If you haven't read the book, or the whole series,
why not join in and read along with the rest of us? You can find links to
everyone else’s thoughts at Dab of Darkness.
This week we read through to the end of Chapter 20.
1) In this
section of the reading, we learn that Perrin and Mat are also having wicked
dreams. Add to that, Min's visions for each of those in the small party.
Prophesy, portents and dreams are playing a bigger and bigger role in this epic
tale. Are you enjoying this plot device?
I like the way that we, and The Dark One, are still
guessing about which of the lads is the Dragon Reborn and what role the other
two will play. At the moment it seems like all of them are equally important,
but only if they are together, which is a nice change from the usual trope of
‘The Chosen One’. I wish I could stop seeing similarities with Tolkien, but
this is similar to the important roles played by the rest of the Fellowship in
Frodo’s success.
Min’s visions hint at lots of interesting aspects
of the future or their destinies, which will keep us alert for those things to
appear. I like this effect of prophecies in books, as they keep us looking for
ways that they are being fulfilled. It also gives me confidence that the author
has a larger plot to lay out over the series and is not simply making it up as
he goes along! :D
2) The
Whitecloaks (AKA Children of the Light) make their first real appearance in the
tale and of course, Mat has to play one of his tricks. Funny? Dangerous? What
did you think of Rand's reaction?
Mat’s tricks are very funny to him, but his rashness
is starting to get annoying. As people trying to keep a low profile, his prank
with the Whitecloaks was extremely stupid. Also, his sudden decision to act,
without saying anything to Rand, placed his friend in real danger and drew very
unwanted attention. I have a horrible suspicion that his tricks are going to
cause serious injury soon.
3) Nynaeve
found them! What do you think Moiraine and Nynaeve said to each other behind
that closed door at the inn?
If only I could have been a fly on that wall!
Although Nynaeve is very strong willed and
opinionated, I doubt that she got the best of Moiraine. This made me think that
it could be the ultimate definition of “If looks could kill!” :D
4) The party
has to do a swift exit from the inn because of the Fade Rand saw during his
milk run. How do you think they were found?
There is Mutch in the stables who seems very
grumpy, although he might just be like that with everyone, so it seems much
more likely that it was the man who was watching them while they danced. His
badly scarred face and intent scrutiny make him an ideal candidate for being a
darkfriend. He might not have Min’s talents, but he could certainly spot
newcomers from the Two Rivers and pass that information on to the Fade.
5) Moiraine
burns a lot of power in these chapters: appears to become a giantess to step
over the city wall; a wall of flame to hold off the Trollocs; laying a false
trail; setting wards in the spooky city. Do you think this shows the limits of
her powers, or has she got more to give?
We have certainly been seeing more of her powers,
and they are very impressive. It is difficult to imagine that she could draw
much more because she had to use the angreal
to accomplish so much, but she might be able to do more with a more powerful
one.
6) A lot
happens at Shadar Logoth, where the party hopes to hide from the Trollocs and
Myrddraal. What do you think Mordeth is? And the misty Mashadar? As Lan
contemplates, the Myrddraal must drive the Trollocs into the city to search for
them, but what is driving the Myrddraal?
I think that Mordeth is precisely what Moiraine
says he is, as I cannot think that his story can be any more unpleasant than
that. The Mashadar is certainly very scary, but I hate to think what it is. The
story suggests that it is a physical manifestation of pure evil and it is horribly
lethal. I can understand why both the Trollocs and Myrddraal are unwilling to
risk encountering it. I dread to think what can scare the Fades enough to make
them enter the city.
7) This
section certainly leaves us on a cliff-hanger with the party separated.
Worried? Perrin and Egwene found each other, but then galloped headlong into
the river. Mat, Rand, and Thom made it onto a boat, The Spray, captained
by Domon. Now Captain Domon makes a comment about the Trollocs following him;
why do you think that is?
I am not really worried, as it seems far too early
in the book for everyone to be killed! :D
It looks like it will be quite some time before
they meet up again, possibly not until they all reach Whitebridge or even Caemlyn.
We know that Perrin has survived his swim in the river, but I am a little
concerned about Egwene, although we do not know if she actually went into the
river as well, so she might be stuck in amongst the Trollocs.
It does seem strange that Trollocs have been
chasing the boat already. I can only assume that he is carrying someone or
something that is drawing their attention, although I have no idea what it
could be.
My Own Question
Am I the only one who thinks that Mat has brought a
piece of treasure out of Shadar Logoth?
