Chapter 34 - The Wheel Weaves

Summary

Thom Merrilin returns to his room to find Dena murdered and kills two assassins sent by Lord Barthanes, only to learn from Zera that Barthanes himself has been killed and that the assassins worked for King Galldrian. Meanwhile, Padan Fain reaches Falme and presents the Horn of Valere and the Shadar Logoth dagger to High Lord Turak, who dismisses the Horn's immediate use due to Seanchan political dynamics involving the Empress and Listeners. Fain successfully positions himself as a useful advisor to access the Empress before being dismissed, vowing to kill Rand al’Thor. In Cairhien, smoke rises from the granaries as Zera urges Thom to flee the city.

Characters

• Thom / Merrilin (gleeman) — Thom returns to his inn room to find Dena dead and kills two assassins hiding in the wardrobes. After Zera reveals Barthanes is dead and the killers served Galldrian, Thom prepares to leave Cairhien, acknowledging the danger he faces.
• Zera — Zera discovers the assassins and the body of Dena, warning Thom of the danger he is in. She informs him that Lord Barthanes has been killed and reveals the political connections of the killers, urging him to flee Cairhien immediately to survive.
• Fain / Padan — Fain arrives in Falme and presents the Horn of Valere and the Shadar Logoth dagger to High Lord Turak. He lies about his family's oath to Artur Hawkwing to gain favor, securing a promise that he may be presented to the Empress before being dismissed.
• Turak (High Lord) — Turak receives Fain and examines the Horn and dagger, refusing to sound the Horn himself due to the risk of offending the Empress Tuon. He keeps the artifacts as trophies and tells Fain he may be sent to the Empress later, dismissing him with a coin.
• Huan (man with the braid) — Huan, a man with an unshaven half of his pale hair in a long braid, restrains Fain from touching Turak's property and later enforces Turak's command that Fain leave his presence. He warns Fain about the dangers of the Seekers for Truth.