The Eye of the World_49 Flashcards
“He escaped, and he did not,”
“He escaped, and he did not,”
Moiraine said.
Moiraine said.
“The [kuro] [kaze] caught him – and he claimed to understand the [koe].
“The Black Wind caught him – and he claimed to understand the voices.
Some greeted him as like to them; [tanin] feared him.
Some greeted him as like to them; others feared him.
No sooner did the [kaze] envelop Fain than it fled.”
No sooner did the Wind envelop Fain than it fled.”
“The [hikari] [hozon suru] us.”
“The Light preserve us.”
Loial’s [sasayaku] rumbled like a [kyojin] [maruhanabachi].
Loial’s whisper rumbled like a giant bumblebee.
“Pray that it does,”
“Pray that it does,”
Moiraine said.
Moiraine said.
“There is much yet hidden about Padan Fain, much I must learn.
“There is much yet hidden about Padan Fain, much I must learn.
The [aku] goes deeper in him, and stronger, than in any [otoko] I have yet seen.
The evil goes deeper in him, and stronger, than in any man I have yet seen.
It may be that the [Kurai] One, in doing what he did to Fain, impressed some [ichibu] of himself on the [otoko], perhaps even, unknowing, some [ichibu] of his [ito].
It may be that the Dark One, in doing what he did to Fain, impressed some part of himself on the man, perhaps even, unknowing, some part of his intent.
When I mentioned the [me] of the [sekai], Fain clamped his [ago] shut, [shikashi] I [kanjita] something knowing behind the [chinmoku].
When I mentioned the Eye of the World, Fain clamped his jaws shut, but I felt something knowing behind the silence.
[baai] only I had the [jikan] now.
If only I had the time now.
[shikashi] we cannot [taiki].”
But we cannot wait.”
“[baai] this [otoko] knows something,”
“If this man knows something,”
Agelmar said, “I can get it out of him.”
Agelmar said, “I can get it out of him.”
His [kao] held no [jihi] for [Kurai-yūjin]; his [koe] promised no [zannen] for Fain.
His face held no mercy for Darkfriends; his voice promised no pity for Fain.
“[baai] you can learn even a [ichibu] of what you will [kao] in the [kōhai], it’s [kachi ga aru] an extra [ichi nichi].
“If you can learn even a part of what you will face in the Blight, it’s worth an extra day.
[tatakai] have been lost for not knowing what the [teki] intends.”
Battles have been lost for not knowing what the enemy intends.”
Moiraine sighed and shook her [atama] ruefully.
Moiraine sighed and shook her head ruefully.
“My [omo], [baai] we did not must at least one [yoi] [yoru, kishi_knt]’s [suimin] before facing the [kōhai], I would [noru] within the [jikan], though it meant the [risuku] of [kaigi] a Trolloc raid in the [kurai].
“My lord, if we did not need at least one good night’s sleep before facing the Blight, I would ride within the hour, though it meant the risk of meeting a Trolloc raid in the dark.
Consider what I did learn from Fain.
Consider what I did learn from Fain.
Three [toshi] ago the [Kurai] One had to have Fain brought to Shayol Ghul to [tacchi] him, despite the [jijitsu] that Fain is a [Kurai-yūjin] dedicated to his [kotsuzui].
Three years ago the Dark One had to have Fain brought to Shayol Ghul to touch him, despite the fact that Fain is a Darkfriend dedicated to his marrow.
One [toshi] ago, the [Kurai] One could [komando] Fain, the [Kurai-yūjin], through his dreams.
One year ago, the Dark One could command Fain, the Darkfriend, through his dreams.
This [toshi], Ba’alzamon [aruku] in the dreams of those who live in the [hikari], and actually appears, [baai] with [muzukashisa], at Shadar Logoth.
This year, Ba’alzamon walks in the dreams of those who live in the Light, and actually appears, if with difficulty, at Shadar Logoth.
