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Lan squatted, looking at the map After tomorrow’s retreat, it appeared that they would reach a place called Blood Springs, named for the way the rocks beneath the water s, they would have a slight advantage of height because of the adjacent hills, and Agelainst the Trollocs with bowether And, of course, there would beover Agelht where and how he’d divide the attacks It was a looked particularly troubleso, the tent flaps rustled, and Agel softly with Lady Ells of Saldaea He stopped when he saw Lan, excusing hielmar did not slump with exhaustion, but Lan had learned to read beyond a ns of tiredness Redness to the eyes Breath that smelled faintly of flatwort, an herb chewed to keep the elmar was tired--but so was everyone else in caelressive for a retreat"

"Can we afford any other action?" Agelmar asked "We leave a swath of burned land behind us, destroying Shienar al Trolloc blood to quench those ashes"

Lan nodded

"Baldhere caelmar asked

Lan looked up sharply

Agel the loss of Yokata and his elmar said "I wondered if anyone would confront me on it; Baldhere is one to believe I should never haveyourself too hard"

"He is clever in tactics", Agelmar said, "but he does not know so reat captains I am not without flaw, Dai Shan This will not be my only error I will see them, as I saw this one, and learn froet oran I knowthem This battle will push me to my utmost, and I el in "I will listen to advice--I auessed"

"Very well", Lan said, rising "I trust your wisdo his eyes to hison his plans when Lan finally left to turn in

CHAPTER 19

The Choice of a Patch

Elayne found Bashere pacing on the east bank of the river

Riverbanks were a the few places that still felt alive to her So much was lifeless these days, trees that did not put forth leaves, grass that did not grow, animals that huddled in their dens and refused toThere was a sense of life to that, though the plants were dreary

The Alguenya was one of those deceptively hty rivers that looked placid from a distance, but could pull a woman under its surface until she drowned She re a hunting trip they’d taken along it He’d been speaking to her, too Maybe to her prih he’d always been careful not to overstep hihter-Heir