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| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TGH,Ch25'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/harp_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Gleeman Chapter Icon'}] ''[TGH|The Great Hunt]: Discord'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TGH,Ch27' align='right'}]
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! __Rand__ POV

[Rand|Rand alThor] returns to the [Defender of the Dragonwall] and tells [Hurin] and [Loial] about [Thom|Thom Merrilin]. [Rand|Rand alThor] gets the harp and flute and leaves with [Loial]. [Hurin] stays behind to guard the [Horn|Horn of Valere]. [Loial] is reluctant to be seen since there might be other [Ogier] in the city. He is probably in big trouble with Elder [Haman]. They head east through the [Jangai Gates|Cairhien (City)] and arrive at [The Bunch of Grapes]. The innkeeper, [Zera], directs them to [Thom|Thom Merrilin]'s room. His girlfriend/apprentice, [Dena], is practicing juggling. She intends to be the first female gleeman. They plan to go to [Tear|Tear (City)], then the [Sea Folk] islands. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] returns. He complains that the theater manager, [Seaghan], wants to hire actors to portray [Rogosh Eagle-eye|Rogosh Eagle-Eye], [Blaes] and [Gaidal Cain]. When he sees [Rand|Rand alThor], he sends [Dena] out to pick up her knives from the cutler, [Ivon (Knife Maker)|Ivon (Knife Maker)]. [Rand|Rand alThor] gives [Thom|Thom Merrilin] his harp[1] and flute. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] gives [Rand|Rand alThor] the plain flute he has been using. After [Thom|Thom Merrilin] left [Whitebridge], he passed through [Caemlyn] and talked to [Basel Gill]  who told him that [Rand|Rand alThor] left with an [Ogier]. [Rand|Rand alThor] tells [Thom|Thom Merrilin] about the [Horn|Horn of Valere] and asks him to help them bring it back to [Shienar]. He also asks [Loial] to leave, then asks [Thom|Thom Merrilin] about the ''[Karaethon Cycle|Karaethon Prophecies]''. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] quotes two passages:

%%quote
"Twice and twice shall he be marked,\\
twice to live and twice to die.\\
Once the heron, to set his path.\\
Twice the heron, to name him true.\\
Once the Dragon, for remembrance lost.\\
Twice the Dragon, for the price he must pay."
%%
and
%%quote
"Twice dawns the day when his blood is shed.\\
Once for mourning, once for birth.\\
Red on black, the Dragon's blood stains the rock of [Shayol Ghul].\\
In the [Pit of Doom|Shayol Ghul] shall his blood free men from the Shadow."
%%

[Thom|Thom Merrilin] admits he thought one of the boys could [channel|True Source] and helped them because of his nephew, [Owyn|owyn], who could [channel|True Source]. He lasted three years before the [Red Ajah] found him and gentled him, then he soon died. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] still refuses to join [Rand|Rand alThor] and [Rand|Rand alThor] leaves.
\\ \\
More [Rand POV]

! __Thom Merrilin__ POV

While [Thom|Thom Merrilin] is musing, [Zera|zera] enters and warns him against getting involved in the Game of Houses. They have known each other for years. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] was an expert at the Game twenty years ago in [Caemlyn]. [Thom|Thom Merrilin] performs tonight for Lady [Arilyn|Arilyn Dhulaine].
\\ \\
More [Thom POV]
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! Notes (Possible Spoilers)

[#1] In early printings, [Thom|Thom Merrilin] complains that [Rand|Rand alThor] did not keep the harp tuned. Upon hearing from music lovers that this is not the correct way to store such an instrument, he changed this passage to read that [Thom|Thom Merrilin] is grateful that [Rand|Rand alThor] did not try to keep it tuned.
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