Welcome back to my re-read, recap, and reaction to Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. This post will only have spoilers through the current chapter.
You can find my previous chapter recaps HERE.
Chapter 4: Into Cairhien
NOTE: The following chapter summary comes from wot.fandom.com
Point of view: Perrin Aybara
Perrin is impatient as Rand‘s party nears the city of Cairhien. He notices Chiad avoiding him. Perrin gets the strange idea that if he brings Swallow, Faile‘s mare, safely into Cairhien, Faile will be safe. Min and Loial both vainly try to ease his fears. Loial’s trying gets him to say that he can hardly wait to be married to Erith so he can tend her. Loial gets embarrassed about this statement and accuses Rand and Perrin’s being ta’veren for pulling it out of him.
On the way Perrin notes that the drought brought on by the Dark One is even heavier and the people are bedraggled.
When they come near the city, Dobraine confirms Colavaere‘s banner flying, so she has to have taken the throne. He tells about the coronation festival and that the people in the city could riot when Rand disturbs that. Dashiva tries to get Rand to remain with the army and send someone else into the city, to no avail. Perrin deduces from Dashiva’s jittery scent that he is quite mad. Rand goes to the city with Loial, Min, Dobraine, Nurelle, some Maidens, all of his Asha’man (except Flinn), Perrin, and Aram.
Just before the city, Perrin notices that the Foregaters once again live outside of the city in crudely built huts. The party enters Cairhien unhindered and unchallenged because of the coronation festival. At the Palace, the guards get wrapped up in Air by the Asha’man so as not to alert the people inside. The servants inside just curtsy or bow and seem to ignore them. In the entry hall they encounter Camaille Nolaisen, Selande Darengil, and a handful of others that follow the Cairhienin version of ji’e’toh. Camaille tells Rand that the nobles all are in the Grand Hall of the Sun for the third Sunset Convocation. Dobraine explains that means the coronation took place nine days ago. Perrin cannot restrain himself any longer and asks Selande where Faile is. She says that Faile is with the queen, as she is one of her attendants. Rand asks Selande to lead on to the Great Hall. He intends to dispense justice to all who deserve it.
REACTION:
The first half of this chapter a lot of description about their ride into the city. They confirm from a distance that the Aiel story is accurate and tat Colavaere is queen after they see her banners flying. The tension of the chapter is the debate over how to proceed and with whom to proceed. Min and Loial insist over Rand’s protests that they go with him. Rand insists over the Asha’man protests that they march into the city instead of traveling in via Gateway.
They decide to go in a very small group to avoid having the city gates closed in their face. They can’t wait to learn the location well enough to Travel, or else that would also give Colavaere time to plan. So they just march in with a small group. Min and Loial’s presence – Perrin thinks – reduces the concern that their party means trouble, even if some people seem to have some idea of who Rand must be given that he is clearly a Wetlander escorted by a few Maidens.
Basically… nothing really happens in this chapter except a bunch of walking from point A to point B, but we’re set up for a good next chapter. The Cairhienen and Tairen nobles are all in one place, Rand is about to walk in and surprise them, and Faile is now one of the new Queen’s attendants. (Very suspicious, Lady Faile!)
“I am here to see justice done to all who deserve it.” – Rand al’Thor