Chapter 48 - The Blight

Summary

The group crosses the borderpost into the Blight, where the environment becomes unnaturally warm, damp, and filled with the stench of decay and diseased flora. As they ride deeper into the corrupted land, Mat falls ill from the noxious air, and Lan warns the others of deadly traps and creatures like the Stick. Upon reaching a hilltop near a network of lakes at dusk, they spot a massive, tentacled creature in the water before Moiraine sets up a magical barrier to protect their camp. The group establishes a hidden campsite using a bending of the One Power to conceal their lights, during which Lan and Nynaeve share a private, emotionally charged moment, while Egwene expresses hope for the future in Tar Valon, prompting a conflicted internal response from Rand regarding his feelings for her.

Characters

• Rand — Rand rides with the group into the Blight, noting the diseased state of the vegetation and the suffocating heat. He is shaken by the sight of a giant lake creature but maintains his composure. Later, he helps set up the camp and is embarrassed by Egwene's public declaration of wanting him as her future Warder, internally recalling Min's vision.
• Mat / Matrim Cauthon — Mat complains about the heat and the delay, openly displaying his cursed dagger while wiping sweat from his face. He suffers from nausea due to the Blight's stench, vomiting repeatedly, and is initially eager to camp by the lake until he sees the monster, at which point he falls silent.
• Perrin — Perrin rides with his yellow eyes glowing, seemingly unaffected by the heat and stench that plague the others. He glares at the forest like an enemy and growls to himself. He helps with the camp and exchanges a look of disbelief with Rand regarding the lake creature.
• Egwene — Egwene complains about the heat. She helps set up the camp and expresses bright hope to Rand that they will all be together in Tar Valon, even joking that he will be her Warder. She is cautioned by Moiraine about channeling abilities.
• Nynaeve (Wisdom) — Nynaeve frowns at the 'wrongness' of the Blight and maintains a white mask of determination despite the heat. She argues with Mat about the camping location and later has a conversation with Lan, offering herself to him before he departs to check the horses.
• Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai (Aes Sedai) — Moiraine commands the group's pace and direction, explaining the nature of the Eye of the World and the dangers of the Blight. She sets up a magical barrier around their campsite and uses her power to dispel the stench, while also managing the group's morale and future plans.
• Lan (Warder, Dai Shan) — Lan leads the group past the borderpost and warns them of the Blight's dangers, including the Stick. He remains unaffected by the heat and stench. He vanishes from sight using a bending of the One Power to hide the camp and later shares a poignant farewell with Nynaeve.
• Loial (Builder) — Loial is disgusted by the diseased vegetation and the heat, wrapping his face in a scarf. He explains to Egwene that the Eye of the World is found where it is needed and helps set up the camp stove. He is the first to sleep and is noted for his snoring.
• Ingtar — Ingtar leads his hundred lances to the borderpost where he halts, apologizing to Moiraine and the group for his inability to escort them further. He departs for Tarwin's Gap with his men, looking disgruntled at being commanded to stop.
• Cloud — Cloud is Rand's horse, ridden into the Blight alongside the rest of the group.
• Bela — Bela is Egwene's horse, ridden into the Blight.
• Aldieb — Aldieb is Moiraine's white mare, ridden into the Blight and dismounted at the campsite.
• Mandarb — Mandarb is Lan's stallion, ridden by Lan as he leads the group. Lan vanishes to set the camp's concealment.
• Red — Red is the bay horse lent to Rand, ridden into the Blight and hobbled at the camp.