Contents
Chapter 34
Overview
Thom discovers Dena murdered, kills two assassins, and learns Cairhien’s Game targets Rand; news arrives that Barthanes is grotesquely slain as riots ignite. Meanwhile, Padan Fain reaches Falme and delivers the Horn of Valere and Mat’s dagger to High Lord Turak, who refuses to blow the Horn and intends to present it to the Empress.
These turns escalate Cairhien’s chaos and place the Horn under Seanchan control, sharpening threats for Rand’s pursuit.
Summary
At dawn in Cairhien’s Foregate, Thom Merrilin returns from Barthanes’s party brooding over nobles’ crude questions about Rand. In his room he finds Dena murdered, her throat cut. Two hidden attackers emerge; Thom kills them, interrogating the scarred survivor, who admits nobles hunt information on Rand and tries to bribe Thom.
Thom learns multiple Houses seek Rand, and the killers claim Barthanes’s interest. Zera bursts in, warning he must flee, then reveals one corpse serves House Riatin—Galldrian’s agent—implicating the king. Word spreads that Barthanes is found torn apart with his head spiked, and outside, granaries burn as riots begin. Grief-stricken yet cold, Thom pays Zera to handle Dena’s body and departs with grim resolve.
On Toman Head, Padan Fain scouts Falme under Seanchan occupation, noting armed locals, strange scaled mounts, and three-eyed beasts guarding a command house. He presents the golden, silverworked chest to the Seanchan. High Lord Turak opens it, revealing the Horn of Valere and Mat’s ruby-hilted dagger.
Turak refuses to sound the Horn, explaining political perils, his place in succession, and the reach of the Empress, Listeners, and Seekers. He plans to gift the Horn to the Empress and keeps Fain to amuse and inform him. Fain warns of pursuing Darkfriends, Trollocs, and the supposed villain Rand al’Thor; Turak, bored, orders watches set. Fain departs exultant, plotting Rand’s death.
Who Appears
- Thom MerrilinGleeman who finds Dena murdered, kills two assassins, learns nobles hunt Rand, and departs seeking vengeance.
- Padan FainDarkfriend who brings the Horn and Mat’s dagger to Falme, bargains with Turak, and schemes against Rand.
- ZeraInnkeeper who discovers the scene, urges Thom to flee, and agrees to handle Dena’s remains.
- DenaThom’s apprentice and lover, found murdered; her death drives Thom toward vengeance.
- High Lord TurakSeanchan lord who opens the chest, keeps the Horn and dagger, and refuses to sound the Horn.
- HuanTurak’s high servant with a pale braid; enforces protocol and strikes Fain.
- Fat assassin (House Riatin agent)Killed by Thom; identified as Galldrian’s man, tying the hit to Cairhien’s politics.
- Scarred assassinWounded, interrogated by Thom, admits nobles seek information about Rand; then killed.
- Lord BarthanesCairhienin lord found mutilated after the party; his death fuels turmoil.
- King GalldrianImplicated via his agent’s corpse; potential target of Thom’s vengeance as riots begin.