The Eye of the World: Chapter 1

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Author: Dinn da Noor

An Empty Road

Chapter Icon: Wheel and Serpent

Point of View: Rand

Setting: The Quarry Road and Emond's Field.

Characters: Rand al'Thor, Tam al'Thor, an unknown rider, Wit Congar, Daise Congar, Bran al'Vere, Cenn Buie, Matrim Cauthon.

Outline

Rand and Tam al'Thor transport apple brandy to Emond's Field for Bel Tine. A suspicious stranger watches Rand. In the village, they learn of other strangers.

Summary

Rand and Tam al'Thor walk down the Quarry Road with a cart and horse. Even though spring should have arrived, the wind is still carrying an icy chill sending gusts of cold through Rand. He is holding a bow and arrow, ready to draw quickly. The winter has been bad, with wolves and bears hunting in the Two Rivers. Tam and Rand are transporting apple brandy and apple cider to the Winespring Inn for use during Bel Tine. As they walk, Rand gets a feeling that he's being watched and tries to shrug it off. But as the feeling grows stronger, he looks over his shoulder, and sees a black-clad, cloaked figure on a black horse.

The rider is totally covered in his cloak so that no part of him is showing. When he looks at him, Rand feels that the rider hates everything that's alive, but him above all things. He stumbles, and Tam asks him what's wrong, but when they look down the road again, it is empty. Tam reminds him of the flame and the void, a thing he has taught Rand. He should concentrate on one flame and feed all of his passions in it until his mind became empty, and focus on the void.

They finally arrive in Emond's Field, where things are being done ready for Bel Tine. Wit Congar stops them and asks Tam what to do with the village's Wisdom, Nynaeve al'Meara. The Congars and Coplins are well known for being complainers and troublemakers. He is stopped by his wife, Daise Congar, who tells him not to meddle in Women's Circle business. As they continue, they walk past the Green, where older women are erecting the Spring Pole. When they reach the Winespring Inn, Bran al'Vere, innkeeper and the Mayor, greets them. Cenn Buie appears and the three men starts talking about the Wisdom.

Mat Cauthon hides behind the cart so only Rand can see him, and they start talking. Rand finds out that Mat also has seen the stranger on the horse and while they discuss him, Tam spots Mat and gets him to help Rand with unloading the cider. He tells them that a gleeman has arrived in the village to entertain at Bel Tine, something that cheers the boys up after talking about the rider.

Notes

Mysteries

Who is the strange Black coated rider who seems to hate Rand then disappears?

Tam’s knowledge of the Flame and the Void –

Is it just something he picked up outside, or is it uncommon even for people outside the Two Rivers?

Why is the Winespring Inn tiled? Who fixes it when it breaks?

Common themes

Men and women

Men and women meddle in each others affairs and neither really thinks the other capable of running their own business.

Two Rivers folk

• The villagers believe that Taren Ferry, which is nearby is very different and the folk there are untrusting
• It is noted how the people of the Two Rivers could give mules lessons and teach stones

Smoking

• All the adult males seem to smoke a pipe

Miscellaneous

The Sand Hills at the foot of the Mountains of Mist were once the shore of an Ocean. It seems reasonable to assume that the ocean vanished during the Breaking

Characters

First Appearance

Rand, Tam, Bela, Wit Congar, Daise Congar, Bran al'Vere, Cenn Buie, Mat

First Mention

Aginor, Dav Ayellin, Elam Dowtry, Thom, Nynaeve, Egwene, Marin al'Vere, Perrin, Jon Thane

Character Development

Mat

• Mat is quickly established as a thrill seeker who shirks responsibilities and rarely thinks through the effects of his actions.

Other characters

• Keeping his word is important to Tam

Wildlife

Animals

Bears, Badgers, Cows, Horses, Ravens, Sheep, Squirrels, Wolves

Plants

Apples, Nettles, Stinkweed

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