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A soundover his shoulder Footfalls and clothing rustling It was too late for novices, but servantslate meals Bryne and Gaeren’t the only ones who kept unusual hours in the White Tower

It ca, Gawyn slipped off his boots, then sneaked forward to glance around the corner

There was nothing Egwene’s door--inlaid with gold in the shape of Avendesora--sat closed, the hallway eainst the wall to slip his boots back on He wished Egould at least let Chubain set guards at her roo wene’s doorway Gawyn froze There wasn’t much of a dark patch there, only a shadow a few inches wide made by an alcove But as he studied that patch, he had trouble keeping his eyes on it His gaze slid free, like a dollop of butter on a hot turnip

It seeinally thought Why couldn’t he look straight at it?

There was a flash ofspun in the air Gawyn threw himself to the side, and steel struck stone One boot on, he dropped the other as he pulled his sword free The knife that had been thrown for his heart skidded across the tiled floor

Gawyn peered round the corner, tense So all black, a hood over the head

Gawyn took off after the person, sword held before hiait aard as his unbooted foot hit opposite his booted one The assassin was extreh the silent halls of the Tower; then he cut left The assassin would have to turn and coht

Gawyn burst into another hallway, charging on a heading that would cut off the assassin He skidded around the corner

The hallas empty Had the assassin doubled back? Gawyn cursed as he ran forward and reached the original hallway at the other end It was empty A doorway, perhaps? All would be dead ends If Gaaited until help ca Darkness Look for darkness There was a deep patch of it by a doorframe to his left Far too small to hold anyone, but he had that same sense of disorientation as he looked at it

A person leaped out, swinging a sword for Gawyn’s head He whipped his blade into Cutting the Reeds, knocking aside the attack The assassin wasadvantage in reach Yet the assassinat Gawyn in a series of thrusts, not using any sword for the Wind, as he was forced to act as if he were surrounded He barely kept the attacker at bay He could hear yells in the distance--guards responding to his call He shouted again

He could sense frustration in the attacker’s moves; the assassin had expected to defeat Gawyn quickly Well, Gawyn had expected the sa on this opponent was very difficult Gawyn’s blohen he could make them--hit air when they should have landed on flesh

Gaisted to the side, raising his blade for Boar Rushes Down the Mountain But that gave the assassin an opening; he flung another knife at Gawyn, forcing hiainst the wall, and the assassin fled down the hallway Gawyn rushed after, but he couldn’t keep up Soon the assassin was far away, darting to the left That direction led to a series of intersections