12 Across the Taren

Racing up the North Road under moonlight, Lan leads while Rand rides rear guard, watching for Trollocs, a Myrddraal, or the Draghkar. Rand worries Bela may fall behind and silently wills strength into the mare as the company pushes past Watch Hill, where festivities briefly falter at a distant scream.

When the Draghkar swoops with a chilling cry, the horses panic. Moiraine remains composed, and Lan readies for attack, then orders an immediate gallop. Moiraine restores the mounts’ strength with the One Power, notably invigorating Bela, allowing the group to maintain a relentless pace despite fear and fatigue.

As the Draghkar continues to mark them, Moiraine refuses to fight it from horseback and instead summons thick, icy fog, using sly misdirection to conceal their route from pursuit. Enveloped in shifting gray, they ride for hours, clinging close and trusting Moiraine and Lan to guide them.

At last the fog parts to reveal Taren Ferry’s high redstone foundations. In the silent, misty streets, Lan hammers on a door and confronts Master Hightower. Despite protests about night and fog, gold persuades the ferryman to rouse his haulers. With payment promised now and on the far bank, the company prepares to cross before dawn.