Traveling the hard road | Wheel of Time | Chapters 17 on to 34
My apologies. I couldn't stop reading. I have read this book before but I didn't remember all of this. No wonder people like to read these sagas more than once!
One thing about Robert Jordan's writing, and about this series in particular, for me is that I am completely invested in the characters. Rand and Mat, in particular, and especially this difficult journey on the road to Caemlyn.
They start out as hesitant young men after having been separated from someone they aren't sure they can trust, and in the midst of their suffering from horrendous dreams, attacks by Trollocs, Fade, and the dark lord himself, they find themselves wishing they were once again united with the untrustworthy Aes Sedai woman and her fearless warder.
These sweet boys from Two Rivers, now sick, cold, wet from sleeping in the rain and hiding in the woods, would give their fate to the Red Ajah if it only meant they could have a warm bed, a hot meal, and a goodnight's sleep without the Tormentor knocking on the windows of their minds.
We've lost Thom, but Rand holds onto the gleeman's coat and his flute, just like Rand holds on to his father's sword, for Thom had become their best friend. These are the only securities they have in a brutal world where they don't know who is against them. It seems like everyone is. Thom taught them to sing and juggle for a meal. They still wonder about his advice to be wary of Tar Valon. Advice that confuses them because Moraine and Lan saved them from the Trollocs and the Fade and promised to keep them safe from a destiny they're fearful to fulfill.
As I read, I too am suspicious of anyone that crosses Rand and Mat's path. And I can tell you, it gets worse. But alas, we've a long journey ahead.
You can't just read one book. No. You have to read fourteen books, because you'll be on this road until it ends, or until it loops back around to that quiet town which they may never see again.
Yes, I'm on chapter 34 and I will probably not post again until the end of book 1.