Chapter 12 - Across the Taren

Description

In the final leg of their escape from the Two Rivers, the group crosses the Taren River by ferry in thick fog conjured by Moiraine to hide them from the pursuing Draghkar. After a tense crossing with the suspicious ferryman Master Hightower and his crew, Moiraine uses her powers to destroy the ferry in a whirlpool, preventing anyone from following them across. Once safely on the northern bank, the group takes shelter in a hidden hollow formed by fallen trees, where Moiraine reveals to an eager Egwene that she has the ability to channel the One Power, demonstrating this by helping the girl produce a faint blue light from a stone - marking the beginning of Egwene’s path to becoming an Aes Sedai, much to Rand’s distress.

Characters

  1. Rand al'Thor - Feels apprehensive about crossing the Taren River, watches Egwene's interaction with Moiraine about becoming Aes Sedai, and struggles with his feelings about Egwene's revelation.
  2. Mat Cauthon, Matrim - Makes comments about the ferry crossing and watches Egwene's demonstration with unease.
  3. Egwene - Demonstrates her ability to channel the One Power under Moiraine's guidance, expresses great enthusiasm about becoming an Aes Sedai, and shows no awareness of Rand's distress.
  4. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Teaches Egwene about the True Source and One Power, guides her through her first channeling experience, and explains the differences between saidin and saidar.
  5. Lan, Elyas Machera - Leads the group to a hidden shelter, handles payment and interaction with the ferryman, and manages their escape after destroying the ferry.
  6. Perrin Aybara - Expresses desire to rest and follows the group to their shelter.
  7. Thom Merrilin, Master Merrilin - Shows concern about Moiraine's methods and sympathizes with Rand's distress over Egwene.
  8. Master Hightower - Operates the ferry for gold payment, shows suspicion and greed during the crossing, and flees in terror after the ferry's destruction.
  9. haulers - Assist Hightower with operating the ferry and flee with him after its destruction.

Takeaways

  1. Moiraine uses her power to create a whirlpool that destroys the Taren Ferry, preventing anyone from following them across the river.
  2. Moiraine creates a wall of fog along the river to mislead their pursuers about their true path.
  3. Moiraine reveals to Egwene that she has the ability to channel the One Power, and helps her achieve her first successful channeling attempt using a blue stone.
  4. The group takes shelter in a hidden tree cave where Lan had previously prepared supplies, showing his strategic forethought.
  5. The Draghkar continues to hunt for them but is confused by Moiraine's fog barrier along the river.