What I like is that Rand and Tam are walking to the village - Rand is alone in his head - it isn't Jordan telling the reader that the Spring hasn't come yet, it's Rand thinking that winter has lasted too long. It isn't Jordan telling the reader about the boys' adventures to the Mountains of Mist, it is Rand reflecting on them.
Jordan doesn't tell the reader that Nynaeve is too young for her position (before the reader has even met her) he has Wit Congar (of the intermarried Congars and Coplins, complainers and troublemakers so bad they've probably heard of them down to Deven Ride and Terren Ferry) tell the reader. Jordan doesn't tell the reader that men and women have far separate political lives, Daise Congar does.
And maybe it's rather to be expected that an only boy and only child from the farm from whom much is expected in his small world (see, "He'll follow you on the Village Council one day, Tam…" would be more responsible than a town boy who has siblings and far fewer responsibilities and more time on his hands to get into mischief - see Mat. My first time through I didn't see the difference - two boys, one gets into trouble lots, and one doesn't. Yet - when needed, Mat still helps Rand take the brandy downstairs, he doesn't try to say "find us when you're done."
The chapter sets up both Rand and Mat's sense of responsibility. Rand has an innate sense of it and Mat has a reluctant acceptance of it, but once accepted, never shied.
All in all, plenty of character introductions, some calm before the storm - but the pressure is there in evidenced by the long winter already and everyone skittish (even complaining about the missing storks). And reminds me once again why Mat is my favorite character and always has been.
I'm halfway through the next chapter, let's go!
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