22 A Path Chosen

At dawn by the Arinelle, Nynaeve wakes alone after the chaotic night in Shadar Logoth. Finding no clear sign of her friends, she follows the river downstream, tracking cautiously until woodsmoke leads her to Moiraine and Lan at a small camp.

Lan reports Trollocs and four Myrddraal have vanished, troubling evidence of unseen movement of large Shadowspawn forces. Moiraine insists the priority remains finding the boys. She senses one of the boys alive across the river and only a faint, faded trace for the others. When Moiraine calls out Nynaeve’s hiding place, Nynaeve confronts her over endangering Emond’s Field folk.

Moiraine reveals that Nynaeve can channel the One Power and explains the “sparker” pattern—uncontrolled touches of the Source followed by sickness—and the lethal fate of most untrained women. Prodded, Nynaeve recalls miraculously Healing Egwene’s breakbone fever and her own subsequent reaction, reluctantly accepting the truth. Moiraine urges training to save lives, including Egwene’s.

Moiraine explains the coins she gave the boys create a bond: one boy across the river still has his; two downriver have lost theirs and are likely pursued by Myrddraal. Weighing scarce time and danger, Moiraine chooses to go south to the greater need, hoping Egwene is safe. Torn but resolute, Nynaeve decides to accompany them, vowing inwardly to see all her people safe—and to hold Moiraine to account if they are not.