45 After the Storm

At dawn after the battle, a battered Mat endures a raucous celebration. Aiel and wetlanders mingle, singing Jak o’ the Shadows as Couladin’s severed head grins from a pole. Melindhra praises Mat’s honor, crediting him with killing Couladin. Talmanes and Nalesean arrive, each demanding Mat secure pride of place in an offered triumph for Rand and proclaiming him their general, pledging personal loyalty. Mat, desperate to avoid entanglement and Moiraine’s scrutiny, drinks and searches vainly for a way to slip away.

On the hill, Moiraine departs after a sharp exchange with Lan, who remains watching. Mat, feeling trapped by fate and acclaim, sinks back as soldiers serenade him, while he fears the responsibilities closing in.

Elsewhere, Rand awakens in his tent, Healed but weak. Aviendha sharply rebukes him for driving himself to collapse, insisting a chief must live to meet his obligations. Asmodean confirms Moiraine’s Healing and cautions about the dangers of channeling while exhausted. Rand learns four Aiel clans (Miagoma, Shiande, Daryne, Codarra) are camped nearby, their chiefs awaiting Wise Ones’ decisions, and that Egwene has been dragged to represent the Aes Sedai in talks.

Aviendha considers the Shaido broken, but Rand worries as most escaped north over the Gaelin, destroying the bridges and taking prisoners. Then Aviendha reveals Mat killed Couladin, startling Rand and confirming the Pattern’s pull on Mat.

Asmodean reports night visits: Meilan and six other Tairen High Lords proclaimed fealty, Meilan “gifting” Cairhien and promising a grand triumph, while bristling under Wise Ones and Maidens barring entry. Later, hooded Cairhienin nobles—Dobraine and Colavaere among them—begged to see Rand and may intend to offer him the Sun Throne, before being expelled by the Maidens. Rand judges Meilan ambitious for a subject kingship and the Cairhienin steeped in Daes Dae’mar.

Resolving to honor Cairhien’s duty before hunting Sammael, Rand plans to enter the city on his terms, quietly gauging the factions. He keeps his intended claimant to the Sun Throne to himself, orders his horse despite weakness, and moves to seize political control while the Wise Ones hold the four clans at bay.