Chapter 36 - Under an Oak

Summary

Furyk Karede leads a small party into a hidden Seanchan encampment near the Malvide Narrows, where he discovers Mat Cauthon commanding the forces under the guise of Thom Merrilin. After Mat demands the release of his shields, Karede reveals that General Chisen is marching to ambush them and offers to escort Tuon away safely in exchange for allowing Mat's army to escape unharmed. Mat agrees on the condition that Tuon trusts Karede, prompting Tuon to publicly declare Matrim Cauthon as her husband based on a damane's prophecy regarding his ring and memories of Hawkwing. Mat accepts the fate but refuses to join the Empire, stating their paths will cross on a battlefield. After receiving news of nearby enemy patrols, Mat secures a dozen Deathwatch Guards and Ogier Gardeners as decoys. Tuon sheds her Seanchan attire, removes her veil, and departs with Karede, while he assesses Mat's character and acknowledges his growing affection for the High Lady.

Characters

• Furyk Karede (Banner-General) — Leads a small party into a hidden Seanchan encampment, confronts Mat Cauthon with intelligence about an approaching enemy army, and successfully negotiates Tuon's safe passage while keeping a dozen Guards as decoys.
• Ajimbura — Cuts off his tribal braid to show devotion to Karede, guides the party into camp, and surreptitiously leaves to warn Musenge of Tuon's location.
• Hartha — Strides alongside the mounted party with an Ogier Gardener, displaying his massive stature and calm demeanor while carrying a long-hafted axe.
• Melitene (der-sul'dam) — Rides with her damane connected by an a'dam, releases Mat's shields under orders, and gasps at his unexpected authority over the ter'angreal.
• Mylen — A tiny damane eager to see Tuon again, she is shielded until ordered to release them, and smiles broadly when Tuon prepares to depart.
• Talmanes Delovinde — Rides out to intercept Karede, recognizes the Deathwatch armor from Mat's descriptions, and politely escorts him to the campfire gathering.
• Thom Merrilin / Thorn Merrilin (gleeman) — Sits cross-legged playing a board game with a woman, clarifies he is not a general but merely a gleeman, and watches Mat handle the Seanchan confrontation.
• Setalle Anan / Mistress Anan — Sits on a camp stool reading a book, closes it to give Karede a composed nod, and observes the unfolding negotiations without interference.
• Joline Commondor — Rushes up demanding Mylen's release, argues with Teslyn and Edesina about Sheraine's betrayal, and complains to Mat about his lack of respect for Aes Sedai.
• Teslyn Narishma — Stands with Joline and Edesina, firmly states that Sheraine would have betrayed them, and watches silently as Mat commands the shields to be released.
• Edesina Sorenthil — Agrees with Teslyn regarding Sheraine's treachery, later offers a helpful but slightly confused comment about the Aelfinn and ter'angreal in Tear.
• Egeanin Tamarath — Stands with Domon and another woman at the campfire, fixes her blue eyes on Karede in challenge, and watches the Seanchan confrontation unfold.
• Domon — Stands beside Egeanin with a shortsword hilted, staring at Karede as if ready to second her challenge, and observes the tense standoff.
• Tuon — Arrives on a black-and-white horse, publicly declares Matrim Cauthon her husband based on a damane's prophecy, sheds her Seanchan clothing and veil before departing with Karede.
• Selucia — Rides at Tuon's side with a scarlet scarf wrapped around her head, laughs uproariously at Joline's complaint, and subsides when Tuon wags fingers at her during the marriage announcement.
• Mat Cauthon / Matrim Cauthon (Tylin's Toy, General Merrilin) — Commands the release of his shields, negotiates Tuon's safe passage by bluffing about enemy numbers, accepts her marriage declaration as ta'veren fate, and secures a dozen Guards as decoys before she leaves.
• Vanin — Gallop up on a dark chestnut to report that ten thousand soldiers are nearby asking about Deathwatch armor and offering a bounty for Tuon's head.