Matrim Cauthon
Chapter 1 - An Empty Road
Mat / Mat Cauthon / Matrim
Rand's friend who crouches beside the cart to whisper about a terrifying stranger on a black horse that he also encountered. He joins Rand in helping unload the cider at the inn, relieved by the news of the gleeman but still unsettled by the memory of the rider.
Chapter 2 - Strangers
Mat / Matrim Cauthon / Mat Cauthon
Mat accompanies Rand to the inn, evades the blacksmith's notice regarding a prank, and listens to Ewin's description of the strangers. He meets Moiraine, bows awkwardly, accepts her coin, and expresses skepticism about her identity as a Warder's companion.
Chapter 3 - The Peddler
Mat / Matrim Cauthon — aliases: Matrim
Mat eagerly listens to Fain's news and excitedly discusses the possibility of seeing the False Dragon with Rand and Perrin. He attempts to taunt Old Bil Congar about the Dark One, gets scolded by Nynaeve, and later confirms to Egwene that he and the others saw the black-cloaked rider.
Chapter 4 - The Gleeman
Mat / Matrim Cauthon — aliases: boy
Mat watches Thom Merrilin with delight, shouting requests for fire-eating. He later debates with Rand and Perrin about the black-cloaked rider and volunteers for the village watch patrols.
Chapter 9 - Tellings of the Wheel
Mat / Mat Cauthon
Mat waits anxiously in the hall with his bow and quiver, expressing his unease about the situation before hurrying after Lan to join Rand in leaving the inn.
Chapter 10 - Leavetaking
Mat
Mat notices Rand's sword and jokes about his own bow before Lan sternly reminds them that any object can be a weapon if used with will. He leaves a note for his family and mounts his horse to leave the village.
Chapter 11 - The Road to Taren Ferry
Mat
Mat travels with the group, commenting on his desire for rest and food upon arriving at Watch Hill. He mocks Master Hightower's name upon their arrival at the ferryman's door.
Chapter 12 - Across the Taren
Mat
Mat grumbles through the foggy crossing and questions Moiraine about the sinking of the ferry, unable to understand the necessity of the action. He crowds into the hidden hollow with the others, listening to the conversation about the One Power.
Chapter 13 - Choices
Mat
Mat jokes about seeing the world and travels with the group, practicing juggling skills with Thom's guidance. He argues with Rand, discusses their destination with Mat, and watches the city of Baerlon with awe.
Chapter 14 - The Stag and Lion
Mat
Mat explores the inn's common room, listens to the noise, and joins the bath, where he nearly gossips about Trollocs to the attendant Ara before being stopped by Lan's glare. He participates in the private meal and eventually heads to bed, dismissing the threat of Trollocs as just a story.
Chapter 15 - Strangers and Friends
Mat
Mat discusses the shared nightmare with Rand, pranks Whitecloaks with a sling shot causing Rand to channel, and helps Rand flee the confrontation before meeting Thom.
Chapter 16 - The Wisdom
Mat
Rand remains behind while Moiraine and Nynaeve speak privately. Later, after the meeting concludes, Rand learns from Nynaeve that his father, Tam, is afraid of his tricks with outlanders.
Chapter 17 - Watchers and Hunters
Mat
Mat dances, guards the cloaks, and later rides with the group. He mentions a man who has been staring, and witnesses the Whitecloaks at the gate, muttering under his breath during the confrontation.
Chapter 18 - The Caemlyn Road
Mat
Mat rides with the group, shouting the ancient warcry of Manetheren during the battle and later admitting he cannot remember the words or their meaning. He is the only one unhorsed during the skirmish and identifies the ruined city as he is led into it by Lan.
Chapter 19 - Shadow’s Waiting
Mat
Mat excitedly leads the exploration of Shadar Logoth, eagerly accepts Mordeth's offer of treasure, and attempts to take the gold before being pulled away by Rand and Perrin as the city's dangers manifest.
Chapter 20 - Dust on the Wind
Mat
Mat follows Rand through the city, narrowly avoiding Trollocs. He finds a brief moment of respite with Rand before they board the Spray. He contributes his silver coin for the passage and listens to Thom's fabricated story with wide eyes.
Chapter 24 - Flight Down the Arinelle
Mat
Mat broods in the bows of the ship, refusing to discuss his nightmares. He reveals to Rand that he took a golden dagger from the treasure in Shadar Logoth, insisting they keep this secret from everyone else, including Thom and Domon, due to distrust of the crew.
Chapter 26 - Whitebridge
Mat
Mat arrives in Whitebridge, tense and nervous about being hunted. He argues with Thom about fleeing to Illian and clutches the golden dagger from Shadar Logoth. When the Myrddraal attacks, Mat draws his dagger in fear before being forced to run by Thom, fleeing the town with Rand and fearing for their own safety.
Chapter 31 - Play for Your Supper
Mat
Mat travels with Rand, remaining highly suspicious of every person they meet, including farmers and innkeepers. He refuses to sell his dagger and argues with Rand about their destitution. He entertains the Grinwell children with juggling to earn their favor and later performs at an inn in Arien to secure a room and food.
