Chapter 31 - Into the Void

Summary

Matrim Cauthon dines at The Rumor Wheel in Caemlyn, winning a dice game he does not understand through sheer luck before deliberately walking the streets to lure out an assassin. Protected by his Band, he confronts the gholam directly, using two foxhead medallions on chains to burn the creature and driving it into a void through a Kinswoman's gateway after a fierce struggle in a burning building. Following the encounter, Mat jokes about claiming combat pay for stopping the monster, confirms the darkness below appears endless with Sumeko and Julanya, and plans to collect his companions before returning to camp.

Characters

• Mat / Matrim Cauthon — Uses innate luck to win a dice game he does not understand, then deliberately walks through Caemlyn's streets to lure out an assassin. Fights the gholam directly, utilizing two foxhead medallions on chains to burn it before driving it into a void through a Kinswoman's gateway. Jokes about claiming combat pay for stopping the creature and plans to collect his companions afterward.
• Gholam — Hunts Mat through the city, easily evading initial strikes and knocking over lanterns to create darkness. Is burned by foxhead medallions, tripped by a thrown ashandarei, and ultimately kicked off a platform into an endless void after a fierce struggle in a burning building.
• Talmanes — Leads the Band's protective detail for Mat, scaring off several groups of thugs. Saves a lantern from being extinguished, allowing it to start a fire that helps trap the gholam, and retrieves Mat's ashandarei from the flames.
• Sumeko — Maintains a gateway platform inside a palace room to create an escape route over a void. Helps trap the gholam by opening the gateway, then questions Mat about how the creature sensed it despite their precautions.
• Julanya — Stands as another Kinswoman present at the gateway, noted for her plump figure and pretty white-streaked hair. Watches with displeasure as Mat leaves the scene and confirms that the darkness below appears to go on forever.
• Guybon — Serves as Captain of the Band and Birgitte's second-in-command. Questions Mat about whether stopping the gholam qualifies as a Crown contract, prompting Talmanes to jokingly claim combat pay for ridding the city of a murderer.
• Rittle — Calls out Mat's dice roll in Koronko's Spit before becoming unsettled by the weapon and medallion. Whispers to his companions and leaves quickly with them after noticing the foxhead amulet.
• Saddler — Confronts Mat about winning a dice game without knowing the rules, carrying a wicked knife and sporting a sharp chin. Flees alongside his companions when noticing the foxhead medallion.
• Snelle — Stands up to show his shortsword after Mat claims victory in the dice game. Flees alongside Rittle and Saddler upon seeing the medallion and weapon.
• Kati — Serves as a raven-haired waitress at The Dusty Wheel, flirting with Mat throughout the evening. Offers him more wine but is waved away when he focuses on his mission.
• Hatch — Runs The Dusty Wheel alongside his wife, seen wiping a glass behind the bar. Receives a golden crown from Mat and a tip of the hat before the patron departs.