Chapter 32 - The First Ship

Summary

Mat Cauthon and Thom Merrilin evade the dockmaster's attempt to detain them by leaping onto the Gray Gull, where they bribe the captain, Huan Mallia, to secure his cabin. While sailing to Aringill, Mat and Thom are attacked by assassins in the passageway and on the deck; Mat kills two with his quarterstaff and Thom dispatches the third, allowing them to pass off the incident as river brigands. Throughout the journey, Mallia reveals his pro-Tear, anti-Aes Sedai political views, which Mat manipulates to his advantage. Concurrently, Rand al'Thor camps at a fire, playing the flute and tormented by dreams of Shadowspawn with familiar faces, though he remains convinced of Min's loyalty to him.

Characters

• Mat — Mat and Thom flee Tar Valon on the Gray Gull, bribing Captain Mallia with gold to secure a cabin. Mat kills two assassins with his quarterstaff while Thom kills a third, and he later uses dice to gamble, convinced his luck is supernatural rather than the result of the dice's weight. He manipulates Mallia’s political prejudices by suggesting the White Tower needs more Aes Sedai in the Stone of Tear, then sinks to his knees, consumed by fear and uncertainty after killing humans.
• Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom accompanies Mat onto the Gray Gull, where he offers to entertain the crew to avoid sleeping on deck. After the ship is attacked, Thom retrieves a lantern and kills a third assassin with his knife, later covering up the event by claiming they fought off river brigands. He complains about his shrunken leg and Mat's potential snoring as they settle into the captain's cabin.
• Mallia / Huan Mallia (Captain) — Captain Huan Mallia of the Gray Gull initially refuses Mat passage until bribed, then claims the captain's cabin by paying off passengers. He rambles extensively about his hatred for the White Tower, Mayene, and Illian, espousing the views of High Lord Samon, before retreating in shock after Mat’s suggestion regarding the Stone of Tear.
• Rand — Rand camps alone in the mountains, playing 'Rose of the Morning' on his flute while roasting a rabbit. He struggles with the taint of Saidin and the taunting faces in his dreams, specifically fearing for his friends but convincing himself that Min would never truly hurt him.