Chapter Seventeen (Watchers & Hunters)

My favorite part of this entire chapter is towards the end, but it'll have to wait.  Not a lot of meat happened in the chapter, but fun stuff happened.  The boys danced with Nynaeve and Moraine - certainly intimidating experiences for them now.  Later on, no time for dancing, but I wonder how the men they've grown into would handle it.  No more stumbling around for Rand?

Rand's shame upon remembering that when facing the Fade, he'd had his sword…Jordan even mentions it the entire chapter.  How one of the boys had to sit with the cloaks and sword while they were dancing.  And then Rand forgot about it.  How can a reader expect a village boy to remember it though?  But then, wouldn't a sheep herder at least be able to respond to some threats to the sheep, and so not be prey himself?  Rand's even been practicing his sword for about a week with Lan - he's been carrying it around, the scene with the Whitecloaks earlier made us very aware he had it, and then "oh, oops, I'm going to run now." I mean, Rand thought on his feet so well when the Trolloc burst through the front door on the farm, or is this just an entirely different situation where it's okay if Rand runs and cowers?    Personally, I find myself scratching my head a little. 

Moving on.  Whitecloaks, again?  By now I was sure they were an integral part of the storyline, and it's interesting to see that Jordan uses Bornhald so early, but he enjoyed continuity wherever he could get it.  Besides his use of prophesy and foreshadowing, that's another thing that I really admire about Jordan.  He was able to name his characters, remember where he placed them, and use them over and over again, and give them background stories that the reader probably didn't even hear the quarter of.  This is a large part of what makes his world so alive. 

Seriously, Nynaeve, grow up.  My response to Nynaeve's outburst at Moraine for the Aes Sedai being so "callous" and not going back to help anyone at the burning inn.  Moraine did warn Fitch.  My points to Nynaeve are:  Number 1 - things might not be so bad as they appeared from far away and it could even be a trap.  Number 2 - Even if it wasn't a trap, going back could potentially expose Moraine to the people that she helped, and there were Whitecloaks in town that she had just exposed herself to. Number 3 - Going back would be leaving the boys exposed, and Moraine had just convinced Nynaeve that the boys were in real danger. Number 4 - Whatever journey Moraine was on was definitely more important than one small inn, and the boys were involved in it, so keeping them safe was top priority.  And I’m not just saying all of this because I've read through the books; when I read this the first time I was really annoyed with Nynaeve for making it hard on Moraine, all of those points can be made just by reading The Eye of the World through this chapter.  So, Nynaeve, grow up.  Aes Sedai aren't just responsible for one village - they're kind of responsible (well, take responsibility) for a whole lot more. 

Now for my favorite part of the whole chapter, and my first really wise impression of Perrin in the book.  All three boys have lines, Mat's is first.   

"…are we ever going to be safe again?"

"Not until we get until Tar Valon," Rand said.  "That's what she told us."

"Will we be safe then?"  Perrin asked softly.