Chapter 26 - Whitebridge

Summary

Arriving in Whitebridge, Rand, Mat, and Thom seek information at the Wayfarers’ Rest, where innkeeper Bartim reveals that Padan Fain and a shadowy Fade have been asking about them. The situation deteriorates when Floran Gelb publicly denounces the trio as Darkfriends, prompting Thom to devise a hasty escape. As they flee through the town square, Thom sacrifices himself to hold off the approaching Fade with a blast of the One Power, allowing Rand and Mat to escape the city on their way to Caemlyn.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand arrives in Whitebridge with Mat and Thom, seeking news of Moiraine and the others. He refuses Thom’s suggestion to flee to Illian, insisting on heading to Caemlyn and Tar Valon. When confronted by the Fade, Rand is paralyzed by fear until Thom commands him to run; he flees the town with Mat, carrying Thom’s bundled instruments, and continues the journey to Caemlyn with his friend.
• Mat — Mat accompanies Rand and Thom to Whitebridge, displaying high anxiety and paranoia about being hunted. He draws the gold dagger from Shadar Logoth when threatened by the Fade. After Thom’s sacrifice, Mat is frantic and grief-stricken, urging Rand to keep moving away from the city before collapsing to his knees in the dust beside Rand on the road.
• Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom secures information from the innkeeper and warns the boys of the danger posed by the Fade and Floran Gelb. He disguises himself to evade the Whitebridge gates, but when cornered by the Myrddraal, he stays behind to fight, screaming and using the One Power to allow Rand and Mat to escape, presumably dying in the process.
• Gelb / Floran Gelb — Gelb sits in the common room, loudly spreading falsehoods to other patrons that Rand, Mat, and Thom are Darkfriends pursuing treasure with Trollocs. His noise draws the attention of the innkeeper and forces the group to flee through the inn's rear exit rather than the front.
• Bartim (innkeeper) — The fat innkeeper of the Wayfarers’ Rest serves the group spiced wine and provides news of Logain’s capture and the approaching Hunt. He describes the recent visit of Padan Fain and a black-cloaked Fade who sought the same people, then urges the group to leave Whitebridge immediately after Gelb’s accusations become a threat.
• Padan Fain / Fain — Though he does not physically appear in the scene, his recent visit to Whitebridge is described by Bartim as a key event that led to the Fade's presence; the text treats him as a present threat within the immediate narrative context of the inquiry.
• Myrddraal / The Fade / Halfman (the man in black) — A black-cloaked figure with a terrifying presence arrives in Whitebridge, having previously inquired about the group. He corners Rand and Mat in the town square, advancing upon them until Thom Merrilin intercepts him, fighting the entity with daggers and the One Power while Rand and Mat flee.