Not in his own [bodi], of [mochiron], [shikashi] even a [tōei] of the [Kurai] One’s [kokoro], even a [tōei] that [tenmetsu shimasu] and cannot hold, is more deathly dangerous to the [sekai] than all the Trolloc hordes combined.
Not in his own body, of course, but even a projection of the Dark One’s mind, even a projection that flickers and cannot hold, is more deathly dangerous to the world than all the Trolloc hordes combined.
The [shīru] on Shayol Ghul are weakening desperately, [omo] Agelmar.
The seals on Shayol Ghul are weakening desperately, Lord Agelmar.
There is no [jikan].”
There is no time.”
Agelmar bowed his [atama] in [mokunin], [shikashi] when he raised it again there was still a stubborn set to his [kuchi no naka].
Agelmar bowed his head in acquiescence, but when he raised it again there was still a stubborn set to his mouth.
“Aes Sedai, I can accept that when I [rīdo] the [ransu] to Tarwin’s [kangeki] we will be no more than a [ryūyō], or a [kozeriai] on the [kōgai] of the real [tatakai].
“Aes Sedai, I can accept that when I lead the lances to Tarwin’s Gap we will be no more than a diversion, or a skirmish on the outskirts of the real battle.
[gimu] takes [dansei] where it will as surely as does the [moyō], and neither [yakusoku] that what we do will have [idaisa].
Duty takes men where it will as surely as does the Pattern, and neither promises that what we do will have greatness.
[shikashi] our [kozeriai] will be useless, even should we [shōri], [baai] you lose the [tatakai].
But our skirmish will be useless, even should we win, if you lose the battle.
[baai] you say your [pātī] must be small, I say [yoku] and [yoi], [shikashi] I beg you to make every [doryoku] to see that you can [shōri].
If you say your party must be small, I say well and good, but I beg you to make every effort to see that you can win.
[kyūka] these young [dansei] here, Aes Sedai.
Leave these young men here, Aes Sedai.
I swear to you that I can find three experienced [dansei] with no [shikō] of [eikō] in their [heddo] to [kōkan shite kudasai] them, [yoi] [kenshi] who are almost as [benri] in the [kōhai] as Lan.
I swear to you that I can find three experienced men with no thought of glory in their heads to replace them, good swordsmen who are almost as handy in the Blight as Lan.
Let me [noru] to the [kangeki] knowing that I have done what I can to [tasukeru] you be victorious.”
Let me ride to the Gap knowing that I have done what I can to help you be victorious.”
“I must take them and no [tanin], [omo] Agelmar,”
“I must take them and no others, Lord Agelmar,”
Moiraine said gently.
Moiraine said gently.
“They are the ones who will [tatakai] the [tatakai] at the [me] of the [sekai].”
“They are the ones who will fight the battle at the Eye of the World.”
Agelmar’s [ago] dropped, and he stared at Rand and Mat and Perrin.
Agelmar’s jaw dropped, and he stared at Rand and Mat and Perrin.
Suddenly the [omo] of [faru] Dara took a [suteppu] back, his [te] groping unconsciously for the [ken] he never wore [uchigawa] the [yōsai].
Suddenly the Lord of Fal Dara took a step back, his hand groping unconsciously for the sword he never wore inside the fortress.
“They aren’t…
“They aren’t…
You are not [akai] Ajah, Moiraine Sedai, [shikashi] surely not even you would…“
You are not Red Ajah, Moiraine Sedai, but surely not even you would…”
Sudden [ase] glistened on his shaven [atama].
Sudden sweat glistened on his shaven head.
“They are tanin’veren,”
“They are ta’veren,”
Moiraine said soothingly.
Moiraine said soothingly.
“The [moyō] weaves itself around them.
“The Pattern weaves itself around them.
Already the [Kurai] One has tried to kill each of them more than once.
Already the Dark One has tried to kill each of them more than once.
Three tanin’veren in one [basho] are enough to [henkō] the [jinsei] around them as surely as a [wārupūru] [henka] the [michisuji] of a [wara].
