Chapter 11 - The Road to Taren Ferry

Summary

Rand al'Thor, Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, Egwene al'Vere, Thom Merrilin, Moiraine Sedai, and Lan al'Tear race northward on the North Road toward Taren Ferry, with Moiraine using the One Power to refresh the tired horses and Cloud straining to catch Lan’s black stallion. Their flight is interrupted by the appearance of a Draghkar, which terrifies the horses and nearly drags Rand from his saddle, forcing the group to flee deeper into the night. Lan utilizes Moiraine’s created fog to obscure their trail from the pursuing Darkhounds, leading the convoy through featureless mist until they reach the village of Taren Ferry, where Lan bribes the ferryman, Master Hightower, to cross the river despite the early hour.

Characters

• Rand — Rand gallops last in line, clinging to Cloud’s reins as the gray horse strains to catch Lan’s black stallion. He watches Egwene on Bela with worry, feels the terror of the Draghkar’s shriek which nearly pulls him from his saddle, and follows Lan and Moiraine into the freezing fog that obscures their path. Upon reaching Taren Ferry, he observes Master Hightower’s greed and attempts to hush Mat’s snickering.
• Mat — Mat rides alongside Thom Merrilin and expresses his desire for food before the Draghkar attack throws the party into chaos. He mounts quickly after the creature departs, rides in the clustered group through the fog, and snickers at Master Hightower’s appearance in Taren Ferry, prompting Rand to signal him to be quiet.
• Perrin — Perrin joins the ride, eager for a hot mutton pie and tea in Watch Hill, and later rides in the pack as the group flees north. He endures the icy chill of the fog and the Draghkar’s pursuit, maintaining his place among the fugitives without notable incident.
• Egwene — Egwene rides Bela, who runs with surprising stamina after Moiraine’s intervention. She displays excitement and delight at the thrill of the night ride, smiling in the moonlight, and shouts urging for Rand to mount as the Draghkar returns.
• Thom (the gleeman) — Thom rides just ahead of Rand, keeping his eyes forward as they gallop north. He dismounts with the others at Watch Hill, expresses fatigue, and manages to mount his horse quickly amidst the chaos caused by the Draghkar, riding in the foggy cluster toward the river.
• Moiraine (the Aes Sedai, Moiraine Sedai) — Moiraine rides her white mare, leading the group with Lan while riding through the fog she conjures to hide them from the Darkhounds. She refreshes the horses’ stamina, refuses to kill the Draghkar from horseback, and leads the party to Taren Ferry, where her presence and Lan’s bargaining secure their passage.
• Lan (the Warder) — Lan leads the group on his black stallion, ordering them to spread out and then cluster together in the fog. He fights the fear-struck horses, warns of the Myrddraal’s approach, and arrives at Taren Ferry to bribe Master Hightower with gold to ferry them across immediately.
• Cloud (the gray) — Cloud, Rand’s spirited gray horse, speeds through the night, straining to catch Lan’s black stallion and later exploding in terror at the Draghkar’s appearance. He is refreshed by Moiraine’s power and gallops beyond the reach of his reins until the group reaches the fog and then Taren Ferry.
• Bela — Bela, Egwene’s shaggy brown mare, runs with neck outstretched and mane streaming, matching the larger horses’ strides and showing more stamina than expected after Moiraine’s intervention.
• Hightower (Master Hightower, the ferryman) — Master Hightower, a narrow-faced ferryman, opens his door to the approaching party in the fog. He refuses to cross in the night but accepts Lan’s gold coins, licking his lips greedily, and agrees to rouse his haulers to move the ferry immediately.