Chapter 6 - A Stave and a Razor

Summary

Mat Cauthon extends his stay in Jurador with Valan Luca’s traveling show, enduring heavily spiced breakfast and polite refusals from Luca and his wife Latelle before venturing into town. He purchases a black yew bowstave and successfully haggles for a rare razor mare from the stablekeeper Toke Fearnim, all while monitoring the ominous spinning of dice in his mind. Upon returning to the show grounds, Mat observes Aludra receiving supplies for her fireworks and secures a spot for his new horse before visiting Tuon’s wagon. Inside, he shares breakfast with Tuon, Selucia, Noal, and Olver, accepting the pet name "Precious" as part of an unspoken game while listening to Noal recount his past connection to the legendary Jain Farstrider. The gathering is abruptly interrupted by Juilin, who warns that Seanchan soldiers are establishing a presence across the road.

Characters

• Mat / Cauthon — Remains in Jurador for two extra days with Luca's show, buys a black yew bowstave and a razor mare after haggling with the stablekeeper. He reflects on his ta'veren luck and the dice spinning in his head, then visits Tuon's wagon where he calls her "Precious" and learns of approaching Seanchan soldiers.
• Luca / Valan Luca — Hosts Mat for breakfast in his gilded wagon, boasting about the show's success and a High Lady's warrant of protection while refusing to speed up their journey to Lugard.
• Latelle — Cooks heavily spiced porridge for her husband and coldly declines Mat's invitation to eat with them, showing clear disapproval of him.
• Toke / Fearnim — Stablekeeper who sells a five-year-old razor mare from Arad Doman after a lengthy negotiation over the price with Mat.
• Aludra — Takes delivery of two wagonloads of barrels for her fireworks displays and directs the driver to the horselines near the show grounds.
• Tuon — Sits with companions in her purple wagon, accepts Mat's pet name "Precious" as part of a game, and listens to Noal's story about Jain Farstrider before Juilin interrupts with news of Seanchan troops.
• Selucia — Sits beside Tuon, glares at Mat when he calls Tuon "Precious," and silently retrieves a cup for him after sliding off the bed.
• Noal / Charin — Shares tales of Ayyad villages with Olver, reveals he is a cousin of the legendary hero Jain Farstrider before his mind goes blank, and receives a tender compliment from Tuon.
• Olver — Eagerly listens to Noal's stories about Jain Farstrider, defends the hero's legacy, and drinks goat's milk while sitting at the table with Tuon.
• Juilin — Appears at the wagon door with a worried expression to announce that Seanchan soldiers are setting up across the road before hurrying off to warn Thera.