Chapter 17 - Watchers and Hunters

Summary

Thom Merrilin entertains the crowd in the Stag and Lion's common room before Rand al'Thor experiences a terrifying encounter with a Fade in the hallway, which is driven off by Lan al'Tear. The group prepares to flee Baerlon but is confronted at the Caemlyn Gate by Lord Bornhald and the Children of the Light; Bornhald attempts to detain them for questioning, but Moiraine Sedai intervenes, displaying her power to intimidate the Whitecloaks and allowing the party to escape. As they ride away, the Stag and Lion inn burns, likely set by Darkfriends sent by the Fade, causing friction between Nynaeve al'Meara and the Aes Sedai over the loss of life and property. The group makes camp for a brief rest before continuing their journey at dawn.

Characters

• Thom (gleeman) — Thom performs tales of the Hunters and plays music for the villagers in the inn's common room. Later, he joins the group's escape, expressing concern about being recognized as Moiraine's friend and riding with them until the inn burns.
• Rand — Rand dances with Nynaeve and Moiraine before being confronted by a Fade in the inn hallway, where he is paralyzed by fear until Lan arrives. He helps the group escape, witnesses Moiraine's display of power, and rides eastward with the party, questioning their safety.
• Lan / Warder — Lan gathers the group for an early start and identifies a scar-faced man as a Whitecloak spy. He confronts the Whitecloaks at the gate and rides Moiraine's mare to allow her to escape. He leads the group out of Baerlon, sets up a cold camp, and stands guard while the others sleep.
• Moiraine / Aes Sedai / Moiraine Sedai (Mistress Alys) — Moiraine warns Innkeeper Fitch about Darkfriends and prepares to leave. She confronts Bornhald at the gate, displaying her power to grow towering and intimidate the Whitecloaks and Watchmen into letting her group pass. She insists they press on despite the burning inn, offering to send gold for reconstruction later.
• Mat — Mat watches the dancing, then complains about the scar-faced man staring at them. He follows the group out of the inn and is terrified when the inn burns, wondering if they will ever be safe again.
• Perrin — Perrin dances with Nynaeve and watches the group's escape. He asks Moiraine if the burning inn could be a distraction and sleeps fitfully in the cold camp, questioning the wisdom of Moiraine's inaction regarding the fire.
• Egwene — Egwene leaves with Moiraine, fleeing the inn before the Fade appears. She is frightened during the escape, sees Moiraine's towering form, and rides with the group, angry at Lan's lack of sympathy for the inn's victims.
• Nynaeve / Wisdom — Nynaeve dances with Rand and with Moiraine before following them to the gate. She angrily confronts Moiraine and Lan about the burning inn and the loss of Master Fitch's livelihood, accusing them of prioritizing the boys over innocent lives.
• Master Fitch / Fitch (innkeeper) — Fitch bows the group on their way, bidding them farewell with assurances that he will keep their secrets. He is left behind as the Stag and Lion burns, a loss Moiraine promises to compensate.
• Mutch (stableman) — Mutch watches the group leave the inn and stands outside the gate with a lamp raised, peering after them in a sour manner, suspected by Rand to be an informant.
• Bornhald / Lord Bornhald (Whitecloak) — Bornhald confronts the group at the Caemlyn Gate, attempting to detain them for questioning as Darkfriends. He is intimidated and driven back by Moiraine's display of power, shouting for the gates to be held to pursue them.
• Watchman — A weary Watchman at the Caemlyn Gate is bribed by Lan to open the gates for the group's departure, ignoring Bornhald's protests.
• Cloud — Cloud is Rand's spirited gray horse. He carries Rand out of Baerlon and is kept on a brisk walk by Lan before being hobbled for the cold camp.
• Bela — Bela is Egwene's shaggy brown mare. She carries Egwene out of Baerlon and is hobbled alongside the other horses for the night.
• Aldieb — Aldieb is Moiraine's white mare. She is ridden by Moiraine out of the city, dances sideways in frustration when the inn burns, and is tucked with Moiraine's staff under her girth strap.