Three ta’veren in one place are enough to change the life around them as surely as a whirlpool changes the path of a straw.
When the [basho] is the [me] of the [sekai], the [moyō] might weave even the [chichioya] of Lies into itself, and make him harmless again.”
When the place is the Eye of the World, the Pattern might weave even the Father of Lies into itself, and make him harmless again.”
Agelmar stopped trying to find his [ken], [shikashi] he still looked at Rand and the [tanin] doubtfully.
Agelmar stopped trying to find his sword, but he still looked at Rand and the others doubtfully.
“Moiraine Sedai, [baai] you say they are, then they are, [shikashi] I cannot see it.
“Moiraine Sedai, if you say they are, then they are, but I cannot see it.
Farmboys.
Farmboys.
Are you certain, Aes Sedai?”
Are you certain, Aes Sedai?”
“The old [chi],”
“The old blood,”
Moiraine said, “split out like a [kawa] breaking into a thousand [kai] a thousand [sutorīmu], [shikashi] sometimes [sutorīmu] [sanka shimasu] together to make a [kawa] again.
Moiraine said, “split out like a river breaking into a thousand times a thousand streams, but sometimes streams join together to make a river again.
The old [chi] of Manetheren is strong and pure in almost all these young [dansei].
The old blood of Manetheren is strong and pure in almost all these young men.
can you [utagai] the [tsuyosa] of Manetheren’s [chi], [omo] Agelmar?”
Can you doubt the strength of Manetheren’s blood, Lord Agelmar?”
Rand glanced sideways at the Aes Sedai.
Rand glanced sideways at the Aes Sedai.
Almost all.
Almost all.
He risked a [hyōjō] at Nynaeve; she had turned back to [udedokei] as [yoku] as listen, though she still avoided looking at Lan.
He risked a look at Nynaeve; she had turned back to watch as well as listen, though she still avoided looking at Lan.
He caught the [chie]’s [me].
He caught the Wisdom’s eye.
She shook her [atama]; she had not told the Aes Sedai that he was not Two [kawa] born.
She shook her head; she had not told the Aes Sedai that he was not Two Rivers born.
What does Moiraine know?
What does Moiraine know?
“Manetheren,”
“Manetheren,”
Agelmar said slowly, nodding.
Agelmar said slowly, nodding.
“I would not [utagai] that [chi].”
“I would not doubt that blood.”
Then, more quickly, “The [hoīru] brings strange [kai].
Then, more quickly, “The Wheel brings strange times.
Farmboys carry the [meiyo] of Manetheren into the [kōhai], yet [baai] any [chi] can [sutoraiki] a fell [dageki] at the [Kurai] One, it would be the [chi] of Manetheren.
Farmboys carry the honor of Manetheren into the Blight, yet if any blood can strike a fell blow at the Dark One, it would be the blood of Manetheren.
It shall be done as you [negai], Aes Sedai.”
It shall be done as you wish, Aes Sedai.”
“Then let us go to our [heya],”
“Then let us go to our rooms,”
Moiraine said.
Moiraine said.
“We must [kyūka] with the [nichi], for [jikan] grows short.
“We must leave with the sun, for time grows short.
The young [dansei] must [suimin] [tojiru] to me.
The young men must sleep close to me.
[jikan] is too short before the [tatakai] to allow the [Kurai] One another [sutoraiki] at them.
Time is too short before the battle to allow the Dark One another strike at them.
Too short.”
Too short.”
Rand [kanjita] her [me] on him, studying him and his [yūjin], weighing their [tsuyosa], and he shivered.
Rand felt her eyes on him, studying him and his friends, weighing their strength, and he shivered.
Too short.
Too short.
[akira] 48
Chapter 48
The [kōhai]
The Blight
The [kaze] whipped Lan’s [gaitō], sometimes [tsukuri] him hard to see even in the [nikkō], and Ingtar and the hundred [ransu] [omo] Agelmar had sent to [goei] them to the [bōdā], in case they met a Trolloc raid, made a brave display in [daburu] [koramu] with their [yoroi] and their [akai] [penanto] and their [hagane]-clad [uma] led by Ingtar’s [gurē] [fukurō] [banā].
