Chapter 23 (Wolfbrother)

"They say he can."  Four words that say so much about what Robert Jordan has in store for Perrin Aybara and yet not even everything. 

In context, this is the chapter titled "Wolfbrother" and the rest of the dialogue goes like this:

From Egwene after Elyas has explained a little about how he speaks with the wolves- "'Could...ah...could you teach us to talk to them?'

Elyas snorted again.  'It can't be taught.  Some can do it, some can't.  They say he can.'  He pointed at Perrin."

In this chapter we are introduced, to yet another awesome character in Elyas Machera.  But before that, let me rant a little bit on how time flows (or doesn't) in Randland.  If there was one thing I didn't like about this chapter it was how Perrin and Egwene were setting snares and lighting fires all over the place and then when Jordan actually mentions the time twice, in two days from the river and then two days from the ruins.  I won't mention the lack of time again, especially when characters are traveling, as I know it's a tool (or lack thereof) that many authors use (or abuse), I just found it rather annoying.  They ran out of cheese and bread on the first day and couldn't catch game with their snares or sling shot except one lousy rabbit...so they're hungry, check, tired, check, lost, double check.  Okay, I'll stop.

How they decide where they're going is a bit annoying.  The brief respite we had in the true partnership between Perrin and Egwene may not be disintegrating (I'm not sure), but Egwene seizing control without consulting Perrin does not bode well.  Little surprise there yet I mourn.

Now, Elyas and the wolves.  Jordan handled the scene with the wolves superbly, of course, letting Elyas not control the wolves, but be a friend with them.  Jordan conveyed Elyas' awkwardness with humans and although Perrin wondered if Elyas may have been mad, Elyas was at times inelegant, but never wild.  In fact, Jordan almost conveyed in Elyas the same pent up dangerous ability and alertness as Lan, but without Lan's complete control.  Meeting the wolves was flat awesome, and I can't wait to see them again.  How Jordan uses the communication between Perrin and the wolves is cool, especially the last one from Burn, where it's just "Hatred. Hatred and a taste for blood" and the chapter ends. 

Flight Down the Arinelle up next.

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