Chapter 55 - The One Left Behind

Summary

Matrim Cauthon, Thom Merrilin, and Noal flee through the shifting corridors of the Tower of Ghenjei while being relentlessly pursued by a horde of Aelfinn. After exhausting their supply of explosive cylinders and nightflowers, they realize they are trapped in a dead end with a shattered redstone doorway. Noal makes the ultimate sacrifice, holding off the creatures with his last nightflower so Mat and Thom can escape, leaving behind a message for Jain Farstrider. Left desperate, Mat realizes that his bargain with the Eelfinn granted him three boons: memories to fill mental gaps, a medallion to block the One Power, and an ashandarei capable of cutting through reality itself. Using the sword's light-wielding properties, Mat carves a gateway through the wall, allowing Thom to carry the waking Moiraine to safety before he leaps through himself, leaving the blinded Aelfinn behind.

Characters

• Matrim Cauthon / Mat — Realizes his bargain with the Eelfinn granted him three boons rather than answers, uses his ashandarei to cut a light-wielding gateway through solid rock, and escapes the tower after Noal's sacrifice.
• Thom Merrilin / Thom — Carries the rescued Moiraine while exhausted, plays a mournful harp tune that temporarily soothes the pursuing Aelfinn, and helps Mat deduce the true nature of his bargain.
• Noal — Sacrifices himself to hold off the Aelfinn with a nightflower, instructing Mat to tell Jain Farstrider he died clean before perishing in the corridor.
• Moiraine Damodred / Moiraine — Wakes briefly from her stasis to thank Mat and Thom for rescuing her, then falls back asleep as they prepare to escape the tower's traps.
• Aelfinn (snakes) — A horde of fanged, slithering creatures pursues the group through the maze, only to be repelled by the radiant light cut from the wall by Mat's ashandarei.