The wind whipped Lan’s cloak, sometimes making him hard to see even in the sunlight, and Ingtar and the hundred lances Lord Agelmar had sent to escort them to the Border, in case they met a Trolloc raid, made a brave display in double column with their armor and their red pennants and their steel-clad horses led by Ingtar’s Gray Owl banner.
They were easily as grand as a hundred of the [joō]’s [keibi], [shikashi] it was the [tō] just in [kōkei] ahead of them that Rand studied.
They were easily as grand as a hundred of the Queen’s Guards, but it was the towers just in sight ahead of them that Rand studied.
He had had all [asa] to [udedokei] the Shienaran [ransu].
He had had all morning to watch the Shienaran lances.
Each [tawā] stood tall and [kotai] atop a [oka], [hanbun] a [mairu] from its [rinjin].
Each tower stood tall and solid atop a hill, half a mile from its neighbor.
[higashi] and [nishi] [tanin] [jōshō shita], and more beyond those.
East and west others rose, and more beyond those.
A broad, walled [ranpu] spiralled around each [ishi] [shafuto], winding all the [michi] around by the [jikan] it reached the heavy [mon] halfway to the crenellated [chōten].
A broad, walled ramp spiralled around each stone shaft, winding all the way around by the time it reached the heavy gates halfway to the crenellated top.
A [shutsugeki] from the [chūton-chi] would be protected by the [kabe] until it reached the [gurando], [shikashi] [teki] striving to [rīchi] the [mon] would [noboru] under a hail of [yajirushi] and [ishi] and [atsui] [abura] from the big [ketoru] poised on the outward flaring [jōheki] above.
A sortie from the garrison would be protected by the wall until it reached the ground, but enemies striving to reach the gate would climb under a hail of arrows and stones and hot oil from the big kettles poised on the outward flaring ramparts above.
A large [hagane] [mirā], carefully turned down, away from the [nichi], now, glittered atop each [tawā] below the high [tetsu] [chawan] where [shingō] fires could be lit when the [nichi] did not shine.
A large steel mirror, carefully turned down, away from the sun, now, glittered atop each tower below the high iron cup where signal fires could be lit when the sun did not shine.
The [shingō] would be flashed, to [tō] further from the [bōdā], and by those to still [tanin], and so relayed to the heartland [yōsai], from where the [ransu] would [noru] to [tān] back the raid.
The signal would be flashed, to towers further from the Border, and by those to still others, and so relayed to the heartland fortresses, from where the lances would ride to turn back the raid.
Were [kai] normal, they would.
Were times normal, they would.
From the two nearest [tawā] [toppusu] [dansei] watched them [apurōchi].
From the two nearest tower tops men watched them approach.
Just a few [dansei] on each, peering curiously through the crenels.
Just a few men on each, peering curiously through the crenels.
In the best of [kai] the [tō] were only manned enough for [jiko]-[bōei], depending more on [ishi] [kabe] than strong [ude] to survive, [shikashi] every [otoko] who could be spared, and more, was riding to Tarwin’s [kangeki].
In the best of times the towers were only manned enough for self-defense, depending more on stone walls than strong arms to survive, but every man who could be spared, and more, was riding to Tarwin’s Gap.
The [aki] of the [tō] would not [mondai] [baai] the [ransu] failed to hold the [kangeki].
The fall of the towers would not matter if the lances failed to hold the Gap.
Rand shivered as they rode between the [tō].
Rand shivered as they rode between the towers.
It was almost as [baai] he had ridden through a [kabe] of colder [kūki].
It was almost as if he had ridden through a wall of colder air.
This was the [bōdā].
This was the Border.
The [tochi] beyond looked no different from Shienar, [shikashi] out there, somewhere beyond the leafless [kigi], was the [kōhai].
