Tam al'Thor

Tam al'Thor strides on the far side of the shaggy mare, Bela, with his spear for a walking staff, paying no mind to the wind that flaps his brown cloak like a banner. He is thick-chested and broad-faced, with lined, sun-roughened cheeks and gray hair flecked with black.

Wolves and bears have come down into the Two Rivers after a terrible winter, but Tam's manner says none of them had better try to stop him reaching Emond's Field. The cart carries two small casks of his apple brandy and eight barrels of cider, the same load he delivers every year. He has taught Rand to draw an arrow to his cheek in one smooth motion.

At the inn on the day before Festival, Tam fills his pipe by the big river-rock fireplace, while four members of the Village Council wait for him and Master al'Vere to join them. When the peddler arrives, the two of them lead the Council out to meet him.