The gang sneaks through Caemlyn, finds the Waygate, and steps into the dark, creepy hell-road where physics is optional and bridges are missing chunks.
Winding their way through the predawn streets of Caemlyn, Loial guides the group toward a shop. The Waygate is in the cellar, so they head around back and let themselves inside.
The entrance into the Ways is guarded by a gate wrought from living stone. Moiraine seems to have knowledge of these gates, because she is able to discern a specific leaf in the artwork adorning the gate and move it from one place to another. That seemed… too easy. I was expecting she would need to channel, or Loial would need to sing at it, or Lan would perform a secret knock. But just pick up a leaf and move it from one place to another? Good luck keeping that a secret. This is like hiding your house key under the doormat.
The stone gate swings open and reveals the shimmering entrance into the Ways. As each member of the group passes through the mystical veil, we learn that time passes more slowly in the Ways. Apparently, Jordan liked Einstein’s theory of relativity enough to weave it into the Pattern.
The darkness in the Ways is oppressive as Loial guides them along paths and bridges. He uses Guiding stones like they’re mall directories for the world’s worst shopping trip. Everything is proceeding according to plan… until Loial stops dead. The bridge ahead is missing a chunk the size of a Two Rivers sheep pasture. Apparently, even in nightmare realms, infrastructure sucks.