Chapter 16 - The New Follower
Summary
In the Blue Reception Room, Elayne confronts mercenary captains Evard Cordwyn, Aldred Gomaisen, and Hafeen Bakuvun regarding their demands for increased pay due to casualties, while reprimanding Captain Mellar for neglecting his training duties. She firmly enforces their original contracts, threatens arrest for defection or harassment of her staff, and asserts Aes Sedai backing for her claim before they depart. Following the meeting, she reviews intelligence from Reene Harfor and Halwin Norry indicating Arymilla's forces are poised to take Caemlyn. Elayne then hires a cutpurse named Samwil Hark to track Mellar at night, weaving a Finder spell on him as collateral, and refuses Birgitte's suggestion to bypass legal procedures for his arrest. The division concludes with Deni Colford announcing the arrival of Lady Dyelin, offering Elayne hope for favorable news.
Characters
- Elayne (my Lady) — Confronts mercenary captains about their pay demands and Mellar's negligence, firmly enforcing their contracts and threatening arrest for defection or harassment of her staff. Refuses Birgitte's suggestion to bypass legal procedures for Mellar, citing the necessity of obeying the law she makes, before receiving news that Dyelin has arrived.
- Doilin Mellar (Captain) — Sweats and bows flamboyantly while being reprimanded by Elayne for neglecting his training duties; quickly suppresses his rage and departs after the mercenaries leave, leaving Elayne to suspect he is a spy or assassin who has killed previous pursuers.
- Evard Cordwyn — A tall Andoran mercenary with a ruby in his ear who complains about the lack of suitable replacements for his company and demands compensation for daily casualties.
- Aldred Gomaisen — A short Cairhienin mercenary with shaved head and chest stripes who mentions rumors of a besieged Tar Valon and two Amyrlins, then argues that mercenaries require death-money for fallen soldiers' families.
- Hafeen Bakuvun — A stout Domani mercenary who laughs at Mellar's departure and openly questions the need for Aes Sedai support while pressing Elayne for additional gold due to mounting casualties.
- Birgitte / Birgitte Trahelion (Captain-General) — Stands guard behind Elayne during the mercenary meeting, projects confidence through their bond, and later suggests arresting Mellar without proof before being firmly reminded by Elayne that the Queen must obey the law she makes.
- Reene Harfor (First Maid) — Oversees the meeting and delivers intelligence from spy Jon Skellit regarding Arymilla's forces preparing to ride into Caemlyn, noting the spy's fear of being discovered.
- Halwin Norry (First Clerk) — Stands quietly during the audience, presents a report on Mellar's previous pursuers dying under suspicious circumstances, and introduces the cutpurse Samwil Hark as a new follower to track him.
- Samwil Hark — A remarkably successful but unmemorable cutpurse who claims innocence and past service to Elayne's mother; agrees to follow Mellar at night in exchange for exile to Baerlon instead of hanging, accepting a Finder weave on his clothing as collateral.
- Deni Colford — A heavyset Guardswomen captain who ignores Elayne's order to keep her women outside and later enters the room to announce Lady Dyelin's arrival.
- Dyelin (Lady) — Arrives at the palace after freshening herself, prompting a surge of hope in Elayne that she may finally bring good news regarding the political situation.