The Master Summoner is now leading Roke in the absence of Ged the Archmage. He vigorously opposes Orm Irian, claiming that only Roke magic can defend the Archipelago against the dragons, and that the dragons are the ones at fault.
The Master Summoner believes that the outbreak of the dreams and the threat of the dead breaking the low wall of stones must be some great act of magic, and can only be countered in the same way. He appears to have little compassion for the plight of others, but is rather concerned with his own greatness and the continuance of the state of the world as it is. As this book is also about Change, and things being mended, Brand the Summoner also directly becomes one of the obstacles in the path to reconciliation. By his refusal to even hear the wisdom of the women, Orm Irian and Tehanu the Master Summoner is opposing any chance at Healing.
