Chapter 8 - The Seven-Striped Lass

Summary

Matrim Cauthon sits in a Caemlyn tavern grappling with an oath-bound letter from Verin that threatens to compel his actions if opened. He navigates the city's tense streets, recognizes the gholam's presence through rumors of a drained corpse and his rattling dice, and secures Thom Merrilin's assistance before returning to the Band's camp outside the walls. Upon arrival, sergeant Gufrin reports the return of three Aes Sedai, prompting Teslyn Baradon to thank Mat for securing her freedom from Seanchan captivity and offer future aid at the White Tower. As Mat enters his tent to rest, he detects the unmistakable scent of fresh blood.

Characters

• Matrim Cauthon / Marrim Cau-thon / Mat (Master Crimson, Lord Mat) — Wrestles with an oath-bound letter that threatens to force his compliance if opened while navigating a tense Caemlyn. He recognizes the gholam's presence through rumors of a drained corpse and his rattling dice, secures Thom Merrilin's help, and returns to camp where Teslyn Baradon thanks him for freeing her from Seanchan captivity before he detects fresh blood in his tent.
• Melli Craeb / Melli — Teases Mat about the sealed letter and his marriage while managing her popular tavern, eventually allowing him to keep the correspondence after he promises to introduce her to an Aes Sedai.
• Thom Merrilin / Thorn / Thom — Performs a haunting flute set at an inn before instinctively throwing a knife that pins Mat's coat cuff during their urgent discussion of the gholam threat and Mat's binding oath.
• Gufrin (sergeant) — Informs Mat upon his return to camp that three Aes Sedai have arrived, prompting Mat's dread regarding further magical entanglements.
• Teslyn Baradon / Teslyn — Approaches Mat at his tent to formally thank him for securing her freedom from Seanchan captivity and offers future aid at the White Tower, leaving him unsettled before he detects the scent of blood inside his quarters.