The land beyond looked no different from Shienar, but out there, somewhere beyond the leafless trees, was the Blight.
Ingtar lifted a [hagane] [kobushi] to [teishi] the [ransu] short of a [heiya] [ishi] [posuto] in [kōkei] of the [tō].
Ingtar lifted a steel fist to halt the lances short of a plain stone post in sight of the towers.
A [kyōkai seki], [mākingu] the [kyōkai] between Shienar and what once was Malkier.
A borderpost, marking the boundary between Shienar and what once was Malkier.
“Your [onsha], Moiraine Aes Sedai.
“Your pardon, Moiraine Aes Sedai.
[onsha], Dai Shan.
Pardon, Dai Shan.
[onsha], [birudā].
Pardon, Builder.
[omo] Agelmar commanded me to go no further.”
Lord Agelmar commanded me to go no further.”
He sounded unhappy about it, disgruntled at [jinsei] in [ippan teki].
He sounded unhappy about it, disgruntled at life in general.
“That is as we planned, [omo] Agelmar and I,”
“That is as we planned, Lord Agelmar and I,”
Moiraine said.
Moiraine said.
Ingtar grunted sourly.
Ingtar grunted sourly.
“[onsha], Aes Sedai,”
“Pardon, Aes Sedai,”
he apologized, not sounding as [baai] he meant it.
he apologized, not sounding as if he meant it.
“To [goei] you here means we may not [rīchi] the [kangeki] before the [tatakai] is done.
“To escort you here means we may not reach the Gap before the fighting is done.
I am robbed of the [kikai] to stand with the [nokori], and at the same [jikan] I am commanded not to [noru] one [suteppu] beyond the [kyōkai seki], as [baai] I had never before been in the [kōhai].
I am robbed of the chance to stand with the rest, and at the same time I am commanded not to ride one step beyond the borderpost, as if I had never before been in the Blight.
And My [omo] Agelmar will not tell me why.”
And My Lord Agelmar will not tell me why.”
Behind the [bā] of his [feisu keibi], his [me] turned the [saigo] [kotoba] into a [shitsumon] to the Aes Sedai.
Behind the bars of his face-guard, his eyes turned the last word into a question to the Aes Sedai.
He scorned to [hyōjō] at Rand and the [tanin]; he had learned they would accompany Lan into the [kōhai].
He scorned to look at Rand and the others; he had learned they would accompany Lan into the Blight.
“He can have my [basho],”
“He can have my place,”
Mat muttered to Rand.
Mat muttered to Rand.
Lan gave them both a sharp [hyōjō].
Lan gave them both a sharp look.
Mat dropped his [me], his [kao] turning [akai].
Mat dropped his eyes, his face turning red.
“Each of us has his [ichibu] in the [moyō], Ingtar,”
“Each of us has his part in the Pattern, Ingtar,”
Moiraine said firmly.
Moiraine said firmly.
“From here we must [sureddo] ours alone.”
“From here we must thread ours alone.”
Ingtar’s [bou] was stiffer than his [yoroi] made it.
Ingtar’s bow was stiffer than his armor made it.
“As you [negai] it, Aes Sedai.
“As you wish it, Aes Sedai.
I must [kyūka] you, now, and [noru] hard in [ōdā] to [rīchi] Tarwin’s [kangeki].
I must leave you, now, and ride hard in order to reach Tarwin’s Gap.
At least I will be…
At least I will be…
allowed…
allowed…
to [kao] Trollocs there.”
to face Trollocs there.”
“Are you truly that eager?”
“Are you truly that eager?”
Nynaeve asked.
Nynaeve asked.
“To [tatakai] Trollocs?”
“To fight Trollocs?”
Ingtar gave her a puzzled [hyōjō], then glanced at Lan as [baai] the [kanshu] might explain.
Ingtar gave her a puzzled look, then glanced at Lan as if the Warder might explain.
“That is what I do, [josei],”
“That is what I do, Lady,”
he said slowly.
he said slowly.
“That is why I am.”
“That is why I am.”
