Chapter 19 - Shadow’s Waiting

Summary

Moiraine leads the group into the ruined city of Shadar Logoth, where they find a massive, empty building to rest in. Rand, Mat, and Perrin wander the streets and encounter Mordeth, a strange man who claims to have treasure hidden below; they follow him into a treasure room where Mordeth transforms and attacks them before vanishing. The boys flee back to the group in terror, reporting the presence of watchers in the shadows. Moiraine reveals that Mordeth is an ancient entity trapped by Mashadar and that the city is cursed, explaining the history of its destruction. As night falls, Lan returns to report that Trollocs and Myrddraal are being driven into the city by an unknown force, forcing Moiraine to order an immediate evacuation across the river.

Characters

• Rand — Rand marvels at the grandeur of Shadar Logoth's ruins and explores the city with Mat and Perrin. He follows Mordeth into a treasure room, witnesses the man's transformation and attack, and flees back to the group. After learning the city's dark history from Moiraine, he helps prepare for the urgent departure when Trollocs are discovered nearby.
• Mat — Mat is initially glum over his ancestral memories but becomes enthusiastic about the ruins, leading the group into the treasure room. He searches the gold, drops a goblet in fear when Mordeth attacks, and desperately protests leaving the treasure before being dragged away by Rand and Perrin.
• Perrin — Perrin accompanies Rand and Mat into the ruins, drawing his axe to examine the gem-encrusted wealth from the treasure. He is terrified by Mordeth's attack, insisting that they are not taking any of the gold and shouting at the walls that it belongs to Mordeth, helping to force Mat to leave.
• Egwene — Egwene remains at the safe house, warming her hands at the fire. She startles when the boys burst in and later listens with unease as they recount their terrifying encounter with Mordeth and the watchers in the shadows.
• Thom (the gleeman) — Thom takes Aldieb's reins and observes the boys before settling by the fire, muttering "fools" at the boys' return. He listens intently to their report with a frown and curses under his breath when Lan announces the Trolloc threat.
• Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai (the Aes Sedai) — Moiraine directs the group to a safe building and rests after being healed by Nynaeve. She calmly rebukes the boys for wandering and reveals the history of Mordeth and Shadar Logoth. Upon Lan's return, she quickly devises a plan to evacuate across the river to escape the incoming Trolloc force.
• Nynaeve (the Wisdom) — Nynaeve tends to Moiraine's exhaustion with herbs and later scolds the boys for their recklessness. She argues with Thom about Moiraine's state and listens to their story with a narrow eye, confirming that Mat is likely to blame for the mischief.
• Lan (the Warder, Lord of the Seven Towers) — Lan carries Moiraine into the safe house and disappears into the night, returning to report that Trollocs and Myrddraal are being driven into Shadar Logoth by an unknown force, forcing Moiraine to order an immediate night escape.
• Mordeth — Mordeth appears as a sleek, bald man in strange clothing who claims to be a treasure hunter. He leads the boys into a treasure room, reveals he has no shadow, and transforms to threaten them with death before vanishing into a crack in the wall, leaving them to realize he is an ancient evil trapped by Mashadar.
• Bela — Bela is led into the stable area of the white stone building by Rand. She is unhorsed and left standing in the room while the group explores the city.
• Cloud — Cloud is led into the stable area of the white stone building by Rand. He is unhorsed and left standing in the room while the group explores the city.