Chapter 28 - Footprints in Air

Description

Following their arrival at Whitebridge, Nynaeve, Moiraine, and Lan discover a town gripped by fear and destruction, with burned buildings and nervous townspeople telling conflicting stories about recent troubles. Through careful questioning by Moiraine, they learn of various disturbances including rumors of a man channeling, Darkfriends, and a boat that fled the town just a day earlier after a mob attacked the docks. While eating at a local inn, Moiraine senses that two of their quarry had been there recently, filled with fear, though she cannot determine which two or where they went. After an encounter with an inexperienced militia soldier, they decide to continue their journey, with Moiraine choosing to first pursue the one person she can track rather than follow the uncertain trail of those who passed through Whitebridge, despite Nynaeve’s protests and growing frustration with the Aes Sedai’s methods and apparent disregard for Egwene’s fate.

Characters

  1. Nynaeve al'Meara - Stares in wonder at the White Bridge, maintains tense relationship with Moiraine throughout their journey south, and struggles internally with the revelation that she can channel the One Power.
  2. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Tracks the boys using magical tokens, attempts to maintain control over group dynamics, and demonstrates both physical and emotional exhaustion from the ongoing journey.
  3. Lan, Elyas Machera - Scouts ahead of the group, maintains vigilant watch, and engages in private tactical discussions with Moiraine.
  4. haulers - Assist with operating the ferry across the river.
  5. militia - Patrol the city wearing red uniforms and tarnished armor, showing fear while maintaining order.
  6. Master Fitch - Warmly welcomes Moiraine's party through a secret gate and shares troubling news about Children of the Light and the false Dragon.
  7. townsfolk - Share various conflicting stories about recent troubles in Whitebridge, ranging from Darkfriend riots to mysterious boat-related incidents.
  8. fat fellow - Attempts to explain away the fires with an unconvincing story about an overturned lamp.
  9. narrow-faced man - Begins to reveal details about confrontation at the docks before abruptly fleeing in fear.

Takeaways

  1. Nynaeve, Moiraine, and Lan arrive at Whitebridge to find parts of the town burned and its people fearful due to recent violent events.
  2. They learn that Rand and others had passed through the town on a boat just a day earlier, fleeing from what appears to be a Myrddraal attack.
  3. Moiraine can sense that two of the boys were in the inn recently and left alive but afraid, though she cannot determine which direction they went.
  4. The tension between Nynaeve and Moiraine continues to grow, particularly regarding Moiraine's apparent prioritization of finding the boys over locating Egwene.
  5. The group decides to head northeast along the Caemlyn Road, with Moiraine determined to first find the one person she can track through their token rather than chase uncertain leads.