[ A barracks? That is a stark difference. The thought that these soldiers were anything but prepared for their emergence is lessening by the second, though apparently in some places more than others. ]

It really does sound like they were waiting...

[ For how long, she's not sure. But surely enough for a short skirmish that ended in death, from what she's seen. ]

We were out in the forest, it seemed so remote, and yet they were still there in time for us to come out.

[ Himeka thinks back on her own short attempt to resist and flashes Moiraine a wry smile. ]

The whips, right?