Perrin POV#

Perrin awakes from nightmares of Faile and him being killed by Whitecloaks. He goes to Loial's room. Loial says he has been up half the night making notes on last night's attack. Faile is already there. She says Loial is a hero. He was injured while protecting a roomful of women and children. This embarrasses Loial. Perrin, hoping to get Loial in the mood to leave, asks if he has heard from his mother. Loial replies that he saw Laefar, an Ogier from Stedding Shangtai, yesterday. Laefar told him he has been declared a runaway and that his mother has chosen a wife for him.[1] With this prelude, Perrin asks if Loial will take him to the Manetheren Waygate. Loial reluctantly agrees, even though it means he will not be able to write his book about the Dragon Reborn. At this point, Faile jumps in. Earlier, she tricked Loial into promising that he would take her through the Ways before anyone else. Perrin can only accompany them if he asks. Loial is irritated at being tricked, but acknowledges the promise. Perrin will not ask. He intends to follow them on his own. Loial is very worried about Machin Shin. Faile says they will leave by the Dragonwall Gate in two hours and Perrin leaves. He soon runs into Gaul. Gaul relates that Rand told him Perrin was going to the Two Rivers and that it would be dangerous. Gaul wants to accompany him and Perrin gratefully agrees.

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Elayne POV#

Elayne, Egwene and Nynaeve are in Nynaeve's room. They have finished packing and are dividing an enormous sum of gold that Moiraine gave them. Elayne has the twisted ring.[2] The three of them are angry with Rand because he did not try to stop Elayne from leaving. She now regrets giving him the love letter she wrote. Lan crashes in. He is furious with Nynaeve because she let him believe she was going back to Tar Valon. He just learned that she is going to Tanchico and considers it too dangerous. He offers to accompany her to protect her. This is an obvious strain because of his bond to Moiraine. Nynaeve shows him one of the Amyrlin's orders and commands him to stay with Moiraine. Egwene is keeping the other one. Frustrated, Lan grabs Nynaeve and kisses her thoroughly. He says, "If you die, I will not survive you long."[3] He agrees to obey her order and leaves. Egwene asks why she did not accept his offer and she replies that she only wants him completely free of Moiraine's strings. Egwene says Aviendha has everything ready for the two of them to go to Rhuidean. They tearfully hug each other goodbye.[4] Elayne plans to write a much harsher letter to Rand on the way to the ship.[5]

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