Mat POV#

Mat rides Pips as he prepares his forces for the Seanchan army. Musenge leads the Deathwatch Guard. He addresses Mat as Highness. They are in a broad field with only one easy entrance, courtesy of Master Roidelle's maps. He hopes they did not get a whiff of Karede, Tuon and Selucia. Aludra prepares her weapons. Noal, Olver, Juilin, Amathera, Thom and Setalle stay with the pack animals. Harnan and the other Redarms have been teaching Olver to fight. Leilwin and Domon are with Aludra. Teslyn, Edesina, Joline, Fen, Blaeric, Seta and Bethamin are with the soldiers, though the two sul'dam are forbidden to fight. Mandevwin has command of the Band with Mat. Musenge asks Mat why he is not wearing armor and Mat quotes Madoc Comadrin, "a general who draws his sword has put aside his baton and become a common soldier."

Suddenly Vanin, two of the Deathwatch Guard, Hartha and another Ogier come out of the trees at a gallop. Shortly the Seanchan army comes after them at a gallop. Aludra sends up a nightflower to keep their attention forward. The crossbowmen attack them from the front. Talmanes and his cavalry attack them from behind. Fifty slingmen throw hand grenades crafted by Aludra. When the Aes Sedai feel in danger they throw fireballs as well. A lancer named Macoll carries the banner of the Red Hand. It bears the slogan Dovie'andi se tovya sagain. ("It's time to toss the dice" in the Old Tongue). The battle is soon over. Hartha goes to find their leader, the traitor who wanted to kill Tuon. Musenge is suitably impressed with Mat's strategy. Hartha soon returns with a head. Musenge recognizes the man but will not say more. They must take this to Tuon as fast as possible.[1] Mat asks Musenge to call him Mat instead of Highness. Musenge is shocked. That would lower his eyes forever because marrying Tuon made Mat Prince of the Ravens. Mat can only laugh.

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