Perrin felt a sharp sinking feeling. He recognized this man. Dain Bornhald.

“I come to speak with the criminal Perrin Aybara,” Bornhald announced in a loud voice, pulling to a stop.

“I’m here, Bornhald,” Perrin called, stepping out.

Bornhald looked at him. “It is you. The Light has delivered you to us.”

“Unless it has also delivered you an army three or four times the size of the one you have now,” Perrin called, “then I doubt very much that it will matter.”

“We have in our possession people who claim fealty to you, Aybara.”

“Well, you can let them ride on back to our camp, and we’ll be on our way.”

The young Whitecloak turned his mount to the side, scowling. “We have unfinished business, Darkfriend.”

“No need for this to turn nasty, Bornhald,” Perrin said. “The way I see it, we can still each go our own way.”

“The Children would rather die than leave justice undone,” Dain said, then spat to the side. “But I will leave that for the Lord Captain Commander to explain. He wishes to see you for himself. I have been ordered to come and tell you that he is waiting beside the road a short ride ahead. He would like you to meet with him.”

“You think I’m going to walk into such an obvious trap?” Perrin asked.

Bornhald shrugged. “Come or do not. My Lord Captain Commander is a man of honor, and swears by oath you will return safely—which is more than I’d have given a Darkfriend. You may bring your Aes Sedai, if you have them, for safety.” With that, Bornhald turned his mount and galloped away.

Perrin stood thoughtfully, watching him retreat.

“You’re not really thinking of going, are you, son?” Tam asked.

“I’d rather know for certain who I’m facing,” Perrin said. “And we did ask for parley. Maybe bargain for our people back. Burn me, Tam. I have to at least try before attacking them.”

Tam sighed, but nodded.

“He mentioned Aes Sedai,” Perrin said, “but not Asha’man. I’ll bet he doesn’t know much about them. Go have Grady dress like a Two Rivers man and tell him to report to me, along with Gaul and Sulin. Ask Edarra if she’ll join us too. But don’t tell my wife about this. We five will go on ahead and see if the Whitecloaks will really meet with us peacefully. If something goes wrong, we’ll have Grady ready to get us out by gateway.”

Tam nodded and hurried away. Perrin waited nervously until Tam returned with Gaul, Sulin and Edarra. Grady came a few minutes later, wearing a brown wool cloak and brown and green clothing borrowed from one of the Two Rivers men. He carried a longbow, but walked like a soldier, with his back straight, his eyes keen as he looked about him. There was a particular air of danger to him that no common villager would bear. Hopefully, it wouldn’t spoil the disguise.

The six of them broke away from camp, and blessedly, Faile didn’t seem to have heard what was happening. Perrin would bring her if there was a longer parley or discussion, but he intended this trip to be quick, and he needed to be able to move without worrying about her.