ToM: Parley

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Perrin POV#

Perrin rides Stepper leading his army down the Jehannah Road, Mayeners, Arganda and Alliandre's Ghealdanin, Two Rivers men, and Aiel. Faile is in the back with the Wise Ones, Aes Sedai and Cha Faile. Grady and Neald are with him. They tell Perrin that they can no longer make gateways.[1] Perrin has his hammer. To Hopper, a weapon is a weapon. Not for Perrin. A hammer can kill or create. The meet the Whitecloak force and he sends Gaul to bring the Wise Ones, Aes Sedai and Two Rivers men to the front. Seonid refuses to help even scaring the Whitecloaks. The Wise Ones and Asha'man act and the ground in front of the Whitecloak force explodes. Then Tam has the Two Rivers longbowmen fill the trench with arrows. The Whitecloaks are in disorder. Arganda is annoyed; he wanted to attack. Grady amplifies Perrin's voice and he asks for one last parley. Perrin sends Robb Solter back to camp to bring a large pavilion as well as Alliandre and Berelain. The air smells wrong. Slayer is around. Traveling does not work. Perrin does not want to fight until he understands what all is going on.

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Galad POV#

Galad studies the arrow-filled trench. Many Whitecloaks do not believe in the Three Oaths but Galad lived in the White Tower and he knows. It must have been the Asha'man and Aiel channelers. Bornhald and Byar are angry, but Galad agrees to the parley. He orders Harnesh to attack without mercy if it turns out to be a trap.

He rides out with Bornhald, Byar and fifty guards. Perrin is in the pavilion with three Aes Sedai[2] several Aiel women[3] in shawls and Maidens. Then he freezes at the sight of the most beautiful woman he has ever seen.[4] Perrin introduces her as Berelain. She is also smitten by Galad.[4] He also introduces Alliandre and Faile. Galad is confused. Perrin must be Shadowspawn but all these people follow him. Galad introduces himself. Perrin tells him that Elayne now has the throne. Galad is here to discuss Perrin and his army. Perrin says no, it is only him and the fact that he killed two Whitecloaks. He swears he had nothing to do with Geofram Bornhald's death and thought him an honorable man. Galad asserts that Perrin attacked the men without provocation but Perrin admits it was because they killed Hopper. Galad was shocked when he learned that Egwene had been with him.

They seem to be at an impasse. Servants begin serving tea. Perrin offers to stand trial. Galad refuses. There is no one impartial to judge. He prepares to leave but he turns when he hears a gasp. It is Morgase. He embraces her while thinking that he killed Valda for a crime he did not commit. Perrin and the others are shocked to learn her true identity. Galad wants to rescue her but Morgase says Perrin is a good man and she has more to fear from the Whitecloaks. He asks her to accompany him and she agrees. Perrin then asks if Galad will accept Morgase as judge and he agrees. Even without Perrin in custody, a trial is important. Otherwise they are no better than Asunawa. Galad asks Alliandre if she will make the trial legally binding in her country and she agrees. Perrin agrees if Galad will release his captives. The trial will be in three days.

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