Greetings to all, I have been reading this site for quite a while but this is my first actual post. I did not find this on any previous thread, but apologies in advance, in case I missed something.

 

So, with greetings AND apologies out of the way, here's my question:

 

In Path of Daggers, Rand gets a message from Taim talking about the numbers currently enrolled at the Black Tower. At the end, Taim writes something like:

 

"I harvested that blackberry bush myself. A small bush, and thorny, but surprisingly (fruitful??) for it's size."

 

To what is he referring? Rand seems to understand what he's talking about, and although I've read the books several times I can't figure out the reference.

Hello,

The blackberry bush is the Two Rivers. I understand that, although Logain doubted it, Rand sent Taim to take every male who is able to channel and bring them to the Tower, which Taim happily did. I take it the roughness had to do with Rand showing to the world how little he cares about his former home, though Taim really did take even near children.

Wow, that's interesting. I have completely missed that. Is that all in Path of Daggers, or is it covered previously? Thanks!

You have read later books than PoD too? As I recall it is referenced in Toveine, Rand and Perrin's povs, but if you haven't read all of the books, I won't say what and where. I think this is scattered all over the place, I'm not sure in which books each scene was.

I have read all of the books, though I've obviously missed a few things, especially if Rand AND Perrin AND Toveine have all had something to say about it. I'm off to do research! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction!

:D , in that case, I think, in Toveine's pov when she and Gabrelle hear the Asha'man speaking of new events, Rand later when speaking to Logain, and Tam mentions it to Perrin.

As a minor supporting point, Saml al'Seen is at the gate to the Black Tower when Pevara and co. show up at the end of KoD. He's all of maybe 13 or 14, described as barely more than a child.

The 'thornines' to me, always suggested the reactions of the Two Rivers folk to Taim actively recruiting in the Two Rivers.

It was brought up when Grady brought Tam to Perrin in KoD. I had missed it too, until it was clearly stated there.

 

And then, as RAW says, the al'Seen boy was there, and a point is made of how young he is.