allegiance to Galad as Lord Captain Commander.
• Alaabar Harnesh (Lords Captain) — A bald commander missing his left ear who dumps a sack containing Asunawa's head, citing the loss of two Commanders and Seanchan domination as reasons for turning against their former leader.
• Brandel Vordarian (Lords Captain) — A blond Andoran commander who kneels with his peers, questions what alternative they could have taken against Asunawa, and accepts Galad's command to march for Andor.
• Candeiar (Child) — An expert in wounds who enters the tent to inspect Galad's injuries after he accepts a white robe and sits in a chair.