Chapter 32 - Dangerous Words

Summary

Rand al'Thor, accompanied by Ingtar, Loial, Verin, and disguised servants Mat and Hurin, enters Lord Barthanes Damodred's manor under the pretense of attending a party to locate the stolen Horn of Valere. Barthanes greets the group with calculated politeness, scrutinizing Rand's origins and connection to Aes Sedai while hinting at political maneuvers in the Great Game. Rand attempts to navigate the social intrigue, evading the advances of noblewomen Alaine Chuliandred, Belevaere Osiellin, and Breane Taborwin, and briefly reunites with Thom Merrilin, warning him of Barthanes's alleged treachery. Following a fabricated emergency involving Hurin's 'injured' servant, Rand is led away by Hurin to coordinate with Mat, leaving Thom to warn him about the dangers of Cairhien's political landscape.

Characters

• Rand / Rand al'Thor (Andoran, Lord Rand, young Lord Rand) — Rand enters Barthanes's manor, presenting himself as a lord to gain entry. He walks arrogantly to follow Verin's advice, engaging in tense, cryptic dialogue with Barthanes about his origins and the King of Andor. He evades the romantic advances of three noblewomen, spots Thom Merrilin, and, upon being summoned by Hurin with a pretext of a falling servant, follows Hurin away from the gathering.
• Ingtar / Ingtar Shinowa (Lord Ingtar) — Ingtar accompanies Rand into the manor, lending his title and prestige to the group. He drifts into the crowd of nobles, receiving wary looks from the Cairhienin lords who are suspicious of a Shienaran in such a setting.
• Loial (Friend Ogier) — Loial attends the gathering to fulfill his role as a sought-after Ogier noble. He informs Rand that a Waygate is nearby, explaining the history of the site as a former Ogier grove, and urges Rand to disperse among the crowd to avoid suspicion.
• Mat (your manservant, manservant) — Mat pretends to be Rand's servant to infiltrate the kitchens and locate the Shadar Logoth dagger. Later, he is claimed to have fallen and twisted his knee to provide Rand with an excuse to leave the gathering early.
• Hurin (bodyservant, manservant) — Hurin infiltrates the kitchens to sniff out Darkfriends, then reports to Rand that his 'servant' (Mat) has been injured. He leads Rand out of the party, acting as the face of the escape while maintaining their cover.
• Verin (Aes Sedai, Verin Sedai) — Verin enters the manor as Aes Sedai of the Brown Ajah, drawing significant attention and murmurs from the nobles. She insists on splitting the group to avoid suspicion and watches as Rand navigates the social dangers of the party.
• Barthanes / Barthanes Damodred (Lord Barthanes) — Barthanes Damodred, a tall, wealthy Cairhienin lord, greets Rand and his party with deep bows and calculated politeness. He scrutinizes Rand's background and hints at his political power, engaging in a tense exchange about King Galldrian and the Age of Legends before leaving Rand to his own devices.
• Ashin — Ashin, a man in dark green livery with the Tree and Crown of House Damodred, greets the guests with deep bows and leads them into the great room filled with nobles.
• Alaine / Alaine Chuliandred — Alaine Chuliandred, a slim woman with elaborate hair and a dark blue dress, intercepts Rand and attempts to lure him away by claiming her husband is away. She glares competitively at another noblewoman who tries to claim Rand's attention.
• Belevaere / Belevaere Osiellin — Belevaere Osiellin, a noblewoman of similar age and status to Alaine, sidles into Rand's path to compete for his attention. She compliments Rand's height and handsomeness and challenges Alaine's subtlety, insisting that a brave man must have the courage to be seen with her.
• Breane Taborwin / Breane — An older, pretty noblewoman who joins Alaine and Belevaere in cornering Rand. She laughs at their attempts to trap him and invites Rand to her manor, claiming she has no husband to worry about. Thom Merrilin recognizes the group of three women, noting that one of them would provide a difficult education for any man.
• Thom / Thom Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom Merrilin appears on stage, seemingly ignoring Rand initially. He later speaks privately with Rand in a crowded room, drinking wine and warning Rand about the dangers of Cairhien politics and the White Tower's involvement. He advises Rand to watch himself and then returns to his performance.