Untitled

Summary

The traveling troupe crosses a cursed patch of road and camps for the night, where heavy rain drives everyone into Mat’s tent. Egeanin confronts Juilin’s lingering prejudice against Seanchan and gently encourages Amathera to face her fears directly before departing with Domon for wine. Inside the tent, Noal abruptly stops a story about Sea Folk women when Olver asks what they do out of sight of land. Thorn reveals a letter from Moiraine, which confirms she survived her encounter with Lanfear and instructs Thorn to show it only to Mat if he asks, noting that Mat knows how to find her and referencing the game of Snakes and Foxes. Olver recalls Birgitte’s tale of the Tower of Ghenjei, a steel tower used to reach the Aelfinn lands, which triggers ta’veren memories in Mat of a similar shining tower. Mat shares his traumatic past encounters with the Eelfinn and Aelfinn, warning everyone to keep it secret. When Thom insists that Moiraine’s letter requires Mat’s presence for any rescue attempt, Mat reluctantly agrees, causing the ominous dice spinning in his mind to finally stop.

Characters

• Luca — Leads the troupe across the cursed road and selects a campsite, though his earlier boasts about Tar Valon draw skepticism from the group.
• Latelle — Clings tightly to Luca's arm as he navigates the dangerous patch of road before the group makes camp.
• Mat / Toy — Pays Thom his wager, reads Moiraine’s letter, and reluctantly agrees to help rescue her after revealing his past encounters with the Eelfinn and Aelfinn; his internal dice visions finally cease upon accepting.
• Thorn / Thom — Reveals a personal letter from Moiraine confirming she survived Lanfear, insists Mat must join any rescue attempt per her instructions, and quietly watches him until he agrees.
• Tuon — States her intention to make Tar Valon her capital, dismisses the vanished village as a sign of Tarmon Gai'don, and retreats to pray rather than socialize.
• Selucia — Rides alongside Tuon through the cursed road and accompanies her into the purple wagon for prayer.
• Metwyn — Takes charge of the horses once the troupe arrives at camp, leaving Mat to his guests.
• Lopin — Serves wine to the tent occupants before departing with Nerim to ensure the soldiers are drinking as ordered.
• Nerim — Assists Lopin in delivering wine and carrying cups, then leaves the tent under Mat’s orders.
• Harnan — Mentioned as being ordered by Mat to drink with the other soldiers to keep them occupied.
• Juilin — Brings Amathera and Olver to Mat’s tent, exchanges tense words with Egeanin over his prejudice against Seanchan, and departs for wine with Amathera.
• Amathera — Initially cowers in fear around Egeanin but is gently encouraged to make eye contact and stand tall before leaving the tent with Juilin.
• Olver — Plays games of stones and Snakes and Foxes, recalls Birgitte’s tale of the Tower of Ghenjei, and listens in awe as Mat recounts his traumatic encounters with the Eelfinn.
• Noal — Tells a story about Sea Folk women but abruptly stops when asked what they do out of sight of land, later pines for seeing the Tower of Ghenjei before hearing Mat’s warning.
• Domon / Bayle Domon — Arrives with Egeanin, jokes about giving up smuggling to marry her, and departs for wine after a brief exchange with Juilin.
• Egeanin / Leilwin Shipless — Confronts Juilin’s lingering prejudice against Seanchan, gently helps Amathera overcome her fear of looking at her, and departs for wine with Domon.
• Moiraine — Her letter confirms she survived her confrontation with Lanfear, warns that rescue attempts may fail or succeed only if Mat is involved, and references the game of Snakes and Foxes as a clue to finding her.