Chapter 39 - Flight from the White Tower

Summary

Egwene, Nynaeve, Elayne, and Min disguise themselves as wealthy petitioners to escape the White Tower, evading recognition by dodging through crowds and using the stable gates to mount their horses. They meet Liandrin in the Stedding, who reveals she knew of their plan and intends to take them to Toman Head to aid their friends, warning them of the Black Ajah's threat. Liandrin leads the group through a sealed Waygate into the Ways, where they travel in darkness through a labyrinth of Islands and Guidings, enduring exhaustion and fear of the Black Wind. Liandrin reveals she believes Moiraine underestimates the dangers of the Ways, and during a halt, Egwene reflects on her feelings for Rand while Elayne playfully threatens to compete for his affection. The journey continues with Liandrin driving the group relentlessly until they reach another Waygate, signaling their imminent arrival.

Characters

• Egwene — Egwene disguises herself in fine dress to escape the Tower, rides her horse Bela through the Stedding and into the Ways, and endures the dark, exhausting journey while reflecting on her feelings for Rand and listening to Elayne's teasing.
• Nynaeve — Nynaeve leads the escape, intimidating the stableman with her Serpent ring and threatening him with Liandrin's name. She rides her gray mare through the Ways, questions the nature of the Black Wind, and shares a moment of humor with Egwene before falling silent in the oppressive dark.
• Elayne — Elayne disguises herself in a blue dress, rides her bay mare, and intervenes when Liandrin confronts the group. She explains that they overheard Liandrin's conversation, travels through the Waygate, and later teases Egwene about her romantic feelings for Rand.
• Min — Min disguises herself as a servant in breeches and a cloak, carries saddlebags that are awkward to hold for a lady of status, and rides a dust-colored gelding. She travels through the Waygate with the group, asks about the Black Wind, and voices her fear that their efforts for Rand may be in vain.
• Liandrin (Aes Sedai, Liandrin Sedai) — Liandrin intercepts the escaping women in the Stedding, reveals she has allowed them to go to protect them from the Black Ajah, and leads them through a Waygate into the Ways. She drives the group hard through the dark, dismissing their concerns about the Black Wind and asserting her superiority over Moiraine.
• Bela — Bela, Egwene's shaggy gray mare, is mounted in the South Stable, leaps forward when Egwene urges her on, and stumbles in the darkness of the Ways before shaking off her rider.