Lan discovers Darkhound tracks outside the inn. Moiraine returns with news that a Forsaken is meddling in Illian politics.
Lan asks how Perrin knew the Gray Men were there, and Perrin admits he could smell them. Outside the inn, they search for anything else lurking. Lan locates paw prints left in stone, which can only mean that a Darkhound had been there. Lan says they’re as deadly as Fades, only harder to kill. Don’t worry, guys, I’m sure Moiraine is just fine. On her own. With Darkhounds running around.
Lan has the same thought, so he tells the others to get some sleep while he runs off to find Moiraine. Perrin has another one of his stupid dreams, with Hopper sending him vague and useless warnings. My advice? Do yourself a favor and skip the whole fucking thing. He startles awake, and finds Faile watching him. Awkward flirtiness ensues.
Moiraine barges into the room, announcing that Perrin’s dream intel was right:
MOIRAINE: The Forsaken are loose, and one of them rules in Illian.
My dear Moiraine — I hate to be a pedantic asshole, but let’s review what we know. At the end of The Eye of the World, you personally met two of the Forsaken, Aginor and Balthamel. Maybe you suffered memory loss when Aginor beat your ass, but the point is, the Forsaken getting loose is an established fact. It has been for almost two fucking books. Don’t act so shocked that others have escaped and are meddling in world politics.