Perrin has another Ba’alzamon dream, so he, Elyas, and Egwene part company with the Tuatha’an.
Over in gypsy-land, Perrin finds that the Tuatha’an make such slow progress that it’s a wonder they ever get anywhere. It makes him nervous because he knows that dark forces are in pursuit. The last thing he wants is to bring harm to such a peaceful people.
The women in the camp take to performing a suggestive dance in front of Perrin. They are amused that it makes his face turn red, so more and more of them join in as the days go on. By day three, it’s less of a dance and more of a coordinated campaign to see if they can get Perrin to faint. Unfortunately, Perrin being Perrin, he does nothing about it. We don’t get to hear about which woman he thinks is most attractive. He doesn’t strike up a conversation with any of them. If this chapter is truly reflecting Perrin’s experience, then all he does is sit, blush, and silently watch the women dance like a boy who wandered into the wrong tavern. If it weren’t for the blushing, I would be ready to question if he’s even attracted to women at all. Does this mean he is introverted and shy to a fault?
Or maybe…
I’m starting to wonder if Perrin is secretly attracted to Egwene. From the start of the book, it was always a forgone notion that Rand and Egwene were crushing on each other. But Min kind of poured water on that fire, didn’t she? Maybe Perrin harbors secret feelings for Egwene that he has pushed to the side out of respect for Rand. But if Egwene is going to run off with some pacifist Tinker freak? Just look at how Perrin goes out of his way to shit all over the good time Egwene is having with Aram. Either he’s jealous that Egwene is way more comfortable with the opposite sex than he is, or he’s upset that she has her sights set on another man.
One night when Perrin has a Ba’alzamon dream, Elyas announces that it is time for them to strike out on their own, and they part ways with Raen’s group.