Off to Barthanes’ manor where the elite meet to rub elbows, enjoy a fun game of Daes Dae’mar, powder their noses, and fondle penises. They have roles to play: Rand is a High Lord, Mat is his servant. Ingtar is a High Lord, Hurin is his servant. Verin is there as the resident “don’t fuck with me” Aes Sedai. I forget why Loial is there; perhaps to be the resident large stuffed animal. Mat and Hurin are to snoop around to see if they can catch word about Darkfriends and/or Horn and Dagger business. Rand and Ingtar are to have friendly conversations with the room full of rich white people, who are boggling at Rand’s presence. Particular attention is paid to Rand’s heron sword, the importance of which is still a fat mystery to me because either a) it hasn’t been revealed yet, or b) I hella haven’t been good at reading comprehension! The latter is way more likely, I assure you all.

Barthanes ends up cornering Rand into a conversation, which mainly drifts toward King Galldrian and the big statue that’s getting excavated outside of town. Barthanes sizes the kid up, trying to grill him for information about who he is and how he came to be. He pegs Rand as an Aiel, but Rand denies it. Barthanes’ interest is PIQUED. Meanwhile, Loial senses a Waygate near the premises.

Rand moseys to another room where he finds Thom Merrilin performing and three women who throw themselves at him. Rand, not Thom. Thom is a geezer, and Rand is a handsome 7’6″ drink of water. When Rand has a chance to speak to Thom, Thom insists that he’s not involved in any of the Daes Dae’mar or Aes Sedai business. Not now, not ever. Goddamnit!

Before Rand has a chance to check into what Mat is up to, Thom warns Rand that the White Tower is the originator of Daes Dae’mar, and he had best watch his back.

Because if Rand doesn’t watch his back…

…then who cares?