Chapter 46 - A Message Out of the Shadow

Summary

Mat Cauthon infiltrates the Royal Palace in Caemlyn by climbing a garden wall, where he eavesdrops on a man addressed as 'Great Master' ordering the assassination of Elayne Trakand, Egwene al'Vere, and Nynaeve al'Meara. Escaped the guards by a Guardsman-lieutenant named Tallanvor, who initially threatens him but escorts him to Queen Morgase, who is holding court in a courtyard with her advisor. Mat delivers Elayne's letter, and despite Morgase's anger at Elayne's disobedience, she treats Mat kindly, rewarding him for his loyalty and asking him to convey a message to her daughter. Gaebril dismisses Mat's warning about the assassination plot as a non-issue and then discusses with Morgase his desire to use her claim to the Sun Throne to launch a military campaign against Tear.

Characters

• Mat / Thom Grinwell — Mat Cauthon scales the Palace wall, overhears Lord Gaebril plotting to kill the three girls, and is escorted by Tallanvor to Morgase. He delivers the letter, accepts payment from Gaebril, and retreats after hearing Gaebril's plans for war.
• Tallanvor (Guardsman-lieutenant Tallanvor) — A Guardsman-lieutenant intercepts Mat in the garden, recognizes the Daughter-Heir's seal, and escorts Mat to the Queen while keeping a sword at his throat to ensure his compliance.
• Morgase / Queen Morgase (My Queen, Queen of Andor, Defender of the Realm) — Queen Morgase sits by a pool in the courtyard with Gaebril at her side. She reads Elayne's letter with anger and resentment, but treats Mat Grinwell with kindness and pity, rewarding him for his service and asking him to deliver a message to her daughter.
• Gaebril (Great Master) — Lord Gaebril stands behind Morgase, reading the letter and commanding the attention of the court. He orders the heads of the three girls to be brought to him, dismisses Mat's potential value as a witness, rewards Mat with gold to leave, and proposes to Morgase that she use her claim to launch an invasion of Tear.