Contents
Chapter 22
Overview
Marching south along the Erinin, Mat’s Band discovers a massacred Tinker caravan and a dying message, "Tell the Dragon Reborn." That night, Aiel assassins reach Mat’s tent via a gateway, wounding many before being killed.
Mat fortifies the Band, plans to seek Aes Sedai Healing, and takes Olver into his service.
Summary
Mat leads the Band of the Red Hand south from Maerone along the Erinin, juggling stones and musing about Thom, Nynaeve, and Elayne. With Talmanes, Daerid, and Nalesean, he weighs rumors about Aes Sedai, Logain, and violent Dragonsworn while keeping distance from river traffic and refugees.
Scout Chel Vanin summons Mat to a slaughtered Tinker caravan. The scene shows men, women, and children murdered, with a burned wagon bearing a blood-written message, "TELL THE DRAGON REBORN." Mat orders the message destroyed to prevent rumors and assigns burial parties, choosing to camp nearby despite remaining daylight.
As night falls, the camp stays subdued. From outside his tent, Mat spots veiled Aiel slipping in. Talmanes’s approach forces Mat to shout the alarm, drawing the First Banner of Horse to him. A brief, brutal fight follows; twelve Aiel die, but the Band suffers greater losses, and Mat takes several wounds while Talmanes is seriously injured.
Inspecting the site, Mat concludes the assassins arrived through a gateway, noting neatly severed tent-ropes and a flattened-trimmed bush. Fearing a Forsaken or Darkfriend plot specifically targeting him, he orders nightly ditches and palisades around camp and decides to approach Aes Sedai across the river for Healing for the worst wounded.
Nerim arrives to stitch Mat’s wounds, and Olver—now working for Master Burdin—checks on him. Mat, concerned yet practical, hires Olver as his messenger and promises him a horse, insisting Olver call him "Mat" rather than "Lord Mat."
Who Appears
- Matrim (Mat) CauthonLeader of the Band; discovers massacred Tinkers; survives Aiel assassination attempt; orders fortifications; hires Olver as messenger.
- Talmanes DelovindeMat’s lieutenant; warns Mat at night; wounded in the Aiel attack; stoically endures treatment.
- Daerid OndinVeteran commander; helps Talmanes; urges seeking Aes Sedai Healing; doubts palisade plan’s reception.
- Nalesean AldiayaTairen noble and officer; frets over Aes Sedai and Aiel; coordinates signals; reacts grimly to the attack.
- Chel VaninMaster scout; finds the slaughtered Tinker caravan and the urgent message; guides Mat to the scene.
- OlverOrphan boy in the Band’s camp; visits Mat after the attack; becomes Mat’s messenger, thrilled to earn a horse.
- NerimTalmanes’s servant; stitches Mat’s wounds with rough competence; manages practical details.
- Aiel raidersVeiled attackers arriving via gateway to kill Mat; all slain but inflict heavy casualties.