The Path of Daggers: Chapter 7
Chapter 7: A Goatpen
Val a'Shain
Characters: Perrin, Faile, Berelain, Annoura, Gallene, Seonid, Aram, Edarra, Lini, Maighdin, Teryl
Setting: Countryside near the town of Bethal in Ghealdan
Point of view: Perrin
Perrin is overlooking the town of Bethal in Ghealdan. Rand sent him here to negotiate with Alliandre, Queen of Ghealdan. She doesn't have the strength to keep the forces of the Prophet out of her land. The town is closely guarded by her forces. Perrin knows taking his whole force into the town will probably trigger violence. He needs to send an envoy. The problem is who, Faile and Berelain both think they are the best choice. Seonid thinks it should be an Aes Sedai.
Everybody is still on edge about the lace of the one power that streaked the sky half a week ago. Nobody knew what purpose it served but since it included both halves of the Power most assume it was the Forsaken's doing. Riding through a country plagued by the Prophets brigands and Whitecloak patrols coming in over the border from Amadica does little to ease their fears. Rumour has it Amador has fallen and Niall himself is dead. Perrin doesn't know what to make of that.
He takes a decision and sends Berelain, her Aes Sedai advisor Annoura and the commander of the Winged Guard Gallene to Aliandre. Berelain considers it a victory over Faile. Faile doesn't get angry until Perrin tries to apologize though. After seeing Berelain off the group returns in the direction of their camp.
On the way Aram points out a group of brigands attacking a group of travellers. Perrin intervenes with the help of Edarra. The brigands scatter in every direction and one of the travellers tries to run as well. Perrin follows her and brings her back. When he returns to the group she is introduced to him by Lini, one of the other travellers as Maighdin. Teryl appears a moment later with one of the Brigands he caught. They turn out to be the Prophet's men. When the Warder shows Perrin some trophies in the form of ears of killed men and women Perrin gets very angry at the man. The only reason he doesn't hang him on the spot is that he can't prove the trophies belong to the captured man. Perrin announces that Rand send him to end such things done in his name and that he would hang any man he catches doing so. He sends the man away with that message to the prophet. So much for secrecy.
Although Maighdin had initially intended to travel on she decides to accept his invitation to rest a while at Perrin's camp after hearing Perrin tell off the prophet's man. Perrin tries to hide his surprise, especially after her recognizes two of the men in her company who have been trying to keep out of sight. It must be ta'veren work.
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