Towers of Midnight/Chapter 17

==Summary==
:
Matrim Cauthon wakes up under a wagon. He chooses a random location with the dice each night to avoid another encounter with the Gholam. Mat goes searching for Aludra. Juilin Sandar finds Mat and asks if he and Amathera Aelfdene Casmir Lounault can leave with the Aes Sedai, on their way back to Tar Valon. Mat says he doesn't need his permission and Juilin decides it is time to move on. Bethamin Zeami and Seta sit with Joline Maza. They are also leaving with the Aes Sedai. Seta addresses Mat as "Highness." The two former Sul'dam cannot stay because their knowledge that sul'dam can be leashed as damane puts the whole Seanchan Empire at risk. Mat reminds them that Tuon is also sul'dam. Mat charges the two sul'dam to learn how to channel, so they can try and fix this issue without the Empire collapsing. Both woman take pride and gain confidence from Mat's words. Egeanin Tamarath and Bayle Domon also decide to leave Mat's company and travel to the White Tower. Mat gives all those who are departing horses to travel on. Finally he makes his way over to the Aes Sedai. He gives Joline Maza some sweetbuns as a parting gift and tells her that some of his men will travel with them. They will bring the horses back to him once they reach Tar Valon. Mat also asks Teslyn Baradon to give the Amyrlin Seat a message from him, that it is just about time for them to return that which belongs to him. Teslyn accepts and tells Mat that Setalle Anan is remaining behind. Mat waves goodbye to the group as they make their way back to Tar Valon. Chel Vanin is also one of the Redarms sent, with the intent of picking up information from the countryside and Tar Valon. As the group move off, Thom asks Mat on the sweetbuns gift. Mat reveals that they contain Sprinklewort and will dye her mouth blue for at least 2 weeks.
Mat finds Mistress Anan in the supply tents overseeing the midday meal. She scolds Mat for looking so unkempt. Mat finds himself missing Tuon, as she would often be in Mistress Anan's company. Mat asks Mistress Anan if she would look after Olver, as he is planning to leave with Thom soon. She agrees to watch Olver and informs Mat that she's already begun teaching Olver his letters. Mat tells her that he will find a room in an inn for her and Olver, while he deals with the gholam. Setalle asks if the Aes Sedai have gone and looks regretful when Mat confirms this. Mat apologizes to her for what happened in the past and Setalle replies that she needs to move on and forget that past chapter of her life.
:
Elayne Trakand strolls through the Sunrise Garden where she had first met Rand all those years ago. Her pregnancy is just starting to show. Plants throughout the garden are wilting and dying already, sure signs of Tarmon Gai'don. Birgitte Silverbow warns Elayne about being exposed and vulnerable in the gardens, but Elayne is over-confident that she is safe due to Elmindreda Farshaw's viewing. Birgitte argues that the babies will be safe, not the mother. Elayne could suffer a traumatic head injury or amputation, but Elayne just brushes it off. Elayne is met by Sumeko Karistovan and Alise Tenjile, both Kinswomen became more confident during recent events. Elayne offers the Kin who do not wish to go to the White Tower to stay in Andor for free under the condition that they would provide Gateways and Healing. They would not fight in any wars for the Crown, but they would create gateways to where the Crown wished to go and Heal those who are sick or wounded. Alise insists that the Kin would receive half the payment the Crown would get for offering these services to people like merchants who would be able to move their wares much more quickly. Elayne denies any payment on Healing, as it would be a free service offered to all those who need it, in order of severity. Alise agrees to the terms, but Sumeko chides Alise, as she can't speak for the whole of the Kin. Alise replies that she is only accepting it for herself and everyone else will have to make their own decision. For example, Sumeko plans to join the White Tower and join the Yellow Ajah once she is raised to a full Aes Sedai. Elayne suggests rewriting the Rule all over again, allowing the Kin to marry. This would make them seem like less of a threat to the White Tower as it would tie them down. Elayne promises to talk to the Amyrlin Seat about these changes. After the meeting, Elayne ruminates over the Seanchan's likely strike against Andor after the Last Battle. She needs to be prepared for this possibility and the threat they will learn Traveling. Unfortunately the Kin will not channel in battle, so she is still missing an edge against the Seanchan. Although, the Black Tower is within Caemlyn, she has not considered their involvement deeply yet.
==Characters==
*Mat Cauthon
*Juilin Sandar
*Teslyn Baradon
*Joline Maza
*Edesina Azzedin
*Moonglow
*Firewisp
*Thera
*Bethamin Zeami
*Seta Zarbey
*Thom Merrilin
*Leilwin Shipless
*Bayle Domon
*Chel Vanin
*Elayne Trakand
*Birgitte
*Sumeko Karistovan
*Alise Tenjile
===Referenced===
*Gholam
*Aludra
*Lopin
*Tuon Paendrag
*Rand al'Thor
*Egwene al'Vere
*Elaida a'Roihan
*Setalle Anan
*Tylin Mitsobar
*Noram Mat's cook
*Olver
*Morgase Trakand as mother
*Min Farshaw
*Vandene Namelle
*Sareitha Tomares
*Chesmal Emry
==Places==
*Caemlyn
===Referenced===
*Tar Valon
*Tear
*Ebou Dar
*Tarabon
*Two Rivers
*Andor
*Illian
==Items==
===Referenced===
*Horn of Valere