Contents
Chapter 52
Overview
Mat forces a dangerously ill Thom to a Wise Woman, Mother Guenna, who treats him despite his protests. Mother Guenna reveals three young women matching Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne were seized three hours earlier by women who can channel, sent by High Lord Samon, and taken into the Stone.
Realizing the captors are not allies and that the women were mistreated, Mat leaves Thom in Mother Guenna’s care and resolves to infiltrate the impregnable Stone of Tear to rescue them.
Summary
Mat struggles with Thom’s worsening cough and, despite Thom’s resistance, hauls him through the muddy Maule to a Wise Woman, Mother Guenna. She forcefully administers a foul tea and prescribes a strong salve, revealing capable authority that cowes Thom into compliance.
While tending Thom, Mother Guenna mentions three young women she recently sheltered, whose accents and descriptions match Egwene, Nynaeve, and Elayne. Pressed by Mat, she reluctantly explains that, under threat from Tear’s laws and the High Lords, she was warned not to speak. On Mat’s oath of secrecy, she reveals the women were taken about three hours earlier to the Stone by women who can channel, sent by the High Lord Samon.
Mat first assumes Aes Sedai would mean safety, but Mother Guenna describes bruises and rough treatment, making clear the captors are no friends. Furious, Mat punches a wall, then regains control as Mother Guenna confirms his hand is unbroken and notes how much he cares.
Mat pays her, leaves Thom in her care despite his protests—recognizing Thom is too sick to help—and commits to rescuing the women from the supposedly impregnable Stone of Tear. He departs with a reckless confidence, feeling the figurative dice begin to roll.
Who Appears
- Mat CauthonDetermined and impulsive; gets Thom medical help, learns the women were taken to the Stone, vows to rescue them.
- Mother GuennaPractical Wise Woman who treats Thom and reveals the women were seized by channelers for High Lord Samon.
- Thom MerrilinIll gleeman; protests treatment but is dosed by Mother Guenna and left in her care while Mat acts.
- High Lord SamonPower in Tear; reportedly sent women who can channel to seize the three young women and take them to the Stone.
- Egwene al’VereOff-page; identified by description as one of three women recently captured and taken to the Stone.
- Nynaeve al’MearaOff-page; among the three seized; Mother Guenna recalls her by distinct braid and fierce resistance.
- Elayne TrakandOff-page; recognized by red-gold hair and blue eyes; taken to the Stone with the others.