21 Listen to the Wind

As the party departs through Shadar Logoth at night, a glowing tendril of Mashadar blocks Rand’s group from Moiraine and Lan. Moiraine orders everyone to move silently toward a red star and the river, warning that Mashadar kills on touch and channeling would draw Fades and Trollocs. The fog’s tentacles advance, forcing the Emond’s Fielders to choose their own route.

While threading ruined streets, Mashadar and Trollocs converge. The group scatters under sudden attack. Rand rides through reaching fog as Mashadar seizes pursuing Trollocs and a Myrddraal, silently killing them. Regrouping with Mat, Rand slips out a gate. Thom races past with Trollocs on his heels, and the three flee for the river.

Elsewhere, Perrin carefully approaches the gate, meets Egwene, and they head for the river together. Trolloc horns close in, and during a blind gallop Bela lags. Perrin slows, then rides over a bluff and plunges into the Arinelle. He swims, shedding weight, reaches the far bank exhausted, and calls in vain for Egwene as Trollocs rage on the opposite shore.

Rand, Mat, and Thom lose the guiding star, fight off ambushing Trollocs—with Thom’s thrown knives felling two—and find a trader’s boat, the Spray. Trollocs charge as they board; Rand nearly dies before a swinging boom knocks a Trolloc overboard. Captain Bayle Domon casts off under attack, berates his slovenly watchman Gelb, and hauls the boys below.

Thom spins a cover story of treasure and pursuit; Domon, citing past Trolloc troubles and night shallows, refuses to turn back. He accepts silver for passage to Whitebridge but will not stop for others. On deck, Rand broods over leaving friends behind, fearing for Egwene, while Thom urges that Moiraine and Lan will safeguard the rest.