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Summary

Rand explains his strategic necessity for a Seanchan truce and outlines his plan to bind the Daughter of the Nine Moons once Bashere returns, prompting varied reactions from his companions. Loial becomes anxious about meeting his mother Covril and marrying Erith while leaving his unfinished book behind, but Cadsuane urges him to go. Verin departs to check on Tomas's aching knee in the rain, while Nynaeve leaves to find Lan, warning Rand that a terrible storm is approaching.

Characters

• Rand — Explains his strategic necessity for a Seanchan truce and outlines his plan to bind the Daughter of the Nine Moons once Bashere returns, while pondering why Min feels profound sadness.
• Cadsuane — Speaks metaphorically about survival strategies for Tarmon Gai'don before urging Loial to visit his mother and dismissing his concerns about his unfinished book.
• Loial — Panics over meeting his mother Covril and marrying Erith while leaving his incomplete book behind, slowly packing his ink supplies while moaning about his work.
• Harilin — Continues playing cat's cradle with Enaila, remaining unfazed by the serious strategic discussions taking place around them.
• Enaila — Plays cat's cradle alongside Harilin while armed for combat, showing no concern for the weight of Rand's declarations.
• Alivia — Nods fiercely at Rand's words, hoping the coming conflict will finally allow her to crush those who kept her collared for centuries.
• Logain — Fills a winecup but holds it without drinking, his expression unreadable as he listens to Rand's strategic pronouncements.
• Verin — Studies Rand intently before declaring she will find Tomas, noting that the rain aggravates his knee despite his denials.
• Min — Feels a bone-deep sadness that puzzles Rand, who wonders about the source of her sudden emotional weight.
• Ethin — Totters into the room to announce the arrival of three Ogier guests, including Loial's mother Covril.
• Covril — Arrives with two other Ogier damp from the rain and waits anxiously for Loial in the upstairs sitting room.
• Erith — Awaited by Loial as his intended bride, she is expected to take him back to Stedding Tsofu once they meet.
• Tomas — Suffers from a knee that aches in the rain, prompting Verin's intention to seek him out.
• Lan — Awaited by Nynaeve, who leaves to join his company and warns of an approaching terrible storm.
• Bashere — Expected to return soon so Rand can finally learn the time and place to meet the Daughter of the Nine Moons.