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 6: Old Fear and New Fear
NOTE: The following chapter summary comes from wot.fandom.com
Point of view: Perrin Aybara
As the nobles continue to flee, Perrin joins Faile on the dais in the Grand Hall. She obliquely suggests to Dobraine to kill Colavaere. Dobraine rejects the idea. Perrin insists that Rand wouldn’t want anything to happen to Colavaere. Faile is relieved when Perrin reassures her that Rand is on no Aes Sedai leash. They walk to their rooms and Perrin chases away Selande and her friends that attempt to follow them. Faile is jealous, fearing Perrin might be taking an interest in Berelain. She makes a scene about him asking about Berelain. The First had spread rumors that she was keeping Perrin as a pet somewhere outside the city. Colavaere had taken delight in making Faile and Berelaine attend her together for the sole purpose of causing Faile discomfort. Perrin loses his temper and makes it clear to Faile in no uncertain terms that he loves only her and how afraid he has been for her. He is angry about her jealousy. His anger seems to sway Faile’s mood from jealousy to affection, however…
Rand barges in unexpectedly and at first keeps talking about Berelain. As Perrin asks if there is anything else, he inquires whether Perrin will reconsider leading the Tairen army against Illian. Perrin says he’s not cut out to be a general. He also refers to Min‘s viewings that “twice Perrin had to be there, or Rand would go down in disaster.” Perrin thinks the first was the Battle of Dumai’s Wells, but the second is still to come. Rand appears unconcerned about the risk. Perrin changes the subject to another of his concerns, the Aes Sedai, and demands that Rand not harm them, insisting that he will not allow something to happen to them. The threat angers Rand but the Dragon Reborn promises not to, “harm any Aes Sedai who don’t deserve it.” Rand ends the discussion with an abrupt declaration that he has something else for Perrin to do, so he will only be able to rest for a few days. Alone again, Perrin and Faile carry on where they had been interrupted.
REACTION:
Faile was afraid that Rand came back as an Aes Sedai puppet. That’s… fair. She kind of represents the city as a whole in that respect because that was Rand’s concern for everyone regarding his return. Rand’s performance in the last chapter should disabuse nearly everyone of that notion. Letting the world know about male channelers is a pretty big move on the geopolitical chessboard.
This chapter lets us know that Faile has seized the opportunity to take hold of this Cairhienen and now Tairen fad of Wetlander ji’e’toh and become the one who is in charge of it. By doing this, she not only has a somewhat trained group of female fighters at her call, but she also has a LOT of very well-placed people to report information to her. She’s built a spy network in about a month’s time. Incredible. Perrin married way above his head with her.
Colavaere – we find out – took Faile in upon learning her background. She’s the daughter of one of the five Great Captains in Randland and the cousin of the Queen of Saldaea. She’s probably too big a fish to kill idly, and without legitimate fear of serious consequences. We also find out that she took Faile in because she knew about the rivalry with Berelain and thought it was funny to make the two of them share close quarters.
Just before the chapter ends, we find out that Rand has another place to send Perrin if he won’t lead the army in Tear. But where is that? We don’t know. Then we get a Perrin-Faile “reunion.” It turns out they’re both happy the other is alive and that Faile likes it when Perrin expresses his feelings with a certain amount of aggression.
Bow chicka bow wow.
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