Contents
Chapter 32
Overview
Rand, Ingtar, Verin, Loial, and their "servants" infiltrate Lord Barthanes’s lavish party to find the Horn. Rand endures Daes Dae'mar probes from Barthanes and Cairhienin nobles, discovers Thom performing, and learns the manor sits by an Ogier Waygate. Hurin interrupts with a ruse, summoning Rand to Mat as their hunt advances.
Summary
Rand arrives at Lord Barthanes Damodred’s manor with Verin, Ingtar, and Loial, escorted by Shienarans while Mat and Hurin pose as servants to slip into servant corridors. Inside, Cairhienin nobles watch closely; Rand is announced as a lord, drawing attention to his heron-mark blade and companions.
Loial quietly reveals a nearby Waygate, implying the manor occupies the former royal grove. Despite Rand’s fears that Barthanes is a Darkfriend, Verin’s strategy requires them to mingle separately to avoid suspicion while Mat and Hurin search for the Horn.
Barthanes engages Rand in layered conversation, insinuating ties to King Galldrian, the giant statue excavation, and Rand’s Borderlander training, even hinting at Aiel features. Rand deflects without commitment, realizing how little he understands Daes Dae'mar.
In another room, Rand spots Thom Merrilin performing as a gleeman. Before he can reach Thom, three ambitious noblewomen corner him with overt invitations, forcing Rand to flee to Thom for cover. Thom warns Rand that entanglement with Aes Sedai and Cairhienin politics is perilous and refuses involvement.
Hurin appears with a servant’s pretext that “Rand’s manservant” (Mat) has injured his knee, signaling a development. Rand plays the stern lord to maintain cover and follows Hurin, as watching nobles note his departure. The hunt within Barthanes’s manor moves to its next stage.
Who Appears
- Rand al'ThorPoses as a young Andoran lord; spars verbally with Barthanes; learns a Waygate is nearby; meets Thom; follows Hurin’s summons.
- Lord Barthanes DamodredPowerful Cairhienin lord hosting the party; probes Rand with Daes Dae'mar; suspected Darkfriend.
- Verin MathwinBrown Ajah Aes Sedai; orchestrates the infiltration and mingling strategy; converses with noblewomen.
- HurinPoses as Ingtar’s servant; searches for Darkfriends; delivers a ruse about Mat’s injury to summon Rand.
- Mat CauthonDisguised as Rand’s servant to sense the dagger; offstage catalyst for Hurin’s summons.
- LoialOgier guest; senses an Ogier Waygate near the manor; helps maintain the group’s cover.
- Ingtar ShinowaShienaran lord lending status to the party infiltration; circulates among nobles.
- Thom MerrilinPerforming as a gleeman; warns Rand about Aes Sedai and Cairhienin politics; refuses to be drawn in.
- Alaine ChuliandredCairhienin noblewoman; aggressively courts Rand for political and personal advantage.
- Belevaere OsiellinCairhienin noblewoman; competes with others to secure Rand’s attention and leverage.
- Breane TaborwinSenior noblewoman; joins the rivalry over Rand; noted by Thom as formidable.
- AshinBarthanes’s majordomo; formally announces and receives the guests.