Contents
Chapter 38
Overview
Mat brings the Band toward Salidar, learns the village holds hundreds of Aes Sedai and a larger army, and prepares a defensive stance. He enters with a small party, where Aes Sedai swarm Aviendha and identify Mat as ta'veren. Inside, Mat confronts Egwene, only to discover she truly is the Amyrlin.
The reveal upends Mat’s assumptions, setting terms for any negotiation between the Band and Salidar’s Aes Sedai and sharpening tensions around Elayne and Aviendha.
Summary
Marching through a withering Altaran forest, Mat Cauthon leads the Band toward Salidar, uneasy at the unnatural heat and insects. Aviendha travels beside him, tense and wary, while Olver keeps his distance after a previous clash with her. Mat keeps the Band slow and quiet to delay meeting the Aes Sedai he expects in Salidar.
Vanin returns with news: Salidar holds hundreds of Aes Sedai and an army twice the Band’s size, and Warders have already captured two of Vanin’s men and released them. Realizing he is spotted and outnumbered, Mat orders the Band to clear ground and build barricades to display a defensive posture, leaving Talmanes in command with strict instructions not to engage unless attacked.
Mat advances with a small group—Aviendha, Vanin, and two bannermen—to make contact. In Salidar, they pass many Aes Sedai and Warders. A novice, Nicola, publicly reveals a Talent to see ta’veren by noting Mat’s “glow,” and Anaiya takes interest. When Aes Sedai realize Aviendha can channel, they crowd her with eager questions about training, effectively surrounding and isolating her.
Nynaeve appears and brings Mat into the Little Tower to meet the “Amyrlin.” Inside, Mat finds Elayne and Egwene; mistaking Egwene’s Amyrlin stole for a ruse, he snatches it and feels his foxhead medallion go cold as someone channels at him. Seizing the moment, he berates them, ordering Elayne to prepare for Caemlyn, urging Egwene to make a gateway for the Band, and threatening to “handle” negotiations with the supposed figurehead Amyrlin.
His assumptions collapse when a novice addresses Egwene as “Mother,” and Egwene calmly replaces the stole, confirming her authority. Nynaeve, satisfied, tells Mat to close his mouth, leaving him to reckon with the political reality that Egwene commands Salidar’s Aes Sedai.
Who Appears
- Mat CauthonCommander of the Band; prepares defensive works near Salidar; confronts Egwene, protected by his foxhead medallion; misjudges her status.
- AviendhaAiel woman traveling with Mat; assessed by Aes Sedai as a channeler; uneasy about Olver’s loss; briefly rides with Mat.
- Egwene al’VereRevealed as the Amyrlin in Salidar; withstands Mat’s tirade and quietly reasserts authority.
- Nynaeve al’MearaIntervenes, brings Mat to Egwene; watches his misstep and pointedly reminds him who holds power.
- Elayne TrakandPresent with Egwene; startled by Mat’s demands and his immunity to saidar.
- VaninMat’s scout; reports Salidar’s location, Warders, numerous Aes Sedai, and a larger opposing army; guides Mat in.
- Talmanes DelovindeLeft in command; orders defensive preparations and to avoid engagement unless attacked.
- DaeridVeteran commander; supports Mat’s defensive plan and watches over Olver.
- Nalesean AldiayaBand officer; grumbles at waiting but follows Mat’s defensive orders.
- OlverOrphan boy with the Band; wary of Aviendha after earlier clash; kept back from danger.
- AnaiyaAes Sedai who recognizes Nicola’s Talent and questions Aviendha about channeling.
- NicolaNovice who discovers a Talent to see ta’veren by perceiving Mat’s glow.
- TabithaNovice who addresses Egwene as Mother, exposing Egwene’s true status to Mat.