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| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TFoH,Ch41'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/dice_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Dice Chapter Icon'}] ''[TFoH|The Fires of Heaven]: Before the Arrow'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TFoH,Ch43' align='right'}]
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! __Mat__ POV

[Mat|Matrim Cauthon] is in his tent debating whether or not he should leave. [Rand|Rand alThor]'s %%ot [ta'veren|Wheel of Time]%% pull seems to be weakening. He knows his [foxhead medallion|Foxhead Medallion] will keep him safe from [Aes Sedai]. He goes to [Rand|Rand alThor]'s tent to tell him that he is leaving. On the way, he sees [Kadere|Hadnan Kadere]'s wagons in a circle. He stays in his wagon most of the time. At [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred]'s request there is a heavy [Aiel] guard around them. There is no one in [Rand|Rand alThor]'s tent but [Jasin Natael|Asmodean]. [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] does not like him and wonders how he is always neat and sweat free. 

While he waits for [Rand|Rand alThor], [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] studies the maps on the floor. [Couladin] has 160,000 spears around [Cairhien|Cairhien (City)]. All the [Aiel] clans have now crossed the [Dragonwall|Spine of the World]. The [Shiande], [Codarra], [Daryne] and [Miagoma] are nearby and their intent is not clear. They have about as many spears between them as [Couladin]. The seven clans with [Rand|Rand alThor] have about as many spears as the other two forces together. [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] enters and asks [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] what he thinks of the situation. He gets [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] to talk and [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] quickly outlines a detailed battle plan. He mentions sites of ancient battles, [Jenje|Other History], [Cuaindaigh Fords|Other History], [Tora Shan|Other History] and [Sulmein Gap|Other History]. [Natael|Asmodean] stares at [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] in amazement and [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] realizes how his tongue has been running. [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] turns and sees [Rand|Rand alThor] at the door. [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] says he is leaving and [Rand|Rand alThor] says okay. [Perrin|Perrin Aybara] went when he had to go as well. [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] thinks he will go south, but he is not sure what to do about [Melindhra]. [Rand|Rand alThor] suggests that he not talk to [Egwene|Egwene alVere]. It would be the same as telling [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred] and the [Wise Ones|Aiel]. Outside the tent, the clan chiefs and three [Tairens|Tear (Country)] pointedly ignore him.[1] The dice seem to be spinning in his head[2] and [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] whistles as he plans his departure.
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More [Mat POV]

! __Rand__ POV
[Rand|Rand alThor] sees [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] enter his tent and sends [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] to ask a few subtle questions.[3] A bit later he goes to his tent and hears the end of [Mat|Matrim Cauthon]'s exposition. After [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] leaves, [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] tells [Rand|Rand alThor] that [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] almost exactly outlined the plan that the clan chiefs made. [Rand|Rand alThor] now knows for sure that [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] gained military knowledge from the [twisted red doorway|Twisted Red Doorway]. He hopes that [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] enjoys his freedom and that [Perrin|Perrin Aybara] and [Faile|Zarine Bashere] are happy, but he knows that he will eventually draw them back. [Rand|Rand alThor] has [Lews Therin|Lews Therin Telamon]'s memory of planning great battles. [Rand|Rand alThor] has [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] bring in the clan chiefs, [Rhuarc], [Bael], [Bruan], [Dhearic], [Erim], [Han] and [Jheran], and [Weiramon|Weiramon Saniago] and his two escorts.[1] They discuss the final details of the battle plan.
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More [Rand POV]
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! Notes (Possible Spoilers)

[#1] One of the two young nobles with [Weiramon|Weiramon Saniago] is [Melanril|Melanril Asegora]. ([TFoH,Ch43]) The other is never identified.
\\[#2] This is the first clear case of dice rattling in [Mat|Matrim Cauthon]'s head indicating crucial decisions and events ahead.
\\[#3] This happens off camera.
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