The Great Hunt - Chapter 21 : The Nine Rings
Before I Read!
Symbol Meaning: it’s the harp symbol. It probably is referring to the instruments. Rand played the flute at past inns and I wonder if it’ll be just Rand perhaps that puts on the show. I believe they’ll put on a show for the residents at the inn to make a little extra money perhaps for their travels while they’re there.
Chapter Title Meaning: The chapter is titled The Nine Rings this makes me think they’ll stay at the inn and that they’ll have to play once again for their food and lodging and hope they get tips as an extra bonus. I also believe the people at this inn will be the most sketchy based on what we’ve been told about the residents and how dirty the inn is so far.
What Just Happened? (My Chapter Notes)
Italicize quote. Floatie Thoughts.
Section 1
I wasn’t expecting soldiers to be in the common room of the inn. This is the first time I’ve noticed soldiers were present and crowded.
The innkeeper Maglin Madden seems like an older woman than the innkeepers we’ve seen so far. She happily welcomes them to her inn.
Looks like the innkeeper is giving them rooms and a meal and is escorting them to their table.
I noticed they lied to the innkeeper about the Horn. I’m betting they did this to not draw attention that they might already possess it.
The innkeeper probably doesn’t trust men after what happened because her husband left her the dirty inn and left his brother with his money. I noticed her husband probably didn’t completely value her at all.
The innkeeper associated Hurin with a servant (most likely thinks he’s less of a person than like Rand and Seleneare) and she is probably thinking why do they want an Ogier to eat with them and serving girls are bringing the food.
Section 2
Rand, Hurin, Loial, and Selene seem to be eating like kings and queens since the food seems much better than what they were used to(based on how the food looked and probably smelled wonderful),”The pork was cut in small bits, mixed with long strips of yellow peppers, and peas, and a number vegetables and things he did not recognize, all in some sort of clear, thick sauce. It smelled sweet and sharp, both at the same time.” The group seemed to want seconds but Selene so that’s must’ve meant they really enjoyed the meal.
The innkeeper noticed Thom’s flute; she thought Hurin played the flute (he doesn’t know how but Rand does), but the innkeeper is thinking lords don’t play the flute and Rand performs at the inn.
Rand is thinking that everyone thinks he’s a lord when really he’s just a shepherd as is thinking he has the right to be performing and he is, “I’m not a lord, my Lady. I’m a shepherd, and I play the flute in common rooms.”
Rand plays the songs ``‘The Old Two Rivers Leaf,”’ “‘Old Jak’s Up a Tree,”’ and “‘Goodman Priket’s Pipe.”’ —>> could these be Swordforms and could The Nine Rings perhaps be one?
- Did Robert Jordan include one with a pipe since he was a pipe collector in real life or just a coincidence? Who knows………
Rand learns that the tunes have different names/words in different places. It also looks like Rand finishes playing the flute.
Section 3
The officer comes over to Rand; notices the sword as well as the heron's Rand fears. The officer's accent reminds him of Moiraine. Rand wonders if Moiraine actually let him go on purpose and speculates whether she’s following him or is waiting for him somewhere,”Did she really let me go? I wonder if she’s following me. Or waiting for me.”
- This makes me think Moiraine might be training him to see how he handles himself without her present perhaps.
Rand introduces himself to the officer and he’s shocked how young Rand is with a blade master’s sword. The serving girls cleaning up in the background. The officer's name is Gareth Bryne.
- Bryne associates Young with lots of responsibility.
Gareth Bryne apologizes to what he said to Rand, “‘Of course. Young, to hold so much responsibility.”’ but meant to say, “that he came to it young”. Selene introduces herself.
- “came to it young” the officer is probably referring to the fact that he acquired the blade very young.
Catrine starts crying and drops an oil lamp and creates a fire but they put it out. The innkeeper assumes one day Catrine will “burn it down” and the innkeeper always thinks she has an excuse for everything that goes wrong but Catrine never mishandled a lamp(I’m thinking she’s daydreaming something similar to what Egwene sees in her dreams about Rand and sees the man in the mask).
The innkeeper could at least have a sense of understanding and not assume the worst.
The innkeeper has a nice room for Selene and Rand but Selene insists on rooming by herself ; the serving girls go to get Selene’s things from Hurin.
Rand and Caldevwin about the orb
- from the Age of Legends
-the king has ordered the crystal orb to be moved to outside the capitals gates
The group leaves the village in the morning; the officers' men ride with Rand’s group to Cairhein. The innkeeper has Selene taken care of and has a room for the 3 boys. The innkeeper suggests Rand taps on Selene's door at night and tells her it was his fault she doesn’t want to see him. Rand thinks about how Egwene would kill him if she knew he thought of smashing Selene and I doubt Selene would kill him if he did it.
- the three boys all have agreed to stay in the same room to keep watch of the chest and no one can sleep if someone isn’t awake guarding it.
Section 4
The innkeeper takes the three of them to a room and Loial carries the chest and Hurin carries the luggage and the instruments and the innkeeper has another bed brought for Loial.
- I think it was smart for Loial to put the chest under the bed. Hurin set out the saddlebags.
I don’t trust Caldevwin at all and the “Great House of Games” at all and I believe he thinks the group is suspicious because I think he thinks they might have the horn he may be after.
- I also think Caldevwin and Selene are working together to steal the horn and dagger back from Rand and I believe Caldevwin is also a potential Darkfriend.
Rand doesn’t understand the “the great game” exactly and they think Selene will know more about the “game”. Rand also seems very confused and might think Caldevwin is connected to something bigger perhaps.
Section 5
Selene leaves in the middle of the night supposedly and leaves a note for Rand; the letter is sealed with a wax seal with a white crescent moon and stars on it. The innkeeper tells Rand he should’ve taken her advice.
- The letter says, “I must leave you for a time l. There are too many people here, and I do not like Caldevwin. I will await you in Cairhein. Never think that I am far from you. You will be in my thoughts always, as I know that I am in yours.”
- I don’t think Selene wrote it and I believe Caldevwin forged the letter; I think this because Caldevwin’s banner has a single white star on it but Rand is certain that Selene wrote the note. Seems kinda sketchy if you ask me.
- I also believe Selene left for other reasons that Caldevwin isn’t telling the group.
The two officers have tons of soldiers to accompany the group of people and the soldiers have a sharp contrast between armor and helmets. Elricain Tavolin will be the groups escort.
- Caldevwin is probably eyeing Loial because he’s carrying the chest with the horn.
Rand tells Caldevwin Selene left and they don’t understand how she left undetected.
- Maybe she had help getting out of the village using a not well known exit point underground.
Rand thinks everything is not going how he expected and everyone is headed to the city of Cairhein.
What’s Next?
Future Predictions for POV Character: It’s from Rand’s POV in this chapter. Everyone is being accompanied to the city of Cairhein and Selene has mysteriously left the village undetected in the middle of the night.
Hope they find Selene.
What’s Next?
Future Predictions for POV Character:
It was from Rand’s PoV. The group is on there way to the city of Cairhein.
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