Chapter 44 - A Backhanded Request

Summary

Morgase Trakand surveys the dying landscape of Andor and resolves to abandon her disguise as a servant, returning to Caemlyn to support her daughter Elayne. She reconciles with Tallanvor, accepts his marriage proposal, and exchanges vows before Perrin Aybara officiates. Meanwhile, Perrin inspects trees killed overnight, oversees forge operations, and observes the wedding before encountering Matrim Cauthon near the camp's edge. Mat warns Perrin of approaching assassins, arranges a meeting in Caemlyn, and departs through a gateway.

Characters

• Morgase / Morgase Trakand (Maighdin, Queen) — Steps out to survey the dying landscape of Andor and decides to abandon her disguise as a servant. She reconciles with Tallanvor, accepts his marriage proposal, and formally exchanges vows before Perrin Aybara's camp departs for Caemlyn.
• Tallanvor / Martyn Tallanvor (Guardsman-Lieutenant) — Returns from Whitebridge to warn Morgase about political rumors threatening Elayne's authority. He formally offers his sword and heart, proposes marriage, and receives her acceptance before the couple departs together.
• Basel Gill — Supervises the packing of carts alongside Lini, Lamgwin, and Breane as Morgase prepares to leave the camp for Caemlyn.
• Lini — Oversees the loading of supplies and insists that Morgase and Tallanvor marry immediately before traveling to Caemlyn to prevent political complications.
• Lamgwin — Helps load Morgase's belongings onto the cart after being released from Faile's service.
• Breane — Assists in packing supplies for Morgase's journey to Caemlyn following her release from Faile's household.
• Faile — Briefly acknowledges Morgase before discussing camp logistics and Berelain's interest in Galad with Perrin. She later observes the wedding and departs to requisition ale for the celebration.
• Perrin / Perrin Aybara — Inspects a stand of trees killed overnight, oversees forge operations, officiates Morgase and Tallanvor's wedding, and later encounters Matrim Cauthon, who warns him of approaching assassins.
• Kevlyn Torr — Reports to Perrin that nearly a hundred hardwood trees have died and dried out overnight, prompting orders to harvest the wood for fuel.
• Grady — Stands at a gateway with channelers to send noncombatants to Caemlyn while monitoring the camp's perimeter.
• Annoura — Channels alongside Grady and Masuri to maintain an open gateway for departing refugees.
• Masuri — Assists in channeling to keep the gateway open for the final group of noncombatants leaving the camp.
• Berelain — Watches Morgase and Tallanvor's wedding with visible emotion, then departs alongside Galad Damodred after exchanging pleasantries.
• Galad / Galad Damodred — Arrives at the wedding party, greets Morgase and Tallanvor cordially, and observes the ceremony before leaving with Berelain.
• Matrim Cauthon / Mat — Appears in a red coat catching a badger near the camp's edge. He warns Perrin of dangerous pursuers, arranges to meet at an inn in Caemlyn, and departs through a gateway.