He raised a gauntleted [te] to Lan, [ōpun] [tenohira] toward the [kanshu].
He raised a gauntleted hand to Lan, open palm toward the warder.
“Suravye ninto manshima taishite, Dai Shan.
“Suravye ninto manshima taishite, Dai Shan.
[heiwa] [sansei] your [ken].”
Peace favor your sword.”
Pulling his [uma] around, Ingtar rode [higashi] with his [banāman] and his hundred [ransu].
Pulling his horse around, Ingtar rode east with his bannerman and his hundred lances.
They went at a [sanpo], [shikashi] a steady [hochō], as fast as armored [uma] could manage with a far [kyori] yet to go.
They went at a walk, but a steady pace, as fast as armored horses could manage with a far distance yet to go.
“What a strange [koto] to say,”
“What a strange thing to say,”
Egwene said.
Egwene said.
“Why do they [shiyō] it like that?
“Why do they use it like that?
[heiwa].”
Peace.”
“When you have never known a [koto] except to [yume],”
“When you have never known a thing except to dream,”
Lan replied, heeling Mandarb forward, “it becomes more than a [tarisuman].”
Lan replied, heeling Mandarb forward, “it becomes more than a talisman.”
As Rand followed the [kanshu] past the [ishi] [kyōkai seki], he turned in his [sadoru] to [hyōjō] back, watching Ingtar and the [ransu] disappear behind barren [kigi], and the [kyōkai seki] vanish, and [saigo] of all the [tō] on their hilltops, looking over the [kigi].
As Rand followed the Warder past the stone borderpost, he turned in his saddle to look back, watching Ingtar and the lances disappear behind barren trees, and the borderpost vanish, and last of all the towers on their hilltops, looking over the trees.
All too soon they were alone, riding [kita] under the leafless [kyanopī] of the [mori].
All too soon they were alone, riding north under the leafless canopy of the forest.
Rand sank into watchful [chinmoku], and for once even Mat had nothing to say.
Rand sank into watchful silence, and for once even Mat had nothing to say.
That [asa] the [mon] of [faru] Dara had opened with the [yoake].
That morning the gates of Fal Dara had opened with the dawn.
[omo] Agelmar, armored and helmeted now like his [heishi], rode with the [kuro] [hōku] [banā] and the Three [kitsune] from the [higashi] [mon] toward the [nichi], still only a [akai] [suraibā] above the [kigi].
Lord Agelmar, armored and helmeted now like his soldiers, rode with the Black Hawk banner and the Three Foxes from the East Gate toward the sun, still only a red sliver above the trees.
Like a [hagane] [hebi] undulating to mounted [ketoru doramu], the [koramu] [kizu] its [michi] out of the [machi] four abreast, Agelmar at its [atama] hidden in the [mori] before its [o] left [faru] Dara [kīpu].
Like a steel snake undulating to mounted kettle-drums, the column wound its way out of the town four abreast, Agelmar at its head hidden in the forest before its tail left Fal Dara keep.
There were no [kansei] in the [machi] to [supīdo] them on their [michi], only their own [doramu] and their [penanto]’ cracking in the [kaze], [shikashi] their [me] looked toward the rising [nichi] with [mokuteki].
There were no cheers in the streets to speed them on their way, only their own drums and their pennants’ cracking in the wind, but their eyes looked toward the rising sun with purpose.
Eastward they would [sanka shimasu] [sonota] [hagane] [hebi], from [faru] Moran, behind [ō] Easar himself with his [musuko] at his [saido], and from Ankor Dail, that held the Eastern Marches and guarded the [sebone] of the [sekai]; from Mos Shirare and [faru] Sion and Camron Caan, and all the [sonota] [yōsai] in Shienar, great and small.
Eastward they would join other steel serpents, from Fal Moran, behind King Easar himself with his sons at his side, and from Ankor Dail, that held the Eastern Marches and guarded the Spine of the World; from Mos Shirare and Fal Sion and Camron Caan, and all the other fortresses in Shienar, great and small.
