New Spring/Chapter 20

==Summary==
:
The next morning, Moiraine tells the three men to call her Lady Alys. Bukama tells Lan that he should offer his own pledge to protect her as it is the proper thing to do. Lan does not pledge because he does not want to be entangled with Aes Sedai; he is also concerned that it may be taken as consent to be bonded as a Warder. Bukama is annoyed that Alys gave them silver for the escort, because a man should provide such service without reward. Ryne offers many compliments to Alys as they prepare to leave and she flirts back. Lan looks further at Alys who is obviously Cairhienin by her stature and dress, and thinks about the times he had been embroiled with them and their schemes. A Cairhienin Aes Sedai, if she was as she claimed, would be many times worse. They depart without eating but soon arrive at Manala where Alys demands to stop and have a meal.
They enter Manala where it is Bel Tine and celebrations are under way. Trolloc heads are staked on the side of the road which causes Alys to comment on them. Lan asks Alys where she had faced Trollocs before, but she does not say. Ryne finds an inn called The Plowman's Blade where Alys orders breakfast for everyone but declines rooms. Alys eats alone as the three argue about her at a different table. Bukama wants to ask Alys what she wants, Ryne thinks it is best not to ask Aes Sedai any questions. Lan does not think she is Aes Sedai at all, simply a wilder that Edeyn had perhaps set to watch them. Suddenly they notice that Alys has disappeared and Lan is surprised that Alys was able to leave without him noticing. Ryne sees that her horse is still there, so she likely has not gone far. Ryne wants to return the silver, leaving it at the table, and leave before she can return. Lan says that Bukama pledged to escort her so he will as well. As Lan will not leave, Ryne grudgingly stays. Lan takes Ryne outside to look for her, leaving Bukama behind at the inn in case she returns. Splitting off from Ryne, Lan finds Alys asking Mistress Marishma about Avene Sahera and she surprises Lan again by revealing that she noticed him eavesdropping. Lan offers help to find this Avene Sahera, but Alys declines and tells him only to wait for her at the inn. Bukama is pleased to know something of Alys's activities, but has no answer for the open question of why she followed them for a whole day before approaching.
==Characters==
*Moiraine Damodred/Alys
*Lan Mandragoran
*Bukama Marenellin
*Ryne Venamar
*Mistress Tomichi
*Mistress Marishna
===Referenced===
*Edeyn Arrel
*Avene Sahera
==Groups==
*Aes Sedai
==Places==
*Manala
*Kandor
*The Plowman's Blade