Chapter 37 - The Long Chase

Description

Following the discovery of a Whitecloak encampment where one of their quarry is being held prisoner, Nynaeve assists Lan and Moiraine in a daring rescue plan. Tasked with cutting the Whitecloaks’ picket-ropes holding their horses, she stealthily makes her way through the camp, discovering not only the captive they seek but also Bela, indicating Egwene’s presence. Despite her initial intention to leave after weakening only some of the ropes, she continues her task after realizing that escape would be impossible with people riding double. As she works to free Bela and another horse, Moiraine unleashes a devastating lightning storm that sends the camp into chaos, causing the weakened ropes to snap and the horses to panic. In the ensuing mayhem, Nynaeve barely manages to mount Bela while holding onto another horse, only to witness wolves racing past her as she flees the scene of destruction and madness beneath the magic-torn sky.

Characters

  1. Lady Moiraine, Mistress Alys, Moiraine Sedai - Awakens to find one of her tokens went missing, uses her power to restore the pursuing horses' strength, and ultimately finds her quarry in the center of a Whitecloak camp.
  2. Lan, Elyas Machera - Retrieves Nynaeve to help with the horses, scouts the Whitecloak camp, and develops a rescue plan involving the picket lines.
  3. Nynaeve al'Meara - Guards the horses while feeling frustrated with Moiraine and Lan, sneaks into the Whitecloak camp to cut picket lines, and manages to rescue Bela along with another horse despite nearly being trampled.
  4. Bela - Recognizes Nynaeve in the Whitecloak camp, allows herself to be freed, and helps Nynaeve escape during the ensuing chaos.
  5. Whitecloak guards - Patrol the perimeter of the camp in a rigid pattern, exchange formal greetings about the Light, and fail to notice Nynaeve's presence.
  6. wolves - Appear as gray shadows during the chaos, seemingly ignoring Nynaeve while attacking other horses.

Takeaways

  1. Nynaeve, Lan, and Moiraine discover a Whitecloak camp where one of the boys and Egwene are being held prisoner under guard.
  2. Nynaeve successfully infiltrates the camp and cuts the picket lines holding the horses, discovering Bela which confirms Egwene's presence among the prisoners.
  3. Moiraine creates a massive lightning storm as a diversion, causing chaos in the camp while wolves appear to help scatter the horses.
  4. During her escape on horseback with Bela and another horse, Nynaeve witnesses wolves aiding their plan by terrorizing the other horses, suggesting a deliberate coordination with their group.