ChapterTrack

Chapter 41 - Old Friends and New Threats

Summary

Rand returns to The Queen's Blessing and reunites with Master Gill and Loial in the library, recounting his encounter with Queen Morgase and Elaida. He witnesses Lamgwin and the inn's patrons successfully intimidate a group of Whitecloak officers attempting to search for Darkfriends. Shortly after, Moiraine, Nynaeve, Egwene, Perrin, and Lan appear in the kitchen, leading the Emond's Field group to Mat's room to find him feverish and paranoid due to the Shadar Logoth dagger. Moiraine identifies the dagger's evil influence, which is causing Mat to see enemies everywhere, and isolates herself with him to attempt a cure while the others remain outside the immediate danger.

Characters

  • Rand / Rand al'Thor — Rand runs to The Queen's Blessing, meets Lamgwin, and recounts his palace adventure to Master Gill and Loial. He watches the Whitecloak confrontation, then rejoins his friends to find Mat suffering from the dagger's corruption, where he is unable to help as Moiraine takes over the situation.
  • Lamgwin — Lamgwin sits by the inn door with a brindle cat, noting the presence of men showing the white outside. He later stands with his sword drawn across the door to ensure the Whitecloaks leave the inn safely.
  • Loial (Ogier) — Loial plays a game of stones with Master Gill and identifies Rand as ta'veren. He declines to enter the common room during the Whitecloak encounter and later agrees to travel with Rand to Tar Valon.
  • Gareth — Mentioned by Master Gill as having been arm-wrestling the Children of the Light commander.
  • Thom (gleeman) — Mentioned by Master Gill as the reason for his help to Rand, and by Rand when he learns of his death.
  • Gawyn (Lord Gawyn) — Described by Master Gill as accompanying the Daughter-Heir and noted as having made a comment about Rand's appearance outside the palace.
  • Morgase (Queen, Queen Morgase) — Mentioned by Master Gill and Rand in the context of Rand's audience with her.
  • Elaida — Mentioned by Rand as the source of trouble due to her position as Morgase's advisor, and by Master Gill in the context of the political tension in Caemlyn.
  • Gareth (Gareth Bryne, Captain-General) — Mentioned by Master Gill as having been arm-wrestling the Children of the Light commander.
  • 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.
  • Moiraine / Moiraine Sedai — Moiraine arrives at the inn with the other companions, enters Mat's room, and recoils from the evil of the Shadar Logoth dagger. She isolates herself with Mat to attempt to cure him of the dagger's corrupting influence, warning that the evil spreads like a plague.
  • Nynaeve / Wisdom — Nynaeve reunites with Rand, then attempts to treat Mat's fever, only to be pulled away by Moiraine as she realizes the nature of Mat's sickness. She asks if the condition is catching and if Moiraine can do anything.
  • Egwene — Egwene reunites with Rand and asks about the red wrappings on his sword. She is present in Mat's room when Moiraine identifies the dagger's evil and asks if the condition is catching.
  • Perrin — Perrin reunites with the group, appearing subdued with eyes that have turned slightly yellow. He sits by Mat's bed, stating that it would be better if they were all dead to stop bringing pain to others.
  • Lan (Warder) — Lan lounges in the stableyard doorway, then instantly intercepts Mat's attempt to strike Moiraine with the dagger, restraining Mat's wrist. He informs the group that Fades are gathering outside Caemlyn and will likely enter the city soon.
  • Gilda (serving maid) — Gilda appears in the library to warn Master Gill of Whitecloaks in the common room, then reappears to inform him that a lady is asking for Rand and Mat in the kitchens.
  • Master Gill / Gill — Master Gill plays stones with Loial, warns Rand to leave Caemlyn quickly due to Elaida's influence, and confronts the Whitecloak officers in the common room to protect his inn and guests. He greets Moiraine and accepts her offer to pay for her stay.
  • brindle_cat (brindle cat) — A brindle cat sits in Lamgwin's arms by the inn door, purring when scratched. It jumps from Master Gill's ankles and stalks out of the room when he answers the call about the Whitecloaks.
  • calico_cat (calico cat) — A calico cat saunters into the kitchen, stopping to strop Master Gill's ankles before Moiraine scratches it, causing it to move to her instead.
  • unknown_3 — A fuzzy gray cat springs from under the table, hissing at the calico cat, then streaks past Lan into the stableyard.