The Warders are with Verin Mathwin and Alanna Mosvani, who are hiding from the Whitecloaks. When Tam al’Thor and Abell Cauthon show up, Perrin learns the Cauthons and Luhhans are imprisoned in a Whitecloak camp by Watch Hill. Meanwhile, at the Whitecloak camp, the reader learns that Perrin’s family was actually murdered by Ordeith.
Assurances. Yes, let’s talk about those, because I’m feeling the need for some assurances. Perhaps some assurance of time well spent? Or maybe an assurance that words will be used with wisdom and economy? How about the humble assurance that the story is going to finally go somewhere? Throw me a goddamn bone.
Perrin recognizes the two Aes Sedai as Verin Mathwin and Alanna Mosvani. Verin he has met, having traveled with her for much of The Great Hunt. Alanna he knows by reputation — Egwene said she’s infected by the same Rand obsession that grips Elaida. Perrin has dealt with Aes Sedai enough to know that their motivations are selfish and opaque, so he is not eager to cooperate. Instead, he is amusingly rude, gruffly demanding to know why they are here in the Two Rivers. Faile chides him and apologizes for his behavior:
FAILE: Please forgive him. Moiraine Sedai spoiled him. She has an easy manner, I suppose, and she let him get away with things.
You see? Even Perrin’s love interest treats him like a child. After this chapter, I don’t blame Perrin for smacking her around a little. Pity I can’t reach through the page and join in.
Verin claims they came to the Two Rivers to search for more women with the ability to channel. After Moiraine found such strong ability in Egwene and Nynaeve, it stood to reason that there might be more in the region. After only being across the Taren for a week, the Whitecloaks moved into the area and they had to go into hiding. Is it plausible? Sure. Are they telling the whole truth? Probably not!
Tam al’Thor and Abell Cauthon show up, and Perrin walks outside to speak with them in private. The men report seeing animal carcasses lying about — evidence that Slayer is active in the real world as well as in dreams. They also report that Mat and Abell’s family is imprisoned along with the Luhhans in a massive Whitecloak encampment near Watch Hill. Perrin decides freeing them will take priority over dealing with the Trollocs.
Meanwhile, Dain Bornhald is not having a good day. The men he sent along with Ordeith returned to camp as corpses, and this isn’t the first time it has happened. Ordeith’s perspective:
ORDEITH: Those pesky Trollocs sure are a bother!
Bornhald belts him across the face with a glove. He tells Ordeith that he covered up what happened at the Aybara farm because he had to, but he won’t tolerate his own men being murdered. Ah, look at you, Mr. Jordan! Look who’s using dramatic irony. Ordeith titters all the way back to his tent as he reflects on the joy it had been to murder the Aybara family.