The Mystery of the Horn of Valere
Just when you thought The Wheel of Time couldn’t get any more complex, the Amazon Prime Video series throws a curveball in its Season 2 finale. The last moments are pure unadulterated fantasy, with Mat Cauthon (Dónal Finn) sounding the much-anticipated Horn of Valere, summoning the mythical Heroes of the Horn to the battlefield. And oh boy, do they make an entrance! But who exactly are these legendary figures?
“The Heroes of the Horn are the great heroes of the Pattern, bound to the Horn of Valere. They are people who are long dead and have not yet reincarnated, but in previous lives, they fought honorably for the Light.”
According to the lore, these heroes aren’t just figures for show. When summoned by a Hornsounder—like Mat—the Heroes fight of their own free will. And here’s the kicker: they can refuse to fight if summoned by the forces of darkness. Though immortal, they aren’t invincible; taking too much damage could send them to Tel’aran’rhiod, the World of Dreams, to heal.
The Most Iconic Heroes of the Horn
The identities of the Heroes of the Horn are as diverse as they are legendary. The line-up includes Amaresu, who wields the Sword of the Sun and is a nod to the Japanese sun goddess Amaterasu. Blaes of Matuchin, on the other hand, is high nobility who never succumbed to the dark side despite being marked by the Dark One.
“Among other named Heroes of the Horn are Mikel of Pure Heart, who is likely a reference to the archangel St. Michael, as well as Otarin, Paedrig the Peacemaker, Rogosh Eagle-eye, and Hend the Striker.”
Yet, the two most recognizable Heroes of the Horn are Artur Hawkwing and Birgitte Silverbow.
A Closer Look at Artur Hawkwing
Artur Paendrag Tanreall, better known as Artur Hawkwing, isn’t just a name thrown around casually.
“Born in Shandalle, Artur Paendrag Tanreall was the son of King Myrdin Paendrag Maregore and Queen Mailinde Paendrag Lyndhal.”
He united the lands west of the Spine of the World under a single empire. Despite his remarkable achievements and universal admiration, his legacy is tainted by tragedy and betrayal. His descent into mistrust, fueled by a Darkfriend, led to a disastrous fallout with the Aes Sedai and triggered the War of the Hundred Years after his demise.
Who is Birgitte Silverbow?
“Birgitte Silverbow is a well-known heroine in the tales and legends of The Wheel of Time.”
She’s the bold archer who isn’t afraid to flaunt it, enjoying her time in taverns and having a tendency to admire attractive men openly. Often paired romantically with Gaidal Cain—a legendary hero-swordsman—Birgitte’s life cycles have seen many battles, and oddly enough, she prefers the ones where she dies young. Go figure!
What’s Next?
The series left us hanging with so many unanswered questions. With the Heroes of the Horn now in play, there’s no telling where the next season will lead. Their introduction adds a brand new layer to the complex world of The Wheel of Time.
So, until we can binge-watch Season 3, we can only speculate about the future of these newly introduced characters.
Both seasons of The Wheel of Time are available for streaming on Prime Video. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re missing out on an epic fantasy rollercoaster!
