Chapter 46 - A Message Out of the Shadow

Summary

Mat Cauthon climbs over the Royal Palace wall into the gardens and overhears a Great Master ordering the assassination of Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve. He is intercepted by Guardsman-lieutenant Tallanvor, who escorts him to Queen Morgase in a courtyard. Mat presents Elayne's letter, and despite Gaebril's suspicion, Morgase believes his account. Gaebril dismisses Mat with a purse of gold and immediately discusses political maneuvering regarding the Sun Throne with Morgase, who appears under his influence.

Characters

• Mat / Thom Grinwell (the boy, countryman) — Mat climbs the palace wall, eavesdrops on Gaebril's plot to kill the girls, and is escorted by Tallanvor to Morgase. He presents Elayne's letter, lies about his origins to maintain his cover, and accepts a purse of gold from Gaebril before backing away.
• Gaebril (Great Master, the dark man) — Gaebril orders Comar to ensure the deaths of Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve. He interrogates Mat, dismisses him with money, and then discusses lancing the 'festering sore' on Andor's border with Morgase, asserting political influence over the Queen.
• Morgase (Queen, my Queen) — Morgase sits by a pool in the courtyard, receiving Mat and Tallanvor. She reads Elayne's letter with mixed emotions, accepts Mat's news that her daughter is alive, and listens to Gaebril's political advice while appearing under his sway.
• Tallanvor (the officer, Guardsman-lieutenant) — Tallanvor encounters Mat in the palace garden, threatens him with his sword, and escorts him to Morgase. He remains vigilant and backs away when dismissed after Mat receives his payment from Gaebril.
• Comar (the other man) — Comar reports to Gaebril about the girls' movements and the difficulty of finding them in Tear, and reluctantly agrees to the order to bring their heads.