Chapter 29 - Seanchan

Summary

Geofram Bornhald and Byar investigate a village on Almoth Plain, discovering thirty hanged bodies, including children, and learning from a prisoner that the victims were killed by Questioners masquerading as Taraboners; Bornhald rejects a message from Jaichim Carridin ordering him to turn back, resolving instead to march his legion to Toman Head to confront the invading Seanchan. Meanwhile, Bayle Domon’s ship Spray is intercepted by Captain Egeanin and her damane, who force him to sail to Falme; there, Domon is presented to High Lord Turak, who reveals his collection of cuendillar artifacts and refuses to let Domon leave, intending to converse with him as a fellow collector.

Characters

• Geofram Bornhald (my Lord Captain, Lord Captain) — Bornhald surveys a village where Questioners have hanged villagers, including children, and interrogates a prisoner to confirm the perpetrators' identity. He dismisses a message from Jaichim Carridin ordering him to retreat, and resolves to lead his legion toward Toman Head to investigate the true threat of the Seanchan.
• Byar (Child of the Light) — Byar accompanies Bornhald into the village, observing the hanging and defending the Children's actions with religious justification. He expresses discomfort when Bornhald reveals the involvement of children and the Questioners' hidden motives.
• Muadh (Child, grizzled man) — Muadh, scarred from previous Darkfriend captivity, relays a prisoner's description of attackers wearing Taraboner cloaks, including a large man with gray eyes and a young lad with a yellow beard. Bornhald recognizes these details as matching the description of two men under Questioner command. Muadh fetches a prisoner for Bornhald to interrogate and ensures the bodies are cut down.
• Jeral (Child, young man) — Jeral arrives on a Domani cloak to deliver a message from Jaichim Carridin, ordering Bornhald to turn back. He receives a curt dismissal to eat and wash before returning for further orders.
• Domon (Captain, trader) — Domon sails Spray away from a pursuing Seanchan ship, only to be boarded by Captain Egeanin and forced to deliver his vessel to Falme. There, he is brought before High Lord Turak, who identifies a cuendillar artifact Domon possessed and detains him for conversation.
• Yarin (helmsman) — Yarin assists Domon in navigating Spray to evade the Seanchan ship, shouting commands to the crew, and later the vessel is steered into the harbor at Falme under Domon's direction.
• Egeanin (Captain) — Egeanin, a Seanchan captain with blue eyes, boards Spray with her damane and armored soldiers, striking Domon when he mentions Aes Sedai. She forces him to sail to Falme and presents him to High Lord Turak as a gift for his collection.
• Caban (Seanchan soldier, dark-eyed man) — Caban remains on Spray as a guard, speaking to Domon with contempt for those outside Seanchan. He threatens Domon with his sword when asked about the damane, confirming that their management is the business of the Blood.
• Turak (High Lord, High Lord Turak) — Turak receives Domon and Egeanin, holding the cuendillar disk and revealing his extensive collection of the artifact. He refuses to allow Domon to leave, preferring to keep the trader for conversation.