The Eye of the World: Chapter 40

Chapter 40: The Web Tightens

Val a'Shain

Characters: Rand, Elayne, Gawyn, Galad, Tallanvor, Morgase, Elaida, Gareth Byrne

Setting: The Royal Palace in Caemlyn

Point of view: Rand

When Rand regains consciousness after his fall off the wall, he is in the company of a girl a few years younger than him and a boy who is obviously closely related to her. They are both very finely dressed. The girl tends to Rand's cuts, obtained after climbing the wall and falling off it. It takes Rand some time to realize he is in the company of Elayne, the daughter-heir of Andor and her brother Gawyn.

While they are talking, Elayne and Gawyn's half brother appears. Galad has come looking for them because they left their quarters to see Logain against the Queens orders. Galad, an extremely handsome man, sees Rand as an intruder. Elayne tells him not to call the guard but Galad does the "right thing", as he always does, according to Gawyn, and calls them. Before Elayne and Gawyn can sneak him out of the garden the guard arrives.

The guard, led by an officer named Tallanvor, think Rand is a serious threat. Elayne steps between Rand and the guardsmen and claims guest right for Rand. Tallanvor wants to lock Rand up until the Captian-General Gareth Byrne has time to question him. Elayne wants to be led before the Queen and tells Tallanvor she will join Rand in the cell if he intends to proceed. The stale-mate is broken by a messenger summoning them all to appear before Queen Morgase.

On their way to the Queen, Rand notices the Gardens are green and flowering despite the weather. Elayne tells him this is the work of Elaida, the Aes Sedai advisor of the Queen. They are led to one of the smaller halls, Gawyn seems to think this is a favorable sign.

Elaida and Lord Gareth are in the presence of the Queen when they are led before her. Morgase begins by lecturing Elayne and Gawyn about their responsibilities and disobeying her orders before she turns her attention to Rand. Elayne requests to speak and tells her mother what happened. She calls Rand a loyal Andorman. The Queen is skeptical. She knows very well the Two Rivers do not consider themselves part of her Realm.

Elaida has a close look at Rand and points out that he doesn't have the look of a Two Rivers man and that he carries a heron marked blade. This doesn't support Rand's claim to be a shepherd. She Foretells that Rand will be at the center of the turmoil the world will face soon. When the Queen asks the Captain-General for his opinion, he councils to keep Rand locked up until Logain and Elayne and Gawyn, who will be traveling to Tar Valon to receive training, are well on their way.

Queen Morgase, however, feels Caemlyn is becoming too suspicious and wants no part of it. She recognizes Two River speech, both Elaida and Byrne have never heard it, and can't see any evidence Rand means them any harm. She decides Rand should be seen out of the palace unharmed but warns him to be more careful in future. Elayne and Gawyn see him out. Elayne tells him she thinks Rand is handsome and favors him with a dazzling smile. Gawyn seems to think this amusing. Rand asks Gawyn why everybody has a hard time believing he is from the Two Rivers. Gawyn replies Rand looks like an Aiel.

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