Chapter 11 - The Road to Taren Ferry

Summary

The group gallops north through the night from Emond's Field, with Rand anxious for Egwene's safety on the sturdy Bela until Moiraine magically refreshes their fatigue. Upon reaching Watch Hill, they are nearly stopped by the appearance of a Draghkar, which causes panic among the horses until Lan explains it marks them for Myrddraal. Moiraine unleashes a thick, icy fog to obscure their trail from the creature, allowing the party to ride unseen to Taren Ferry. Once there, Lan bribes Master Hightower, a suspicious ferryman, to take them across the river in the dead of night despite the unusual weather and hour.

Characters

• Rand — Rand gallops behind Lan and Moiraine, constantly checking for the Draghkar and worrying about Egwene on Bela. He is shaken by the Draghkar's appearance and Moiraine's fog magic, eventually helping the group reach Taren Ferry where he observes the sly reputation of the locals.
• Mat — Mat travels with the group, commenting on his desire for rest and food upon arriving at Watch Hill. He mocks Master Hightower's name upon their arrival at the ferryman's door.
• Perrin — Perrin rides with the group, joining in the desire for rest and pie. He rides closely with the others during the flight through the fog.
• Egwene — Egwene rides Bela, initially exhausted but later exhilarated by the flight. She shouts for Rand to mount during the Draghkar attack and rides excitedly through the fog.
• Lan (the Warder) — Lan leads the group at the head of the line, refusing to stop at Watch Hill. He identifies the Draghkar and commands the group to continue fleeing, later bargaining with Master Hightower for passage.
• Moiraine (the Aes Sedai) — Moiraine magically removes the fatigue from the horses and later unleashes a thick, icy fog to hide the group from the Draghkar. She rides with Lan, explaining the limitations of killing the creature from horseback.
• Thom (the gleeman) — Thom rides with the group, expressing his wish to sing and eat. He mounts quickly after the Draghker attack and rides through the fog.
• Cloud — Cloud is Rand's spirited gray horse, which runs fiercely to catch Lan's black horse. It is terrified by the Draghkar, dragging Rand briefly before being calmed and refreshed by Moiraine.
• Bela — Bela is Egwene's shaggy brown mare, which runs with unusual strength and stamina, matching the larger horses' strides without fatigue.
• Master Hightower (the ferryman) — Master Hightower is a narrow-faced ferryman who initially refuses to cross in the fog. He is bribed by Lan with gold and leaves to rouse his haulers to take the group across the river.