Chapter 37 - The Long Chase

Summary

Nynaeve waits in the dark woods while Moiraine and Lan depart. After learning that Moiraine has lost the token tracking her target, the group spots the camp of two hundred Children of the Light and devises a plan to free a prisoner by having Nynaeve cut the horses' picket-ropes while Moiraine creates a diversion with lightning. Nynaeve stealthily approaches the camp, cuts the ropes, and discovers Egwene’s horse, Bela, tied among the Whitecloak mounts, confirming Egwene’s presence. As Moiraine strikes the earth with lightning to scatter the horses, Nynaeve mounts Bela and flees the chaotic scene with another horse.

Characters

• Nynaeve (she, Wisdom) — Nynaeve waits in the dark woods for Moiraine and Lan, gripping the reins of their horses. She listens to their plan to free a prisoner from the Whitecloak camp and secretly cuts the picket-ropes of the mounted horses. Finding Bela, she realizes Egwene is among the captives and escapes on the mare as lightning scatters the horses and wolves attack.
• Moiraine (the Aes Sedai, Aes Sedai) — Moiraine leads the group to a ridge overlooking the Whitecloak camp, revealing she can still locate the boy by power alone despite losing his token. She waits on the ridge while Nynaeve cuts the horse ropes, leading to a lightning diversion that scatters the mounts.
• Lan (he, Warder) — Lan scouts the Whitecloak encampment and confirms a boy is a prisoner. He outlines the rescue plan to Nynaeve, guiding her through the dark by the hand, and points out the presence of wolves near the camp.
• Bela (mare) — Bela is found tied among the Whitecloak picket-lines, confirming Egwene's presence in the camp. She wakes when Nynaeve unties her and bolts in terror during the lightning diversion, carrying Nynaeve to safety.
• Aldieb (pale muzzle, white mare) — Aldieb, Moiraine's white mare, is left with Nynaeve while Moiraine and Lan depart. Later, Aldieb's muzzle is mentioned as pushing under Nynaeve's hand, indicating her presence at the waiting spot.
• Mandarb (battle-trained stallion, stallion) — Mandarb, Lan's black stallion, is given to Nynaeve by Lan to hold. He blends into the night but allows Nynaeve to hold his reins, displaying his trained nature.