ChapterTrack

Chapter 32 - The First Ship

Summary

Mat Cauthon and Thom Merrilin board the Gray Gull to escape Tar Valon, using a forged order from the Amyrlin Seat and Mat's gold to secure passage and steal the captain's cabin from Huan Mallia, who reveals his political disdain for the White Tower and the Aes Sedai. While sailing downriver, the pair repels an attack by assassins, killing three men in self-defense. Concurrently, Rand al'Thor camps alone in the wilderness, playing music by a fire while tormented by dreams of Selene, Callandor, and friends trying to kill him, fearing he is losing his grip on reality.

Characters

  • Mat (young lord, farmboy) — Mat Cauthon uses a forged Amyrlin order and gold to trick the captain and crew of the Gray Gull into allowing passage and stealing the captain's cabin. He engages in conversation with Captain Mallia, subtly reinforcing the captain's bias against the White Tower, and later kills three assassins who board the ship at night to stop him.
  • Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom Merrilin boards the Gray Gull with Mat, observing the captain's arrangement of the cabin and later aiding Mat in repelling the nighttime assassin attack. He notes the strange luck and the paper, stating his lack of knowledge regarding High Lord Samon, eventually settling in to sleep beside him.
  • Mallia / Huan Mallia (Captain) — Huan Mallia, the captain of the Gray Gull, initially refuses to take Mat and Thom but accepts their gold and the Amyrlin's seal. He reveals his political allegiance to High Lord Samon of Tear and his hatred for the Aes Sedai, then moves into the passengers' cabin after Mat and Thom take his quarters.
  • Rand (ta'veren, Dragon Reborn) — Rand al'Thor camps alone in the wilderness, playing music by a fire while roasting a rabbit. He battles with his sanity, haunted by dreams of Selene and faces trying to kill him, fearing he is going mad.
  • Sanor — Sanor is one of two large, barefoot sailors on the Gray Gull who initially moves to throw Mat and Thom overboard, later standing by Captain Mallia when one of them retrieves his money chest.
  • Vasa — Vasa is one of the two large sailors on the Gray Gull who, along with Sanor, attempts to remove Mat and Thom before being commanded to stop. Later, Vasa is found dead on the tiller after the assassin attack.