The Great Hunt/Chapter 31

==Summary==
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Verin heals Rand and Hurin, and Mat and Perrin poke fun at Rand for being a "lord" again. Then Rand has to tell them he lost the dagger and the Horn. Mat says Perrin is a sniffer like Hurin. The local Reader realizes Verin is Aes Sedai, to the astonishment of the crowd. Rand says they should go somewhere else for conversation and Verin decides on The Great Tree inn. Hurin confirms that he can follow the trail of the people who took the chest. Rand tells him to rest awhile before doing so, since the Darkfriends probably cannot open the chest. He gets looks from everyone else which causes him to apologize; with the return of Ingtar he is no longer in command. Ingtar says that Rand is a fine leader.
They arrive at The Great Tree where the innkeeper, Tiedra, clearly knows Verin is Aes Sedai although she does not say so. Rand has a bath in his room, transferring things from his dirty coat to the clean one. He finds Selene's letters and after considering, decides to burn them. If he could marry anyone it would be Egwene, but she wants to be Aes Sedai and she is doomed to go mad anyway. He goes down to the private dining room where the others are waiting.
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When Rand enters the room, Perrin has a sudden memory of the wolves. He thinks Rand is the Shadowkiller the wolves talked about. Hurin has left to track the Darkfriends and will return so they can follow the trail tomorrow. Ingtar asks Rand if he wishes to go after them tonight. Rand says he was not trying to take over, and that they can decide that in the morning. Perrin realizes Rand is changing, becoming more confident. Verin wants to know how they got to Cairhien ahead of them. Everyone turned to stare at Rand, all wanting the answer. Perrin thinks about how the wolves are amazed by him. Rand tells them about Portal Stones and how they got there, and Selene. Verin says the name of the Stones is not widely known. She would like to meet this Selene. Their food comes, and Perrin finds himself thinking the lamb is too well-done. He is not comfortable with this thought.
Hurin returns to the room, saying he found the Darkfriends at the Lord Barthanes's manor. Ingtar is shocked that Barthanes is a Darkfriend, but Verin is not. Hurin suggests sneaking in with two people, but Mat suggests telling the king that Barthanes is a Darkfriend. Verin agrees that the king would help them, but also says that the king would take the Horn and use it to promote his own greatness. They cannot let anyone else get it. Verin says that as an Aes Sedai she can get them into the manor. 
Hurin points out that Rand happens to have an invitation from Barthanes as well as the king. Verin is pleased that the Wheel has provided a solution for them. Rand says they will know he is an imposter if he tries to go to their parties. Verin points out that the Cairhienin will assume any mistakes he makes will be due to Daes Dae'mar, and all he needs to do is to carry on an arrogant manner. Rand finally agrees, and Ingtar agrees to have his men outside the manor in case Fain tries to leave with the chest.
Verin asks about Barthanes's note which mentions one of the king's projects; Rand realizes it must be the huge statue that they were digging up. Verin says that it is a male sa'angreal, and together with its female twin it could strong enough to break the world again. This shocks everyone but Verin says not to worry as no Aes Sedai would assist a male channeler in doing so, and very few are strong enough to use the female sa'angreal safely in any case. Verin looks at Rand as she is saying this and Rand is deep in thought. Perrin knows Rand has a lot to learn and hopes he won't be used by the Aes Sedai.
==Characters==
*Rand al'Thor
*Loial
*Hurin
*Ingtar
*Perrin
*Mat
*Verin
*Tiedra
*Cuale
===Referenced===
*Moiraine Damodred
*Uno
*Agelmar
*Siuan - as Amyrlin
*Selene
*Egwene
*Padan Fain
*Elaida
*Barthanes
*Galldrian
*Logain
==Groups==
===Referenced===
*Darkfriends
*Sea Folk
==Places==
*Cairhien
*The Great Tree
==Referenced==
*Lord Barthanes's Manor
*Foregate
*Fal Dara
*Emond's Field
*Aiel Waste
==Items==
*Ruby-hilted dagger
*Horn of Valere
*Portal Stone
*Choedan Kal