Chapter 52 - In Search of a Remedy

Summary

Mat Cauthon drags the ill Thom Merrilin to Mother Guenna’s house to seek treatment for the gleeman’s severe cough. After Mother Guenna forces Thom to drink a foul-tasting herbal remedy and warns him to apply a salve, she reveals that Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne have been taken to the Stone of Tear by High Lord Samon, who sent Aes Sedai to fetch them despite the law. Mat, realizing his friends are in danger and have been beaten, vows to rescue them and leaves Thom with the Wise Woman for care, heading back to his inn with renewed determination to infiltrate the Stone.

Characters

• Mat / Mat Cauthon / Matrim Cauthon — Mat drags the sick Thom to Mother Guenna, pays for medicines and information about his missing friends, and learns they have been taken to the Stone of Tear by High Lord Samon. He leaves Thom with the Wise Woman, punches a wall in frustration, and resolves to enter the fortress to rescue Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne.
• Thom (gleeman) — Thom suffers from a severe, hacking cough and wheezing, struggling to walk while Mat forces him to Mother Guenna’s house. He reluctantly drinks the foul tea and salve prescribed to him, protests Mat’s plan to leave him behind to storm the Stone, but is physically prevented from following by the Wise Woman’s strength.
• Mother Guenna (Wise Woman, Wisdom) — Mother Guenna treats Thom’s cough with a strong tea and salve, forcefully making him ingest the remedies. She reveals the location of Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne to Mat, noting they were taken by channelers sent by High Lord Samon, and promises to care for Thom while Mat attempts his rescue.