ChapterTrack

Chapter 26 - Whitebridge

Summary

Arriving in Whitebridge aboard the Spray, Rand, Mat, and Thom Merrilin are surprised by the magnitude of the White Bridge and the town's size. Thom attempts to gather information at an inn, the Wayfarers’ Rest, where the innkeeper Bartim informs them that the False Dragon Logain has been captured and is being taken to Tar Valon, and describes two individuals hunting them: a 'weaselly' man and a mysterious hooded figure who asks the same questions. As Gelb spreads rumors of the boys being Darkfriends, Thom realizes their cover is blown and disguises himself to blend in with the crowd. When the Myrddraal appears in the square, Thom engages the creature in combat to allow Rand and Mat to escape, sacrificing himself in a burst of light while screaming at them to run toward Caemlyn. The boys flee the town, believing Thom dead, and begin the trek south on the road.

Characters

  • Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand arrives in Whitebridge with Thom and Mat, marveling at the White Bridge and later seeking information from the innkeeper Bartim. He refuses Thom's suggestion to flee to Illian, insisting on going to Tar Valon. When the Myrddraal appears, Rand is paralyzed by fear until Thom forces them to run, fleeing the town with Mat while clutching Thom's instrument cases and believing him dead.
  • Mat — Mat arrives in Whitebridge, tense and nervous about being hunted. He argues with Thom about fleeing to Illian and clutches the golden dagger from Shadar Logoth. When the Myrddraal attacks, Mat draws his dagger in fear before being forced to run by Thom, fleeing the town with Rand and fearing for their own safety.
  • Thom / Thom Merrilin (the gleeman) — Thom arrives in Whitebridge and uses the innkeeper Bartim to discover that they are being hunted by a Myrddraal. He disguises himself to escape the inn, encounters the Fade in the square, and engages it in combat, screaming for Rand and Mat to run to Caemlyn before being consumed by a burst of blue light, leaving the boys to believe he is dead.
  • Bayle Domon (Captain Domon, the captain) — Captain Domon pilots the Spray into Whitebridge, dealing with the merchants and dismissing Floran Gelb from his crew. He offers to pay Thom's fare and take them to Illian if he stays aboard, then leaves them on the dock as they prepare to go ashore.
  • Floran Gelb (Gelb) — Gelb is dismissed from the Spray by Domon and lands on the dock with hatred for Rand. Later in the inn, he sits on the other side of the wall, loudly claiming to the other patrons that Rand, Mat, and Thom are Darkfriends connected to Trollocs, attempting to turn the townspeople against them.
  • Bartim (the innkeeper) — Bartim is the fat, balding innkeeper of the Wayfarers’ Rest in Whitebridge. He provides Rand, Mat, and Thom with news of Logain's capture and describes a mysterious black-clad man and a crazed man hunting for them, warning them to leave the town immediately due to the danger.