Chapter 47 - To Race the Shadow

Summary

Escorted out of the Palace by Guardsman-lieutenant Tallanvor, Mat attempts to evade the suspicious Palace Guard captain Elber by feigning ignorance of palace politics and claiming loyalty to Andor. After Tallanvor departs, Mat returns to The Queen’s Blessing inn to warn Thom Merrilin and Basel Gill of Gaebril’s plot to assassinate Elayne, Egwene, and Nynaeve. Gill proposes using his contact, the gossip Gilda, to spread rumors about Gaebril’s intentions to Queen Morgase, a plan Thom supports by noting that Morgase’s suspicion will unravel the advisor’s secrets. Realizing Caemlyn is too dangerous, Mat and Thom agree to flee to Aringill to find a boat for Tear, with Thom deciding to join Mat to protect the girls, while Mat claims his luck remains unbroken by winning a dice game against Gill.

Characters

• Mat — Escapes the Palace and lies to Tallanvor about his time in Tar Valon before returning to the inn to reveal Gaebril's assassination plot. He accepts Thom's advice to spread rumors and agrees to leave for Aringill, winning a dice game to assert his luck.
• Tallanvor — Escorts Mat out of the Palace, intimidates Captain Elber into submission, and questions Mat about the White Tower before declaring his loyalty to Morgase and departing.
• Elber (fat officer) — Stands guard at the Palace gates with red, beady eyes and glares at Mat until Tallanvor silences him by revealing Mat delivered a letter from the Daughter-Heir, leaving Elber white with fear.
• Thom (Thom Grinwell) — Plays stones with Gill and confirms the gravity of Mat's warning about Gaebril. He reveals that his passion for Morgase has faded and agrees to join Mat in fleeing to Aringill to protect the girls.
• Basel Gill (innkeeper) — Listens to Mat's warning and proposes using the gossip Gilda to spread rumors about Gaebril to Queen Morgase. He worries about the political climate.