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Mat nodded

"And," Tho up hints for the incursion"

The Tower of Ghenjei Mat shrugged "We’re s or Caemlyn"

"Yes, I know But Olver madethe boy distracted, I’d expect to open our saddlebags and find hi and ga is no place for a boy," Mat muttered "I just wish I could trust the men back at camp not to corrupt him worse than a tavern would"

"Well, he stayed back quietly enough once Noal got out the board" Olver was convinced that if he played Snakes and Foxes enough, he’d pick out so the Aelfinn and Eelfinn "The lad still thinks he’s co with us into the tower," Thorn said more quietly "He knows he can’t be one of the three, but he plans to wait outside for us Maybe burst in to save us if we don’t coh I don’t want to be there when he discovers the truth"

"I don’t intend to be there myself," Mat said Ahead, the trees broke wide into a s the hills to the sides A town of several hundred buildings was nestled between the slopes, adown the ray stone, each with a prominent chimney, most of which curled with smoke The roofs were sloped to deal ere probably very snointers, though the only white still visible noas on distant peaks Workers were already busy on several of the roofs replacing winter-darazed the hillsides, watched over by shepherd boys

There were a few hours of light re, and other h the streets of the village, no urgency in their gait Overall, the little town had a relaxing air of mixed industry and laziness

Mat pulled up beside Talht," Tal to think every town in the world was either falling apart, packed with refugees or under the thumb of invaders At least this one doesn’t seem likely to vanish on us "

"Light send it so," Mat said, shivering, thinking of the town in Al-tara that had vanished "Anyway, let’s hope they don’t ers" He eyed the soldiers; all five were Redaro with the Aes Sedai I suspect that they’ll want to stay at a different inn fro"

The soldiers saluted, and Joline sniffed as she passed on her horse, pointedly not looking at Mat She and the others headed down the incline in a little cluster, three of Mat’s soldiers following

"That looks like an inn there," Thorn said, pointing toward a larger building on the eastern side of the village "You’ll find me there" He waved, then kicked his leeive hilanced at Taled The two of them made their way down the slope with two soldiers as an escort Because of the bend in the road, they were approaching froe, the ancient roadway continued It looked strange to have such a large road leading past a village like this, even if that road was old and broken Master Roidelle claiht up into Andor It was too uneven to be used as a er passed otten Mat blessed their luck in finding it, though The es into Murandy had been croith Seanchan

According to Roidelle’s oat’s cheese and ion The villagers should be used to outsiders Indeed, several boys ca froleeman’s cloak He’d h, would be ht as he and Talood humor; this time, he would not let the Aes Sedai ruin it

By the tiathered a sled three colored balls in his right hand while talking of his travels in the south The villagers here wore vests and green cloaks of a deep, velvety cloth They looked warh upon closer inspection, Mat noticed that many of them--cloaks, vests and trousers--had been torn, and carefully athered around the Aes Sedai Good; Mat had half-expected the villagers to be frightened One of those standing at the side of Thorn’s group eyed Mat and Tally He was a sturdy felloith thick arms and linen sleeves that were rolled to the elbows despite the chill spring air His arms curled with dark hair that matched his beard and the locks on his head

"You have the look of a lord about you," the an before Mat cut hi an eye on Talmanes

"I’ his arms "You’re welcome to come and trade Be aware that we don’t have much to spare"

"Surely you at least have some cheese," Talmanes said "That’s what you produce, isn’t it?"

"All that hasn’t molded or spoiled is needed for our custos, these days" He hesitated "But if you have cloth or clothing you’ll trade, weup to feed you for the day"

Feed us for a day? Mat thought All eleven of us? He’d need to bring a wagonload back at least, not to mention the ale he’d promised his men

"You still need to hear about the curfew Trade, warm yourselves by the hearths for a tihtfall"

Mat glanced up at the cloud-covered sky "But that’s barely three hours away!"

"Those are our rules," Barlden said curtly

"It’s ridiculous," Joline said, turning away froed her horse a little closer to Mat and Tal her "Master Barlden, we cannot agree to this foolish prohibition I understand your hesitation during these dangerous times, but surely you can see that your rules should not apply here"

The

Joline pursed her lips, rearranging her hands on her reins so that her great serpent ring was prominently visible "Does the symbol of the White Tower mean so little these days?"

"We respect the White Tower" Barlden looked at Mat He ise Meeting the gaze of an Aes Sedai tended to make one’s resolve weaken "But our rules are strict, my Lady I’m sorry"