Joined into a greater [hebi], they would [tān] [kita] to Tarwin’s [kangeki].
Joined into a greater serpent, they would turn north to Tarwin’s Gap.
Another exodus had begun at the same [jikan], using the [ō]’s [mon] that led out on the [michi] to [faru] Moran.
Another exodus had begun at the same time, using the King’s Gate that led out on the way to Fal Moran.
[kāto] and [wagon], [hitobito] mounted and [hitobito] afoot, [unten] their livestock, carrying [kodomo tachi] on their [bakkuappu shimasu], [kao] as long as the [asa] [kage].
Carts and wagons, people mounted and people afoot, driving their livestock, carrying children on their backs, faces as long as the morning shadows.
[fu honi] to [kyūka] their [jūtaku], perhaps forever, slowed their [ashi], yet [kyōfu] of what was coming spurred them, so that they went in bursts, [ashi] dragging, then breaking into a [jikkō] for a dozen [hochō] only to [aki] back, once more, to shuffling through the [hokori].
Reluctance to leave their homes, perhaps forever, slowed their feet, yet fear of what was coming spurred them, so that they went in bursts, feet dragging, then breaking into a run for a dozen paces only to fall back, once more, to shuffling through the dust.
A few paused [soto ni] the [machi] to [udedokei] the [heishi]’ armored [rain] winding into the [mori].
A few paused outside the town to watch the soldiers’ armored line winding into the forest.
[kibō] blossomed in some [me], and [inori] were muttered, [inori] for the [heishi], [inori] for themselves, before they turned [minami] again, trudging.
Hope blossomed in some eyes, and prayers were muttered, prayers for the soldiers, prayers for themselves, before they turned south again, trudging.
The smallest [koramu] went out of the Malkier [mon].
The smallest column went out of the Malkier Gate.
Left behind were a few who would remain, [heishi] and a sprinkling of older [dansei], their [tsuma] [shin da] and their [zōshoku saseta] [kodomo tachi] [tsukuri] the [osoi] [michi] [minami].
Left behind were a few who would remain, soldiers and a sprinkling of older men, their wives dead and their grown children making the slow way south.
A [saigo] [ichi nigiri] so that whatever happened in Tarwin’s [kangeki], [faru] Dara would not [aki] undefended.
A last handful so that whatever happened in Tarwin’s Gap, Fal Dara would not fall undefended.
Ingtar’s [gurē] [fukurō] led the [michi], [shikashi] it was Moiraine who took them [kita].
Ingtar’s Gray Owl led the way, but it was Moiraine who took them north.
The most important [koramu] of all, and the most desperate.
The most important column of all, and the most desperate.
For at least an [jikan] after they passed the [kyōkai seki] there was no [henkō] in [tochi] or [mori].
For at least an hour after they passed the borderpost there was no change in land or forest.
The [kanshu] kept them at a hard [hochō], as fast a [sanpo] as the [uma] could maintain, [shikashi] Rand kept wondering when they would [rīchi] the [kōhai].
The Warder kept them at a hard pace, as fast a walk as the horses could maintain, but Rand kept wondering when they would reach the Blight.
The [oka] became a little higher, [shikashi] the [kigi], and the [tsuru], and the [shitakusa] were no different than what he had seen in Shienar, [gurē] and all [shikashi] leafless.
The hills became a little higher, but the trees, and the creepers, and the underbrush were no different than what he had seen in Shienar, gray and all but leafless.
He began to feel warmer, [atatakai] enough to [suringu] his [gaitō] across the [tsukagashira] of his [sadoru].
He began to feel warmer, warm enough to sling his cloak across the pommel of his saddle.
“This is the best [tenkō] we’ve seen all [toshi],”
“This is the best weather we’ve seen all year,”
Egwene said, shrugging out of her own [gaitō].
Egwene said, shrugging out of her own cloak.
Nynaeve shook her [atama], frowning as [baai] listening to the [kaze].
