Contents
Chapter 44
Overview
In Salidar, Mat defies Aes Sedai pressure, narrowly avoids a weave from Halima, and confirms Siuan and Leane have been Healed. Egwene forces Mat to escort Elayne and Nynaeve to Ebou Dar, assembling escorts and two senior sisters.
After Mat publicly honors Egwene to bolster her standing, the party Travels out, while Egwene turns to rejoin Bryne and keep the Band near as contingency.
Summary
Arriving in crowded Salidar, Mat secures stabling for his men and pointedly hangs the Band’s banners to signal independence. Denied an audience with Egwene and finding his allies kept from him, he joins the night’s celebrations, where Halima pointedly flirts. His foxhead medallion chills, warning of channeling; Halima’s startled reaction suggests she or an accomplice tried to weave at him.
Mat encounters Siuan and Leane, now ring-wearing again, and realizes they have been Healed. Through the day, multiple sisters press him to become a Warder, including Myrelle and Delana; Mat refuses all. With rumors of Bryne drilling a real army and Aes Sedai plans in motion, he grows wary. On the third day, a novice summons him to Egwene, who, impassive as Amyrlin, gives him a stark choice: escort Elayne and Nynaeve to Ebou Dar or leave Salidar.
Resigned, Mat organizes an escort: Nalesean, Vanin, a dozen Redarms, servants Nerim and Lopin, Olver, plus Thom and Juilin; unexpectedly, Vandene and Adeleas with their old Warder join, as do Elayne, Nynaeve, Aviendha, and a golden-haired Hunter. At departure, Mat publicly kneels to Egwene and kisses her ring, deliberately shoring up her stature before the watching Hall and Sitters.
Elayne weaves a smaller Gateway to dusty hills short of Ebou Dar to avoid injuring bystanders. The party dismounts to pass through and rides south under Vandene and Adeleas’s lead. Watching them go, Egwene regrets using Mat but remains pragmatic: his Band must be kept close for her contingency plan. She then sets off with the Hall to catch Gareth Bryne, while Mat’s Band is left to shadow per his orders.
Who Appears
- Mat CauthonDefies Aes Sedai pressure, senses a weave on him, accepts escort duty to Ebou Dar, publicly bolsters Egwene.
- Egwene al’VereAs Amyrlin, compels Mat to escort Elayne and Nynaeve; leverages his Band as contingency; heads to rejoin Bryne.
- HalimaDelana’s alluring secretary; her proximity coincides with Mat’s medallion chilling, implying attempted channeling.
- Siuan SancheFormer Amyrlin, now Healed and ring-wearing again; brusquely rebuffs Mat during the celebration.
- LeaneAlso Healed; dances with and kisses Mat, confirming her restored status among Aes Sedai.
- MyrelleRepeatedly tries to recruit Mat as Warder; later discusses communications with the Band.
- DelanaPressures Mat to accept Warder bonding; her secretary Halima hovers near him.
- Elayne TrakandCo-leads the Ebou Dar mission; opens the Gateway, insists on safe placement away from farms.
- Nynaeve al’MearaMission co-lead to Ebou Dar; avoids Mat initially and resents the older sisters’ supervision.
- AviendhaAccompanies Elayne and Nynaeve; uneasy with riding, keeps peace with Elayne.
- Vandene NamelleSenior Aes Sedai joining the journey; not strong enough for long-range Gateways; sets the riding pace.
- Adeleas NamelleSenior Aes Sedai sister accompanying; travels with Vandene and their old Warder, leading south.
- Old Warder (unnamed)Accompanies Vandene and Adeleas; vigilant and hardened, rides close at their heels.
- Thom MerrilinGleeman restrained by Elayne’s orders; joins Mat’s escort to Ebou Dar.
- Juilin SandarThieftaker kept from Mat by Nynaeve; joins the escort with staff and packhorse.
- TalmanesLeft in command of the Band; to shadow Egwene’s force per Mat’s contingency orders.
- NaleseanTairen officer selected to ride with Mat’s escort toward Ebou Dar.
- VaninScout who gathers intelligence in Salidar; rides with Mat’s party.
- OlverBoy who insists on guarding Mat; accompanies the expedition on his gray, Wind.
- SheriamKeeper among the Salidar Aes Sedai; observes departure and moves with the Hall afterward.
- RomandaSitter who eyes the Band warily, urging distance from Mat’s soldiers.
- LelaineSitter aligning with Romanda on keeping clear of the Band’s proximity.
- Golden-haired HunterHunter with braided hair; watches over Elayne, travels with the departing group.