Seeking intel on the situation in the Two Rivers, Perrin goes looking for wolves in the World of Dreams. In the dream, he chases a man who is killing wolves to the Tower of Ghenjei, but Hopper and Birgitte warn him away from going inside. Hopper explains that no wolves are left in the Two Rivers because the man — Slayer — has been murdering them all.
Even with the Ways behind them, things don’t become less awkward between Perrin and Faile. She sets up camp with Bain and Chiad, forcing Loial to endure some girl talk that leaves them cackling. Perrin tries to fire back by asking Gaul to tell him a funny story, but the best Mr. Stoneface can come up with is cheery philosophical bon mots like, “If you plan for the worst, all surprises are pleasant.”
Realizing he isn’t going to win the “ain’t never gonna get me down” contest, Perrin turns his attention to the wolves. They should be able to provide intel on any Shadowspawn activity in the area. He’s puzzled to find none present in the area, so he does the fashionable thing and turns to the World of Dreams. Once asleep, Perrin discovers he can cover great distances in a single stride. Strangely, there are no wolves to be found here either — not until he stumbles upon a man who is skinning a wolf’s corpse.
The man flees, and Perrin gives chase across great distances until a gleaming silver tower looms above them. The man must have disappeared inside, so Perrin starts looking for a way to pursue. Hopper and Birgitte appear to warn him that this is the Tower of Ghenjei, and it is far too dangerous to enter. Birgitte explains that it is a doorway into the realms of the Aelfinn and the Eelfinn. These are the snake people and the fox people, presumably the same ones we’ve already seen in the redstone doorframes.
Birgitte disappears, and Hopper advises Perrin to stay away from the Two Rivers. The mystery man — Slayer — “walks the dream there” and all the wolves who didn’t flee are dead. Whoops! If Perrin’s plan for liberating the Two Rivers had anything to do with summoning an army of wolves, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.