Chapter 10 - A Village in Shiota

Summary

Mat rides alongside Tuon and Selucia as they approach a deserted village in Shiota, where a peddler on paved stones warns them of danger before he and the entire settlement sink into hard-packed clay and vanish. The troupe panics until Luca delivers a persuasive speech about future profits in Lugard and Caemlyn, successfully redirecting their route while Thom Merrilin wagers that the showman will sway the crowd. As the group settles on their path, Mat notices the three Aes Sedai studying Tuon rather than him, realizing they are plotting to take her to Tar Valon and forcing him to weigh his word against their schemes.

Characters

• Mat (Toy) — Observes the peddler and village sink into clay, feeling dread but recognizing the event as beyond his ability to stop. Listens to Luca's persuasive route proposal and wagers a gold crown with Thom Merrilin that the showman will successfully calm the troupe. Notices the Aes Sedai studying Tuon instead of him, calculating how to protect her while navigating their hidden political maneuvers.
• Tuon — Rides beside Mat discussing omens and horse training while maintaining a composed demeanor throughout the crisis. Expresses interest in seeing Lugard and Caemlyn, exchanging silent signals with Selucia that frustrate Mat's attempts to read her intentions. Remains cryptic about her long-term plans as the group processes the vanished settlement.
• Selucia — Conceals her shock from the vanishing village behind a composed expression while riding on Tuon's other side. Exchanges silent finger-wriggles with Tuon and maintains control of her mount during the equine panic. Agrees to Tuon's interest in the proposed cities without voicing opposition or breaking her composure.
• Thom Merrilin — Observes Luca's crowd management tactics and wagers a gold crown with Mat that the showman will successfully redirect the troupe toward Lugard. Notes Luca's skill with words while dismissing his ability to match a true gleeman, remaining confident in his assessment of the situation.
• Joline (Aes Sedai) — Glides up the road with her sisters, seemingly unfazed by the vanishing village but focused on the vanished peddler's hat. Stands beside Teslyn and Edesina, shifting her attention from the phenomenon to studying Tuon's reactions as they consider their next move. Maintains a composed exterior while the troupe argues over their route.
• Blaeric (Warder) — Heels Joline up the road alongside Fen, maintaining a protective stance during the aftermath of the vanishing village. Stands ready to defend his mistress while the Aes Sedai assess the situation and the troupe debates their path forward.
• Fen (Warder) — Accompanies Blaeric in heeling Joline, remaining alert and protective as the sisters examine the empty road. Shares a guarded vigil with Blaeric while the troupe argues over their route, keeping watch over his mistress without intervening.
• Teslyn (Aes Sedai) — Picks up and drops the peddler's hat before walking into the meadow where the village stood to examine the ground alongside her sisters. Channels minimally if at all to avoid detection by Mat's ter'angreal while participating in the silent study of Tuon. Maintains Aes Sedai serenity as the group processes the impossible event.
• Edesina (Aes Sedai) — Walks through the vanished village site with Teslyn and Joline, peering at the grass and wildflowers for clues about the phenomenon. Stands beside her sisters in the road, shifting her focus from the ground to studying Tuon's reactions. Maintains a composed exterior while the troupe argues over their route.
• Luca — Listens to the troupe's panicked arguments before stepping forward to redirect them toward Lugard and Caemlyn with vivid descriptions of wealth and crowds. Uses his persuasive skills to calm the showfolk, effectively swaying them with promises of profit and future performances. Plans to hire ships for Tar Valon while maintaining his characteristic grandiosity and strategic foresight.
• Thorn — Strides through the crowd to place a hand on Pips' neck, signaling his readiness to travel separately from the main show. Nods grimly at Mat's suggestion that small parties would be safer, acknowledging the danger of hunting Tuon without the troupe's cover.
• Juilin — Follows Thorn closely with Amathera clinging to his arm, eyeing the frightened troupe members with caution. Accepts Mat's implication about traveling in smaller groups while maintaining a protective posture over his companion and the surrounding chaos.
• Amathera — Clings tightly to Juilin's arm as she surveys the panicked showfolk with visible fear. Remains close to her protector while absorbing the tense atmosphere following the vanishing village, relying on his presence for comfort.
• Noal — Appears troubled by the vanished village, shaking his head and muttering under his breath as he processes the event. Peers toward the Aes Sedai, likely anticipating a claim of prior visions regarding the phenomenon while suppressing his own unease.
• Olver — Stands near Noal, looking as though he desires comfort but suppresses the urge due to his age. Observes the tense aftermath alongside his companion without voicing his fears, maintaining a quiet vigil over the situation.
• Pips — Jumps in fear at the peddler's screaming horses before Mat regains control of the gelding. Shivers occasionally but stops attempting to bolt as the immediate panic subsides and the group settles on their path.
• Akein — Dances under Tuon's control during the equine panic, matching her composure while maintaining a steady seat. Remains under Tuon's command as she rides near Pips following the crisis, adapting quickly to the sudden tension.