Chapter 28 - A Cluster of Rosebuds

Summary

Mat Cauthon travels north with Valan Luca’s traveling show through relentless winter rain, frustrated by the slow pace but constantly anxious about Seanchan patrols and horse warrants. He observes the tense dynamic between the Aes Sedai and sul’dam traveling with them, noting their attempts to gather intelligence while maintaining a low profile. Mat visits Tuon in her wagon, bringing gifts and playing stones to appease her, only to learn from Egeanin that he accidentally pledged himself as her husband during their escape. Despite his panic, he continues nightly visits and evening walks with Tuon, who remains quietly observant. After crossing the Eldar River at Coramen and performing in Jurador, Mat finally agrees to complete the marriage ceremony; Tuon’s smile instantly silences his internal dice warning.

Characters

Mat — Navigates the slow pace of Luca’s show while managing anxiety over Seanchan patrols and an accidental marriage pledge, ultimately agreeing to complete the ceremony after a smile instantly silences internal dice warnings.
Valan Luca — Leads the traveling show northward with a focus on profit and grandeur, complaining about expenses and insisting on stopping at every settlement despite Mat’s urgency.
Chel Vanin — Cooks stew in the rain while revealing his skills as a farrier, tracker, and horse-thief, and pessimistically predicts their slow progress to Lugard.
Gorderan — Drives tent pegs in the mud and warns Fergin against hiring horse handlers to avoid theft of their gear.
Fergin — Grumbles about guarding the women in the rain, accidentally hits his thumb with a hammer, and learns why they must pitch the tent themselves.
Harnan — Shares a tent with Gorderan and Metwyn, later appears at night to report that the perimeter is quiet while keeping his distance from an irate Egeanin.
Metwyn — Co-shares a tent with Harnan, Gorderan, and Vanin during the slow northern march.
Noal / Noal Charin — Offers to eliminate Tuon for Mat but is firmly refused, later recites a Dragon Prophecy verse about fortune and ravens while playing with Olver.
Blaeric — Sits up in blankets as Mat approaches the Aes Sedai’s wagon, silently observing the tense confrontation inside without speaking.
Fen — Remains wrapped in blankets near Blaeric, watching Mat enter the wagon without speaking or reacting to the storm outside.
Edesina / Edesina Sedai — Confronts Mat about sending watchdogs after her group, asserts independence from his orders, and maintains a tense alliance with the sul’dam.
Bethamin — Acts as the de facto leader among the sul’dam, calmly reports Seanchan rumors of an eastern campaign toward Illian, and enforces strict protocols on her companions.
Seta — Eagerly offers to eavesdrop in towns for Mat, curtsies obsequiously, and trails the Aes Sedai to monitor them while gathering intelligence.
Renna — Suggests using an a’dam to confine the Aes Sedai, bows formally to Mat, and works alongside Seta to gather intelligence for their captor.
Teslyn / Teslyn Sedai — Relays military rumors about Seanchan targeting Illian, displays lingering fear of the sul’dam, and maintains a grateful but formal demeanor toward Mat.
Joline / Joline Maza — Maintains haughty Aes Sedai serenity while glaring at the sul’dam and Mat, refusing to acknowledge the Seanchan women as beneath her notice.
Thorn / Thorn Merrilin — Reports intelligence gathered from taverns about a powerful new ally for Suroth and an impending Seanchan hammer-blow on Illian, growing sadder as Juilin becomes happier.
Juilin / Juilin Sandar — Delivers intelligence over mulled wine while caring for Thera, bridling at any suggestion that she might be unreliable to Seanchan interrogators.
Thera — Huddles beside Juilin in their tent, displaying a submissive tendency to kneel at drawling accents that Mat fears would compromise her cover.
Lopin — Sits cross-legged in Mat’s tent, examining his coats for repairs while Thorn reports intelligence and the group discusses their route.
Nerim — Assists Lopin in inspecting Mat’s clothing for necessary mending during their northern journey, remaining quietly focused on his task.
Domon — Insists on flipping a coin with Mat for sleeping arrangements, fiercely defending Egeanin’s pride when she refuses to visit Tuon alone.
Egeanin / Leilwin — Learns from Mat that he accidentally pledged himself as her husband, reacts with stoic fury to being forced into the role of a shea dancer, and throws away the expensive necklace Tuon gave her.
Tuon / Tuon Athaem Kore Paendrag — Plays stones with Mat while deflecting personal questions, accepts gifts through Selucia, and quietly agrees to evening walks before finally smiling to silence his panic over their marriage.
Selucia — Enforces strict Seanchan protocol, sneers at Mat’s gifts, and commands Egeanin to wear the necklace while maintaining a protective distance from her mistress.
Setalle — Watches Mat closely, warns him against lounging near their wagon, and maintains an uneasy alliance with Selucia while traveling as Tuon’s companion.
Olver — Plays Snakes and Foxes with Tuon, excitedly shares lore about the Ayyad from Noal, and carefully learns to curtsy before departing for bed.
Pips — Carries Mat across the Eldar River ferry while he anxiously watches Tuon’s purple wagon disembark, appearing ordinary enough to avoid suspicion.
Mistress Anan — Mentioned by Tuon as having called Mat a scoundrel, highlighting his notorious reputation among her people and the reach of Seanchan gossip.
Suroth — Referenced in rumors that she has secured an alliance with a powerful king to gain access to vast new lands for the Seanchan Empire.