Nynaeve shook her head, frowning as if listening to the wind.
“It feels wrong.”
“It feels wrong.”
Rand nodded.
Rand nodded.
He could feel it, too, though he could not say what it was exactly he was [kanji].
He could feel it, too, though he could not say what it was exactly he was feeling.
The [iwakan] went beyond the [saisho] [atataka] he could remember out of [tobira] this [toshi]; it was more than the simple [jijitsu] that it should not be so [atatakai] this far [kita].
The wrongness went beyond the first warmth he could remember out of doors this year; it was more than the simple fact that it should not be so warm this far north.
It must be the [kōhai], [shikashi] the [tochi] was the same.
It must be the Blight, but the land was the same.
The [nichi] climbed high, a [akai] [utsuwa-bw, tama-bl] that could not give so much [atataka] despite the cloudless [sora].
The sun climbed high, a red ball that could not give so much warmth despite the cloudless sky.
A little [dōjini, tsutsu, issun] later he unbuttoned his [kōto].
A little while later he unbuttoned his coat.
[ase] trickled down his [kao].
Sweat trickled down his face.
He was not the only one.
He was not the only one.
Mat took his [kōto] off, openly displaying the [gōrudo]-and-[rubī] [dagā], and wiped his [kao] with the [owari] of his [sukāfu].
Mat took his coat off, openly displaying the gold-and-ruby dagger, and wiped his face with the end of his scarf.
Blinking, he [makimodoshi] the [sukāfu] into a [semai] [obi] [hikui] over his [me].
Blinking, he rewound the scarf into a narrow band low over his eyes.
Nynaeve and Egwene fanned themselves; they rode slumped as [baai] they were wilting.
Nynaeve and Egwene fanned themselves; they rode slumped as if they were wilting.
Loial undid his high-collared [chunikku] all the [michi] down, and his [shatsu] as [yoku]; the Ogier had a [semai] [sutorippu] of [kami] up the [mannaka] of his [mune], as thick as [kegawa].
Loial undid his high-collared tunic all the way down, and his shirt as well; the Ogier had a narrow strip of hair up the middle of his chest, as thick as fur.
He muttered [shazai] all around.
He muttered apologies all around.
“You must forgive me.
“You must forgive me.
Stedding Shangtai is in the [yama], and cool.”
Stedding Shangtai is in the mountains, and cool.”
His broad [hana no ana] flared, [zumen] in [kūki] that was becoming warmer by the [bun].
His broad nostrils flared, drawing in air that was becoming warmer by the minute.
“I don’t like this [netsu], and damp.”
“I don’t like this heat, and damp.”
It was damp, Rand realized.
It was damp, Rand realized.
It [kanjita] like the [shitsugen] in the [fukasa] of [natsu], back in the Two [kawa].
It felt like the Mire in the depths of summer, back in the Two Rivers.
In that boggy [numa] every [iki] came as [baai] through a [wuru] [mōfu] soaked in [atsui] [mizu].
In that boggy swamp every breath came as if through a wool blanket soaked in hot water.
There was no soggy [gurando] here – only a few [ike] and [sutorīmu], trickles to [dare-ka] used to the Waterwood – [shikashi] the [kūki] was like that in the [shitsugen].
There was no soggy ground here – only a few ponds and streams, trickles to someone used to the Waterwood – but the air was like that in the Mire.
Only Perrin, still in his [kōto], was breathing easily.
Only Perrin, still in his coat, was breathing easily.
Perrin and the [kanshu].
Perrin and the Warder.
There were a few leaves now, on [kigi] that were not [ebāgurīn].
There were a few leaves now, on trees that were not evergreen.
Rand reached out to [tacchi] a [eda], and stopped with his [te] short of the leaves.
Rand reached out to touch a branch, and stopped with his hand short of the leaves.
Sickly [kiiro] mottled the [akai] of the new [seichō], and [kuro] [hanten] like [byōki].
Sickly yellow mottled the red of the new growth, and black flecks like disease.
