Chapter 45 - What Follows in Shadow

Summary

The group halts at a broken bridge in the Ways, where Loial confirms the decay is advanced but finds an alternative path to Fal Dara, though he laments missing a detour to Stedding Shangtai. As they travel, they stop for a night on an Island where the damp cold and oppressive darkness heighten their tension, leading to Mairst's teasing of Rand and Egwene's romantic involvement with Aram. They are followed by an unknown presence until they discover Trolloc runes and petrified Trollocs on a path to Tar Valon, revealing that enemies have entered the Ways. Accelerating their flight, the group races against the approaching Machin Shin (Black Wind) to a Waygate; Moiraine melts the stone gates with tainted fire while Lan triggers the exit to the other side, allowing the group to escape just as the sentient, hateful wind is blasted back by Moiraine's spear of power, leaving the Waygate sealed and dark.

Characters

• Loial (the Ogier) — Loial examines the broken bridge and Guiding stones, noting the decay of the Ways and regretfully passing a path to Stedding Shangtai to stay on course for Fal Dara. He guides the group through the dark, reacts with horror to the petrified Trollocs, and reads the stone script to find the next path while fleeing the Machin Shin.
• Moiraine (Aes Sedai) — Moiraine leads the group past the broken bridge and later uses her staff to melt the stone gates of the Waygate with tainted fire. She casts a spear of power to blast back the Machin Shin, securing their escape, and observes the sealed Waygate with weariness.
• Lan (Warder) — Lan rides Mandarb ahead of the group, detects a pursuer, and jumps his warhorse through the Waygate gates to trigger the exit. He waits on the far side with his sword drawn, tense and ready to charge back in.
• Perrin — Perrin rides with the group, his eyes glowing golden as he feels like a cornered wolf. He teases Egwene about Aram and sits close to Rand by the fire, as Moiraine speaks softly to him.
• Mat — Mat shoots an arrow into the dark, mocks Rand about Else, and expresses fear of the Black Wind. He watches as Lan topples the stone wedge aside and feels the vileness of the Machin Shin.
• Egwene — Egwene clings to Rand's arm in fear, chokes on her tea when teased about Aram, and hugs Nynaeve after escaping the Ways. She is horrified by the whispers of the Black Wind.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve questions Moiraine's calmness and the nature of the threat, shivering at the description of the Machin Shin. She rides out of the Ways and hugs Egwene.
• Rand — Rand rides Red, following Loial toward the white line of a Guiding stone, feeling the oppressive darkness. He holds Egwene's hand as she clings to him, listens to Moiraine's promise of safety, and is terrified by the voices in the wind.
• Red (the bay) — Red is the bay horse ridden by Rand. He carries Rand through the Ways, stumbles upon exiting the Waygate, and shakes himself calmly afterward.
• Mandarb — Mandarb is Lan's warhorse. He leaps toward the gates and catches the stone wedge with his shoulder, toppling it and carrying Lan through the Waygate.
• Aldieb — Aldieb is Moiraine's white mare. She backs out of the Waygate after Moiraine, dancing with fear.
• Bela — Bela is Egwene's horse. She carries Egwene through the Ways and is nudged by Rand to move toward the gate opening.