Chapter 47 - A Teaching Chamber

Summary

Faile and Perrin lead a diplomatic procession into Caemlyn to meet Queen Elayne, who initially threatens execution but ultimately agrees to grant the Two Rivers autonomy under Perrin as High Lord and Steward of the Dragon Reborn. The agreement exempts the region from taxes while retaining control over the funds, and Elayne proposes a marriage alliance between their children to cement the pact. Meanwhile, Empress Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag observes a damane open a Traveling gateway in her Teaching Chamber and immediately orders the mass training of marath'damane to prepare for a decisive assault on the White Tower. Later, Perrin reunites with Matrim Cauthon and Thorn Merrilin at an inn, where Thorn advises them to vary their sleeping locations nightly to evade assassins drawn to their prominence. Matrim reveals his intention to rescue Moiraine from the Tower of Ghenjei with Thom Merrilin and Olver, requesting a gateway from Perrin for the mission.

Characters

Faile (Lady Zarine ni Bashere t'Aybara) — Negotiates with Elayne for Two Rivers autonomy, successfully securing Perrin's title as High Lord and Steward over the region while exempting them from taxes. She proposes a marriage alliance between her children and Elayne's to cement the new political pact.
Daylight — Serves as Faile's mount during the procession into Caemlyn, carrying her through the city gates toward the palace.
Gaul — Leads the Maidens to scout ahead of the gateway and later forms a protective circle around Perrin and Faile inside the palace.
Perrin / Perrin Aybara (Master Aybara, High Lord, Steward) — Leads a diplomatic procession to Caemlyn and negotiates with Elayne to secure official recognition for the Two Rivers. He agrees to the political terms, accepts the title of Steward over his homeland, and later plans to assist Matrim Cauthon's rescue mission via gateway.
Galad — Declines an invitation to join the procession to Caemlyn, citing a prior meal with Elayne as sufficient for catching up.
Alliandre / Queen Alliandre Maritha Kigarin (Queen) — Accompanies the delegation to Caemlyn and formally swears fealty to Perrin, securing Ghealdan's alliance with the Two Rivers. She later agrees to Elayne's political maneuvering regarding the new pact.
Arganda — Rides ahead with Wolf Guards to announce the delegation's arrival and returns to report that they will be received by the Queen.
Grady (Dedicated) — Follows the procession last, notes his inability to open a gateway toward the Black Tower earlier, and later interrupts Perrin's meeting with Matrim to remind him of midnight.
Morgase / Morgase Trakand (Queen, Your Majesty) — Attends the private meeting with Elayne, Perrin, and Faile, advising her daughter to accept the political arrangement rather than fight the Pattern. She confirms she promised to speak for Perrin and Faile regarding their demands.
Selucia (Truthspeaker, Voice) — Receives instructions from Fortuona via finger signs and voices them to the court, later confirming the necessity of secrecy regarding the Traveling gateway development.
Fortuona / Fortuona Athaem Devi Paendrag (Empress, Greatest One) — Observes a damane open a Traveling gateway and immediately orders the gathering and training of all marath'damane to prepare for a decisive assault on the White Tower. She maintains strict secrecy over this strategic shift while planning to overwhelm the Tower with thousands of soldiers through hidden portals.
Beslan (King) — Enters the Teaching Chamber, reacts with awe to the Traveling gateway, and voices concerns about the tactical implications for Seanchan warfare.
Lunal Galgan / Galgan (Captain-General) — Observes the gateway alongside Beslan, asks tactical questions about its range and limitations, and confirms his loyalty through subtle political maneuvering regarding assassins.
Melitene (der'suldam) — Leads a weeping damane named Suffa into the chamber and skillfully manages her behavior while reporting to Fortuona on the damane's stubbornness.
Suffa (damane, Amyrlin Seat) — Attempts to bargain for her freedom by offering twenty powerful Aes Sedai in exchange for her release, but collapses in pain when struck through the a'dam before successfully opening a Traveling gateway.
Furyk Karede / Karede — Stands among the Deathwatch Guard during Fortuona's announcement, his expression hardening as he anticipates the need for rotating sleeping quarters to ensure the Empress's safety.
Thorn / Thorn Merrilin (gleeman) — Dines with Perrin and Matrim at an inn, warns them about their growing visibility making them targets for assassins, and advises varying their sleeping locations nightly to evade attacks.
Matrim / Matrim Cauthon / Master Crimson — Reunites with Perrin and Thorn at an inn, reveals his plan to rescue Moiraine from the Tower of Ghenjei with Thom Merrilin and Olver, and requests a gateway from Perrin for the mission.
Denezel — Serves as the innkeeper who interrupts the private dining chamber meeting to announce Grady's arrival.
Verin / Verin Mathwin (Aes Sedai) — Mentioned by Matrim as having sent him an oath-bound letter that remains unopened, with her whereabouts and safety currently unknown.
Moiraine / Moiraine Damodred — Revealed to be alive and captured inside the Tower of Ghenjei, having sent a letter to Thom Merrilin claiming she foresaw her capture and needs rescue.
Olver — Mentioned by Matrim as being slated to join the rescue mission to the Tower of Ghenjei, with Matrim noting he will be furious about not being taken along.