Contents
Chapter 19
Overview
Mat awakens in Tar Valon healed of Shadar Logoth’s taint, disoriented by fragmentary memories and spontaneous Old Tongue battle cries. He eats ravenously, weighs his distrust of Aes Sedai, and resolves to find Egwene and Nynaeve before leaving the Tower. Remembering he blew the Horn of Valere, he fears being used; a knock opens his door.
Summary
Mat Cauthon wakes in a lavish room, weak but clear-headed, unable to separate dreams from memories. A vivid vision of commanding cavalry under the Red Eagle and shouting Old Tongue commands surges through him, leaving him shaken and baffled by words he should not know.
Assessing his surroundings, Mat concludes he is in Tar Valon and that the Healing is done, despite his unease about Aes Sedai. Famished, he devours an enormous meal, even as he resolves to think carefully and protect himself from Aes Sedai motives.
Mat inventories what he remembers of the Ajahs and his friends. He worries over Rand’s ability to channel and Perrin’s oddness, decides he must look out for himself, and briefly fantasizes about the ruby from the Shadar Logoth dagger before dismissing it. He plans to find Egwene and Nynaeve, see a bit of the city, gamble to pad his purse, and then leave the White Tower quickly.
When the thought strikes that he blew the Horn of Valere, Mat feels trapped by what others might demand of him. He vows to deny any involvement if asked and hopes the Aes Sedai do not see a use for him. As he steels himself, a soft knock comes and the door opens.
Who Appears
- Mat CauthonAwakens Healed in Tar Valon; speaks Old Tongue from battle memories, eats ravenously, distrusts Aes Sedai, plans to leave, fears Horn entanglement.
- Moiraine DamodredRecalled as the Aes Sedai who warned about the dagger’s taint; emblem of Mat’s suspicion of Aes Sedai.
- Verin MathwinRemembered for escorting Mat and noting his failing health; her knowledge worries Mat regarding the Horn.
- Egwene al'VereBrought Mat to Tar Valon; Mat plans to find her before leaving the Tower.
- Nynaeve al'MearaHelped bring Mat to Tar Valon; a key person Mat wants to see before departing.
- Rand al'ThorMat worries about his channeling and sanity; a distant friend Mat feels he cannot help.
- LoialOgier companion remembered by Mat, grounding his confused memories.