ChapterTrack

Chapter 40 - A Hero in the Night

Summary

Mat Cauthon and Thom Merrilin arrive in the refugee-swamped town of Aringill, where they struggle to find lodging before eventually securing a place in an inn's stable after winning a dice game with the owner, Jeral Florry. While resting in the hayloft, they witness Aludra, a fleeing Illuminator, arrive in the stable, where she is discovered and threatened by three pursuers led by Tammuz who seek to kill her for her secrets regarding fireworks. Mat intervenes from the loft, dropping down to fight off the attackers with his quarterstaff, after which Aludra rewards him with a bundle of dangerous fireworks. Mat offers her some of his gold before she departs toward Lugard, prompting Thom to suggest they also leave immediately to avoid drawing the attention of the Queen's Guards.

Characters

  • Mat (young hero) — Mat watches the refugee crisis in Aringill, donates coins to a starving family, and struggles to find lodging until winning a dice wager with Jeral Florry for access to the stable. He leaps from the hayloft to fight off four attackers pursuing Aludra, accepts fireworks as payment for his help, and offers her his own gold before departing into the rain.
  • Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom accompanies Mat to Aringill, comments on the suffering of the refugees, and attempts to negotiate for lodging with innkeepers. He observes Aludra’s arrival, identifies her as an Illuminator, and advises Mat to flee the stable quickly after their encounter with her pursers.
  • Aludra (Illuminator, Mistress of the Chapter House) — Aludra, an Illuminator fleeing the Guild, arrives in the stable seeking refuge from pursuers led by Tammuz. After Mat drives them off, she rewards him with a bundle of dangerous fireworks and departs for Lugard, revealing she has discovered how to make her lanterns work with sticks.
  • Tammuz — Tammuz, a large man in a yellow coat, leads three other men into the stable to confront Aludra and attempts to kill her for secrets she holds, but is struck by Mat's quarterstaff and falls to the ground before he can act.
  • Mallia (Captain) — Captain Mallia escorts Mat and Thom to the gangplank, expresses disdain for the refugees in Aringill, and feigns regret as they leave his ship, though he is relieved to lose them as customers.