Chapter 30 - Daes Dae’mar

Summary

Rand al’Thor, Loial, and Hurin remain trapped in Cairhien by the political machinations of the Great Game, with Rand refusing invitations from King Galldrian and Lord Barthanes to avoid becoming entangled in the rivalry between House Riatin and House Damodred. After a futile attempt to locate Lord Ingtar and Lady Selene at the guardhouse, Rand discovers the inn they are staying in is on fire, likely caused by Darkfriends. He rushes into the burning building to rescue an unconscious Hurin, retrieves the Dragon banner from his burning room, and emerges just as Mat Cauthon, Perrin Aybara, and Ingtar finally arrive in the city.

Characters

• Rand (Lord Rand) — Rand struggles with the suffocating political intrigue of Cairhien, burning invitations from the King and a High Seat to avoid alliances. He attempts to find Ingtar at the guardhouse but is misled by the clerk, then rescues an unconscious Hurin from the burning inn, retrieving the Dragon banner before being greeted by his returning friends.
• Hurin (the sniffer) — Hurin grows increasingly formal and subservient toward Rand, prompting Rand to demand he stop bowing. He is found unconscious in the inn room with a head injury after the building is set on fire.
• Loial (the Ogier) — Loial accompanies Rand, advising him on Cairhienin politics and accompanying him to the guardhouse. He leaves his books to burn in the fire while carrying the unconscious Hurin out of the inn, and Rand retrieves the Dragon banner from his own room.
• Cuale (the innkeeper) — Cuale delivers sealed invitations to the hallway outside Rand's room and later directs the evacuation of furnishings from his inn as it burns, remaining frantic and focused on his silverware despite the danger.
• Mat — Mat appears at the scene of the fire, pale and drawn but grinning weakly, leading his horse through the crowd with his bow strung across his back.
• Perrin — Perrin arrives with Mat at the burning inn, his yellow eyes shining in the firelight, standing behind Mat as they greet Rand.
• Ingtar (Lord Ingtar) — Ingtar dismounts near the crowd outside the burning inn, wearing a high-collared coat instead of armor, with his sword hilt visible over his shoulder.