Contents
Chapter 47
Overview
Mat leads Elayne, Nynaeve, Vandene, Adeleas, Aviendha, and Birgitte toward Ebou Dar, enduring Elayne’s officious oversight and secret tests of his foxhead medallion. The group’s tensions simmer as Birgitte’s Warder bond to Elayne rankles the elder sisters.
In Ebou Dar, the Aes Sedai turn for the Tarasin Palace while Mat chooses The Wandering Woman, where his ominous dice fall silent, signaling a pivotal turn.
Summary
Mat rides toward Ebou Dar with Elayne, Nynaeve, Vandene, Adeleas, Aviendha, Birgitte, and escorts from the Band. The camps split along an unspoken line, and Elayne, Nynaeve, and Birgitte display strain toward the elder sisters. Mat keeps his men organized despite scant provisions and listens to Nerim and Lopin’s laments over lost delicacies.
That evening Elayne demands Mat surrender a ter’angreal nightly for study; Mat refuses and she pointedly inspects his camp and men, publicly critiquing his logistics. Soon after, Mat’s medallion repeatedly chills as the women test channeling on him; he feigns ignorance while Adeleas takes notes and Nynaeve scowls.
On the road, Elayne continues imperious inspections at inns, uncovering issues among Mat’s men, which he grudgingly corrects. Aviendha rebukes Mat for disrespecting Elayne, and Nynaeve avoids him, flaring when he approaches. Over evening talks, Thom and Juilin describe Ebou Dar’s customs, and it emerges that Elayne has bonded Birgitte as her first Warder, further straining matters with Vandene and Adeleas.
The testing escalates: Adeleas later uses the Power to fling dung at Mat, proving the medallion only negates direct weaves, not hurled objects. Mat drinks hard, brooding over the medallion’s limits. The party finally reaches dazzling white Ebou Dar, its squares, bridges, and palaces gleaming beneath the heat.
Vandene plans to enter the Tarasin Palace and meet Merilille; Mat, disliking palace entanglements yet intent on guarding the women in the city, declares he will billet his men at an inn and escort them as needed. Ignoring Elayne’s prim orders about drink and example, he leads his men to The Wandering Woman. There, amid dice games and music, Mat feels the fateful dice in his head cease, marking a consequential shift.
Who Appears
- Mat CauthonLeads the escort to Ebou Dar; resists Elayne’s control; medallion repeatedly blocks channeling; learns its limits; chooses The Wandering Woman; dice stop.
- Elayne TrakandImperiously inspects men and logistics; demands Mat’s ter’angreal; bonded Birgitte as Warder; heads for the Tarasin Palace.
- Nynaeve al'MearaTense and evasive with Mat; participates in testing his medallion; avoids conversation and bristles at him.
- Adeleas NamelleElder Aes Sedai; documents tests on Mat’s medallion; uses the Power to throw dung at him, proving its limitation.
- Vandene NamelleElder Aes Sedai; coordinates entry to the Tarasin Palace; tolerant of Elayne’s attempts to lead.
- AviendhaWalks leading her horse; defends Elayne’s honor; joins channeling tests; eyes Mat warily.
- BirgitteRevealed as Elayne’s Warder; stays close to Elayne; avoids Mat’s challenges to shoot.
- Thom MerrilinAdvises and observes tensions; confirms Birgitte’s status; chooses to stay near Elayne.
- Juilin SandarDiscusses Ebou Dar customs; notes frictions with elder sisters; remains near the women.
- NaleseanDrinks and swaps tales; surprised by a woman Warder; accompanies Mat to the inn.
- VaninScouts ahead; unexpectedly deferential to Elayne; follows Mat to The Wandering Woman.
- HarnanBand file leader; manages camp setup, sentries, and troopers’ routines.
- JaemWarder to Vandene; scouts; bonds quickly with Birgitte as a fellow guardian.
- OlverYoung ward of the Band; wary of Aviendha; wide-eyed at the city; Mat minds his exposure to drink.
- Setalle AnanInnkeeper of The Wandering Woman; welcomes Mat and Nalesean to lodge in Ebou Dar.
- NerimMat’s meticulous manservant; laments lost delicacies; tends to Mat while hungover.
- LopinNalesean’s servant; competes with Nerim over provisions; helps put Mat to bed.