13 Choices

Lan leads the party through thick fog to the Taren Ferry landing, where Master Hightower arrives with haulers. To deter robbery, Lan and the others make their weapons visible while Thom distracts with sleight of hand. Hightower agrees to complete the crossing for more gold upon arrival.

They embark and the haulers pull the ferry along guide-ropes across the obscured river. Rand frets about treachery and Darkfriends, but Lan judges Hightower too fearful to deal with a Myrddraal. Reaching the far bank, Moiraine promises payment for speed. Moments later, the ferry is caught in a sudden whirlpool and breaks apart. Lan compensates Hightower, who flees in fear.

Beyond a sharp boundary where the fog ends, Moiraine explains her strategy: fog cloaks the river for miles to force the Myrddraal to divide its search, slowing pursuit. Thom apologizes for questioning her, and Mat hesitantly asks about the ferry’s fate; Moiraine refuses detailed explanations but vows to deliver them safely to Tar Valon. They move on to a hidden shelter Lan previously prepared.

Lan manages the horses, warning that Moiraine’s earlier refreshment drove them beyond natural limits, so they must travel slowly while the animals recover. A Draghkar screams overhead, but searches the river, validating the fog ruse. The group retreats into the concealed woody cavern to warm themselves and rest.

Inside, Moiraine begins instructing Egwene about the True Source, saidar and saidin, and the dangers of untrained channeling. Using a blue stone as focus, Moiraine guides Egwene through her first touching; Egwene produces a faint independent light. Moiraine affirms Egwene’s strong potential and future prospects in Tar Valon, galvanizing the group’s path forward.