Re-Reading "The Dragon Reborn": Chapter 43: Shadowbrothers," "Chapter 44: Hunted," and "Chapter 45: Caemlyn"
Both Mat and Perrin continue to find that the world is a very dangerous place and that, no matter what they do, it's only going to get worse.
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We’re back with Wheel of Time Wednesday this week, with a trio of chapters focusing on Mat and Perrin. There’s certainly a lot of excitement in this week’s installment, as both young men find that the world around them is changing much faster than they had thought possible. While Perrin and company escape from Illian–having discovered that it is under the thrall of none other than the Forsaken, Sammael–Mat makes his way to Caemlyn, only to find that things there are as disrupted as they are everywhere else. Both young men have to reckon with the fact that the old certainties are quickly collapsing as the Dark One continues to exert an influence on the world and as Rand, arguably the most important alive in the Third Age, moves closer to his destiny.
Perrin’s part in this story revolves around his attempt to escape from Illian, all while pursued by the sinister creatures known as darkhounds. These beasts are as unsettling and terrifying as so many of the other creatures that have been spawned by the Dark One, particularly since it’s clear that there’s at least some connection between them and the wolves with whom Perrin is still able to communicate. Moreover, like so many other varieties of Shadowspawn, nearly impossible to kill. Moiraine, fortunately, isn’t someone who views herself as being beholden to the laws governing Aes Sedai, their behavior, and their use of the Power. After all, it’s not everyone who can command balefire, but when it comes right down to it, she’s not afraid to break the rules if it means that she’s going to survive to fight another day.
Speaking of Moiraine…I know I’ve said this before, but I really do think that she is a fantastic character in every way. I particularly love how this chapter gives us a bit more insight into the relationship that she has with Lan, and I couldn’t help but laugh at her claim that not even the likes of Siuan or Sheriam would be able to teach him to obey. Of course, it’s not as if Moiraine is a stranger to Lan’s ways. Of all the people that know him, she should have learned long since that when it comes to protecting her he’s going to do everything in his power, even if that means that he must disobey her orders. This is a point of conflict between these two characters that is going to come into increasing focus in future books, particularly in The Fires of Heaven and its aftermath.
Even though we don’t actually see him, Sammael is still a very prominent presence. Of all of the Forsaken, he’s the one who is most belligerent and bellicose, happy to take a hammer to any problem he encounters. Obviously this includes Moiraine, since he goes to the effort of sending an entire pack of darkhounds after her. Clearly, as far as the Forsaken are concerned, the noose is starting to tighten. Not only is Sammael in charge of Illian but, though this hasn’t been made explicit yet, there’s also a Forsaken manipulating Morgase and, through her, Andor. After all, it’s not as if even the notoriously temperamental monarch would so quickly turn her back on the Aes Sedai, no matter how angry she might be about the mysteries surrounding her daughter.
Mat’s encounter with the surly and violent guard at the Royal Palace is a potent reminder of just how much things have begun to change under the malign influence of the Dark One and the Forsaken. Now that they have begun to find influence within the highest echelons of political power, it’s only a matter of time before they begin to create even more chaos and destruction. And if even a formidable person like Morgase has already fallen under the sway of one of their number–to such an extent that she is willing to banish Gareth Bryne for standing up to her–then there’s very little chance that any other monarch, no matter how indomitable their will, would be able to do anything differently.
For Mat’s part, he continues to be the same irascible person that he’s always been, experimenting with the innards of a firework, even though knowing the danger in doing so. At the same time, he once again shows that he is at least a bit of a chivalrous side, since he is very unwilling to kill the woman that attacks them. Like both Rand and Mat, he has remarkably conservative views about women, despite the fact that he’s already seen just how powerful they can be (and ruthless, as the case of Moiraine makes especially clear). Still, there’s also something a little endearing about the fact that he holds tight to his chivalrous attitude despite all of the things and chaos going on around him. You can always expect Mat to behave in the same way no matter the circumstance, and this is what makes him so lovable and so infuriating as a character (yes, I’m finally coming around to the idea that might not be that bad, after all).
I will say, though, that I continue to find The Queen’s Blessing one of the most comfortable and cozy inns to have ever been created in fantasy. It’s just the kind of place that you can imagine staying, if you happened to find yourself in Randland. Of course, much of this is due to the presence of Basel Gill, who is as good an innkeeper as you could wish, with a firm head on his shoulders and a clear-eyed appreciation for what’s going on in the city around him. There are obviously many side characters in The Wheel of Time, but Gill remains one of my favorites. He’s an Andorman to the core, and you just can’t help but love him.
The Dragon Reborn continues to be one of those books that is quite entertaining to read, but it’s very clear that there’s not a lot of momentum going on here. We’re almost to the end of the book, and no one is in Tear yet, Rand is still groping his way forward, and the Forsaken are still doing their own thing. Somehow, though, Jordan was a master alchemist when it came to writing fantasy and, while you can be frustrated with this book at times, you’re almost never bored.
Until next week!