19 Shadow’s Waiting

The company pushes east along the Caemlyn Road as horns reveal Trollocs closing from behind. Lan scouts, confirming several fists with Fades driving them forward. Moiraine refuses fires and speed that might reveal them, suspecting an ambush ahead. When horns sound before and behind, she chooses to turn north toward the Arinelle despite the risks.

In the broken hills, scouts close in. The group crests a rise to find a Trolloc line led by a Myrddraal. Lan charges, the others follow, and a melee erupts. Rand fights clumsily from the saddle while Moiraine burns Trollocs with her staff. Lan duels the Fade; when the Myrddraal is beheaded, the Trollocs convulse, buying the group a moment to break free as more horns converge.

With pursuit mounting and three Fades massing Trollocs nearby, Moiraine draws on an angreal. She hammers the earth, sending rippling upheavals that tumble Trollocs, then raises a roaring wall of fire to bar the valley. Spent, she lets Lan help her away. The company flees north while the flames hold, and Moiraine recovers slowly with Nynaeve’s herbs.

As they catch breath, Egwene questions Mat’s battle cry. Moiraine identifies it as Manetheren’s ancient warcry, noting the Two Rivers’ old blood still sings. Trolloc horns return; Lan insists on a safer refuge. Moiraine casts a weave to mislead scent and tracks, then Lan leads them carefully over hard ground to avoid sign.

Toward evening they reach vast, vine-choked walls of a dead city. Moiraine names it Aridhol, now called Shadar Logoth, and agrees—reluctantly—that only there will neither Trolloc nor Myrddraal follow before night. They enter the ruined gate to seek shelter.