Morgase POV#

Morgase is in her reading room, but cannot concentrate. Tallanvor enters bringing news of rebellion in the Two Rivers. The banner of Manetheren has been raised. This news brings her out of her daze and she goes to speak with Gaebril. He is in a courtyard talking with several Lords and Ladies. The few that she recognizes are ones who opposed her, Lord Jarid and Lady Elenia Sarand, Lady Arymilla Marne, Lord Nasin Caeren, Lady Naean Arawn Lord Lir Baryn and Lady Karind Anshar. She confronts Gaebril but he dismisses her. Before she can think clearly she is back in her reading room.

Confused, she wanders around and finds herself in the retired servants' quarters and goes to speak with Lini. Morgase admires Lini's pictures of herself, Elayne and her mother, Maighdin Trakand. Lini tells Morgase that Gaebril has seven other women including Alteima. They all have rooms in the palace except for a big eyed young thing whom he sneaks in swathed in a cloak.[1] Lini reminds Morgase that she has no friends left since she exiled all those who backed her in the Succession, Lord Pelivar Coelan, Lord Abelle, Lady Arathelle, Lady Ellorien Traemane, Lady Aemlyn and Lord Luan. Ellorien was Morgase's closest friend; Morgase named Elayne after her grandmother.

Morgase no longer trusts a White Tower that seems to be hiding Elayne. She sends Lini to find Tallanvor. While she is gone, Morgase thinks of all the bad choices she made in men, Taringail, Thom, Gareth Bryne and now Gaebril. She had to marry Taringail because he was the husband of Queen Mordrellen Mantear's[2] daughter, Tigraine. Lini returns with Tallanvor who says he is her only loyal supporter in the Royal Palace. All the others belong to Gaebril. He tells her to find Basel Gill at The Queen's Blessing. He will wait in the stable. Morgase disguises herself then she and Lini make their way to the inn. In the stable, Tallanvor is waiting with Basel Gill , Lamgwin and Breane. They ride out of Caemlyn and head for Kore Springs to find Gareth Bryne.

Padan Fain POV#

Late at night, Fain goes to the basement of the White Tower to the storeroom where very dangerous items are kept. Picking the lock, he enters and retrieves the ruby dagger. He now feels whole again.[3] He sets off a ward and an Accepted, Verine, comes to investigate. He slashes her with the ruby dagger and she dies horribly. Alviarin then enters and binds him with Air. He realizes she is Black Ajah. He tells her of his trip to Thakan'dar and Shayol Ghul, awing her. She has never been there. Unsure of his status relative to hers as a Darkfriend, she lets him go. Angry with himself for showing his true colors, he plans to meet his followers outside the city and be gone before dawn. He will not have time to get the Horn of Valere.[4]