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Summary

Mat Cauthon observes a tense standoff between Seanchan soldiers and Luca’s traveling performers, formulating plans to evacuate Tuon and her companions while remaining cautious of the dice spinning in his mind. A honey-skinned Standardbearer arrives, swiftly de-escalates the confrontation by punishing the offending soldiers, and offers the troupe enlistment in the Seanchan army, which Luca politely declines. After a brief exchange with Mat and a discreet bribe from Bollin, Mat investigates the nearby Aes Sedai wagon and discovers Joline, Teslyn, Edesina, Bethamin, Seta, and Setalle Anan inside. He finds the sisters channeling to stop Bethamin and Seta from striking Joline, so he uses his foxhead medallion’s ter’angreal properties to disrupt the flow by physically restraining and spanking Joline until the channeling ceases. Setalle Anan deduces the nature of his artifact and requests to see it, while the sisters argue over whether to shield or teach Bethamin, who has accidentally begun channeling again. Mat slips out to avoid Joline’s furious Warders, Blaeric and Fen, and retreats to his wagon to sleep on the floor, deeply wary of the escalating dangers surrounding him.

Characters

• Mat / Mat Cauthon — Observes a standoff between Seanchan troops and performers, formulates plans to evacuate Tuon's group while remaining cautious of the dice spinning in his mind. Uses his foxhead medallion to disrupt channeling inside the Aes Sedai wagon by physically restraining Joline until the flow ceases. Deduces Setalle Anan recognizes his artifact, avoids confrontation with Joline's Warders, and retreats to sleep on the floor while remaining deeply wary of the surrounding threats.
• Standardbearer (Standardbearer) — Arrives in striped armor to halt a riot between soldiers and performers, fines and punishes the three offending men, and offers Luca’s troupe enlistment in the Seanchan army before dismissing them. Notices Mat remaining behind, jokes about making him an officer, and accepts a discreet bribe from Bollin without further comment.
• Luca / Valan Luca — Attempts to bow and thank the Standardbearer but politely declines her offer to join the Seanchan army, prioritizing his troupe's performance over military glory. Quickly disperses the lingering performers back to their stands while casting wary glances at the woman.
• Bollin — Collects a silver penny bribe from Mat for the Standardbearer after she resolves the confrontation, then returns to his duties without further incident.
• Petra — Initially prepares to defend the show grounds with clubs but slips away once the Standardbearer disperses the crowd and no immediate trouble remains.
• Joline (Green sister) — Attempts to channel to stop Bethamin and Seta from striking her, only to be physically restrained and spanked by Mat until the flow of the Power is disrupted. Argues fiercely with Teslyn over Bethamin's fate, insists on teaching the woman to control her newfound ability, and later slams her Warders' door shut while glaring at Mat.
• Teslyn (Red) — Watches the channeling disruption with folded arms, commands Setalle Anan to remain still, and harshly advocates for shielding Bethamin until she can be killed. Echoes agreement that no one will stop Mat from intervening if Joline strikes him again.
• Edesina (Yellow) — Observes the channeling disruption alongside Teslyn, gasps when nothing happens to Mat after he strikes Joline, and joins Joline's side in arguing that Bethamin must be taught rather than left to die. Confirms to Setalle Anan that Cadsuane Melaidhrin once spoke of passing a test for a shawl.
• Bethamin — Channels unexpectedly, causing sparks to dance over the sisters and triggering her own terror as she realizes she can no longer stop drawing on the Power. Weeps uncontrollably while Seta rocks in horror, then calms down to dry tears with a handkerchief after the argument concludes.
• Seta — Stands rigidly beside Bethamin during the channeling incident, looks on in horror as her former friend begins drawing on the Power, and argues alongside Bethamin against teaching Joline's side of the debate before sitting down to shiver.
• Setalle Anan / Mistress Anan — Observes Mat's disruption of the channeling flow, correctly deduces he possesses a ter’angreal that stops the Power, and requests to see it while mentioning Cadsuane Melaidhrin. Joins the Aes Sedai's argument over Bethamin's fate as if holding equal standing, then watches the sisters with thoughtful scrutiny.
• Blaeric — Waits at the wagon steps with Fen to confront Mat about the commotion inside, demands to know his involvement, and allows him to leave without violence after Mat deflects their questions by pointing them toward Joline.
• Fen — Stands beside Blaeric at the wagon steps, coldly questions Mat about his presence during the disturbance, and settles on the steps to wait rather than entering the wagon himself.