Chapter 32 - Four Kings in Shadow
Mat
Mat accompanies Rand through Four Kings, performing juggling acts to entertain the crowds at The Dancing Cartman. He shares Rand's suspicions about Howal Gode and helps block the storeroom door. When Gode confronts them, Mat draws his dagger and, after the lightning strike destroys the barriers, he follows Rand into the storm, shaken but alive.
Chapter 33 - The Dark Waits
Mat
Mat rides in the cart, complaining of light sensitivity and suspicion of everyone they meet. He protects Rand during the fever and confronts the pale woman in the stable, using the ruby-hilted dagger to pin her to the wall and threaten her, forcing their escape. He struggles to support the weakened Rand on the road until Kinch stops for them.
Chapter 34 - The Last Village
Mat
Mat accompanies Rand, sharing their exhaustion and fear as they sleep in haystacks and evade detection in Carysford. He is reluctant to accept Bunt's ride but eventually agrees, sitting wary in the cart and stifling his yawns while listening to the old man's monologue.
Chapter 35 - Caemlyn
Mat
Mat is horrified by the noise and crowds of Caemlyn, nearly panics at the mention of Fades, and reluctantly follows Rand's lead. He clutches the Shadar Logoth dagger, questions the safety of their plan, and is drawn by the smell of food at The Queen's Blessing, where he remains wary of Innkeeper Gill.
Chapter 36 - Web of the Pattern
Mat
Mat sits with Rand in the common room, frowning at his food and expressing deep pessimism about the fate of their missing friends. He retreats to the attic room, hiding from Rand under his cloak and boots, refusing to engage in conversation.
Chapter 39 - Weaving of the Web
Mat
Mat remains in his room at The Queen's Blessing, curled up in bed and refusing to see the celebration or leave the room due to his suspicion and fear. He eats meals brought to him by Rand but stays hidden.
Chapter 41 - Old Friends and New Threats
Mat / Mat Cauthon
Mat lies in bed, feverish and paranoid, accusing his friends of being impostors. He attempts to strike Moiraine with the Shadar Logoth dagger before Lan restrains him, his eyes burning with hate.
Chapter 42 - Remembrance of Dreams
Mat
Mat appears briefly cured by Moiraine, acting with his usual swagger while concealing the Shadar Logoth dagger. He listens to the briefing on the Eye of the World and recalls that Ba'alzamon mentioned the name Davian, though he cannot remember other details clearly. He expresses his fear of having the Dark One inside his head again.
Chapter 43 - Decisions and Apparitions
Mat
Mat demands to know why they must go to the Blight and later recounts his dream of Ba'alzamon, in which the entity claimed to know his face. He wakes clutching the dagger, distressed that the Dark One recognizes him, and lies awake in fear alongside Rand.
Chapter 44 - The Dark Along the Ways
Mat
Mat stays close to Rand, worrying about Perrin's behavior. He passes through the Waygate in normal speed, staring at the darkness, and eventually eats bread and cheese while riding, finding the journey almost boring until the bridge ends.
Chapter 45 - What Follows in Shadow
Mat
Mat looses an arrow into the dark and later scrubs his mouth in horror at the sight of the frozen Trollocs. He feels the approach of Machin Shin and expresses fear as they flee through the burning gate.
Chapter 46 - Fal Dara
Mat
Mat rides with the group, shivering from the cold and complaining about the situation. He observes the empty farms and the crowded, silent streets of Fal Dara. Later, in Lord Agelmar's study, he recognizes the filthy stranger as Padan Fain and reacts with fear when Fain reveals his corruption.
Chapter 47 - More Tales of the Wheel
Mat
Mat slouches nervously, occasionally touching the Shadar Logoth dagger, and mutters impatiently about the delay in Moiraine's meeting with Fain. He listens to Agelmar's history and the revelations about Fain's long pursuit.
Chapter 48 - The Blight
Mat — aliases: Matrim Cauthon
Mat travels with the group, removing his coat due to the heat and displaying the Shadar Logoth dagger. He complains about the conditions, vomits from the stench of the Blight, and makes a fearful comment upon seeing the lake monster before Moiraine's illusion hides their camp.
Chapter 49 - The Dark One Stirs
Mat
Mat rides with a bow nocked, shouting Manetheren phrases as he shoots arrows at the attacking trees and creatures. He is bounced in his saddle while fleeing the Worms and later incredulously asks if worms scared off the attackers. He is startled when the Blight ends and watches the Green Man.
Chapter 50 - Meetings at the Eye
Mat
Mat stares in awe at the Eye of the World and tests its surface by dropping a stone into it, causing the liquid to swell and absorb the rock. He recoils in horror at the Forsaken, drawing his Shadar Logoth dagger when Nynaeve is attacked, but is stopped from reaching them by an invisible force and flees with the others.
Chapter 52 - There Is Neither Beginning Nor End
Mat
Mat arrives with the group, complaining that Moiraine stopped them from looking for Rand. He retrieves fragments of the Dark One's prison seal and examines the treasures, reacting with awe to the Horn of Valere and shock at the realization of the artifacts' power and the Dark One's weakness.
Chapter 53 - The Wheel Turns
Mat
Mat rides in single file with his bow ready, following Lan out of the Blight. He questions Moiraine about the 'mighty blow' they struck, but receives no answer. He remains in Fal Dara with the group, unaware of Rand's secret plans to flee.