The Path of Daggers: Chapter 8
Chapter 8: A Simple Country Woman
Val a'Shain
Characters: Perrin, Faile, Lini, Morgase Basel Gill, Tallanvor
Setting: Perrin's camp near the town of Bethal in Ghealdan
Point of view: Perrin
Riding back into his camp Perrin looks at the gathered people. His force is made up of Mayeners, Aiel, Two Rivers men, Cairhienin, Aes Sedai and Asha'man. All with different loyalties and their own agendas. It is not making his job easy. He also let's his thoughts wander over the new arrivals. Besides Maighdin and Lini it is made up of Sebban Bawler, a very observant man it seems, 'young' Tallanvor who seems to be very taken with Maighdin indeed and Breane who seems very attached to one of the two fellows Perrin already knows.
Back at the camp Maighdin attacks Perrin about the Two Rivers rebelling against their right full ruler until Lini makes her apologize. Maighdin is definitely more than she claims to be. Faile offers all of them to freshen up before they talk. Perrin now lets Basel Gill know he recognized him and would like a word. The former innkeeper is rather taken aback but agrees to talk Lini warns him to tell Perrin their story correctly before she goes to freshen up. She's back before Gill finishes though.
Gill tells Perrin a number of lies and half-truths about how they came to be in Ghealdan. Perrin has no way of knowing that tough. He is suspicious but accepts Gill's story. One thing Gill does tell the truth about is the Seanchan taking Amador. Apparently the rumour was true. Lini adds some details to Gill's story and when he is done she also says that they were indeed chasing Maighdin. She insists that Perrin marries Tallanvor and Maighdin, they will think him for it later. A confused Perrin excuses himself and makes his way to the tent he shares with Faile.
After he makes his way past the 'cha faile', at least their loyalty is very clear, he finds Faile talking to Maighdin. Faile offers to take the group into their service. A surprised Maighdin accepts and then retires to talk to her friends. Perrin tells Faile what Gill and Lini told him. She seems to think the marriage a good idea. The Seanchan don't seem to be much of a worry to her. Perrin will deal with them. Perrin makes another attempt to get rid of the banners after Maighdin's fierce reaction to them. Faile talks him out of it though.
Point of view: Faile
Faile sneaks out of bed to go talk to the men and women she sent into Bethal to scout. She curses Perrin's senses but manages to get out of the tent without waking him. Faile wonders if managing a husband is always as difficult as it is with Perrin. She loves him with all her heart but he confuses her at every turn.
When she gets to the fires of the cha faile her scouts have just returns. Their report tells them that the townspeople are desperate. Trade has slowed to a trickle and barely enough food is being brought into the city to feed everybody. The Queen makes quite a show of being confident and not afraid though. After they are done reporting Faile starts giving new orders.
Point of view: Morgase
Lying under one of the wagons for the night Morgase, Maighdin now, considers her position. Tallanvor comes to visit her. He wants to know what madness drove her to accept service. Morgase tells him that if he doesn't like it he is free to move on. Tallanvor figures out she still means to play politics even in her position. When he asks what she means to do though, she can't answer. Again Morgase points out he can leave at any time. Tallanvor tells her he will leave if she says go but Morgase can't. He kisses her and tells her he would have given up hope if she had. After he leaves a furious Morgase plans to put Tallanvor in his place. There has to be something she can do for Elayne as well.
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