Chapter 15 - Gathering Darkness

Summary

Elenia Sarand rides through a muddy, snow-covered siege camp plotting against Arymilla Marne, successfully blackmailing Naean Arawn into writing a pledge of support. She endures Nasin Caeren's drunken advances before Arymilla arrives and distracts him with her maid Arlene, forcing Elenia and Naean to ride with her and share a tent as a suspected trap. Meanwhile, Daved Hanlon (also known as Doilan Mellar) kills a pursuing assassin in Caemlyn and visits Shiaine Avarhin, who displays a dead body, probes his relationship with Elayne, and orders him to arrange Seanchan escapes and warehouse fires while he internally vows to kill her.

Characters

• Elenia / Elenia Sarand — Rides through the muddy siege camp plotting against Arymilla, successfully blackmails Naean into writing a pledge of support, and endures Nasin's advances before being forced to ride with her rival. She simmers with fury over Arymilla's order for her to share a tent with Naean and resolves to kill either Arymilla or Nasin first.
• Naean / Naean Arawn — Meets Elenia in the camp and is coerced into writing a letter repudiating Arymilla while pledging House Arawn to Elenia's claim. She appears terrified of Taraboner retribution and reluctantly agrees to deliver the document.
• Nasin / Nasin Caeren — Interrupts Elenia and Naean with drunken, obsessive declarations of courtly love. He is successfully distracted by Arymilla, who sends her maid Arlene to occupy him in a warm tent.
• Arymilla / Arymilla Marne — Arrives on horseback, uses her maid to distract Nasin, and orders Elenia and Naean to ride with her. She cruelly commands the two women to share a bed as a suspected trap, though she believes she has successfully tamed them.
• Arlene — Arymilla's slim maid who is sent to occupy Nasin in his tent with spiced wine, successfully diverting the High Seat's attention from Elenia.
• Sylvase — Nasin's granddaughter and heir, who rides quietly behind Arymilla's group while her sycophants attempt to engage her in conversation. She maintains an unvarying, emotionless expression.
• Janny — Elenia's plump-cheeked maid who huddles in a cloak during the camp ride and later receives a promise of new dresses from her mistress after the successful encounter with Naean.
• Daved Hanlon / Doilan Mellar — Walks through Caemlyn at night, efficiently kills a pursuing assassin, and visits Shiaine Avarhin's house to report on palace spies and receive orders regarding Seanchan prisoners and warehouse fires.
• Falion — Serves as Shiaine's maid and punishment, reports details of two visitors to Hanlon, reveals her relationship with Murellin, and asks Hanlon for a sleep draught to drug him.
• Murellin — A hulking man who enters the kitchen to reveal he is Shiaine's assigned punishment for Falion, confirming his role in monitoring her until Moridin decides otherwise.
• Shiaine / Shiaine Avarhin — Hosts a meeting with Hanlon, displays a dead body under a blanket, and gives him orders to arrange Seanchan escapes and warehouse fires while probing his relationship with Elayne. She internally vows to kill him and Marillin Gemalphin.