Chapter 10 - Leavetaking

Summary

Rand, Mat, and Perrin gather in the stables to prepare for their secret departure, equipping themselves with weapons and checking their horses under the watchful eye of Lan. Moiraine silences the boys' panic with a display of authority and historical context, only to be interrupted by Egwene, who reveals she has deduced their plans and demands to join them. To everyone's surprise, Moiraine accepts Egwene's presence, and Thom Merrilin simultaneously reveals his own decision to travel with the group, citing a desire to perform in Tar Valon. After mounting up, the group slips out of Emond's Field, evading a watch patrol led by Jon Thane, and rides into the night. Their escape is nearly compromised when a Draghkar is spotted flying overhead, forcing Lan to accelerate their pace northward toward Taren Ferry.

Characters

• Rand — Rand gathers with Mat and Perrin in the stables, concealing his fear and checking his sword. He helps equip Egwene with a saddle for her horse Bela and mounts Cloud, a spirited gray horse, as the group prepares to leave the village unseen.
• Mat — Mat jokes about Rand's sword and Perrin's axe, trying to mask his nervousness about leaving the Two Rivers. He questions Moiraine's knowledge of the Trollocs and later rides alongside the others as they depart.
• Perrin (blacksmith) — Perrin arrives with his axe hidden under a cloak and listens to Lan's warning about using weapons effectively. He confirms the reality of the Trolloc threat and rides with the group, shifting uncomfortably when Lan questions him about the gleeman.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai, Sedai) — Moiraine confronts the boys for talking, silencing them with her voice. She allows Egwene to join the party and accepts Thom Merrilin's company, asserting that they are all part of the Pattern. She rides with the group, leading them away from the village.
• Lan (Warder) — Lan checks the horses and warns the boys about the lethality of their weapons. He objects to Egwene and Thom joining the group but eventually obeys Moiraine's decision, leading the group out of the village and directing their course toward the North Road.
• Egwene — Egwene sneaks into the stables, revealing she has pieced together the boys' plans. She refuses to be left behind, and despite Lan's objections, Moiraine permits her to come. She mounts Bela and rides near Moiraine as they depart.
• Thom (gleeman) — Thom appears from the hayloft, announcing his intention to travel to Tar Valon with the group. He prepares his gear, downplays the danger of the Trollocs, and waits as the group mounts.
• Bela — Bela, the shaggy brown mare, is saddled by Rand for Egwene. She accepts the unfamiliar saddle with a shake of her mane and prepares to ride with the group.
• Cloud — Cloud, a tall gray horse with a black mane and tail, is ridden by Rand. The spirited animal prances and dances, making mounting difficult, but Rand manages to control him as they leave.
• Jon Thane (miller) — Jon Thane leads a patrol of villagers and farmers clad in old armor and carrying spears. He checks the inn and directs the patrol into the night, unaware of the departing group.