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| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_lft.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TFoH,Ch44'}] 
| %%(display:block; text-align:center;) [{Image src='Chapter Icons/cairhien_bw.gif' align='center' link='Wiki.jsp?page=Cairhien Chapter Icon'}] ''[TFoH|The Fires of Heaven]: After the Storm'' %% 
| [{Image src='Chapter Icons/btar_rgt.gif' link='Wiki.jsp?page=TFoH,Ch46' align='right'}]
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! __Mat__ POV

The morning after the battle, [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] sits alone and contemplates recent events. He has numerous minor injuries from the battle, but [Daerid|Daerid Ondin]'s ointment stopped the bleeding. He tries to avoid thinking about the fact that he killed [Couladin]. [Couladin]'s head now hangs on a post. The [Aiel] are celebrating and getting drunk with the [Tairens|Tear (Country)] and [Cairhienin|Cairhien (Country)]. [Daerid|Daerid Ondin] and [Estean|Estean Andiama] stagger by with a drunk [Aielman|Aiel]. [Kin Tovere], [Jol] and [Cail] poke through the debris of the tower. Among other things, [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] is worried about another attack from [Sammael]. He does not know if the [foxhead medallion|Foxhead Medallion] protects against %%ot [saidin|Said]%%.[1] [Melindhra] comes up with a pitcher of brandy. She is proud that he sought honor and glory for himself. 

[Nalesean|Nalesean Aldiaya] and [Talmanes|Talmanes Delovinde] come up. High Lord [Meilan|Meilan Mendiana] has offered [Rand|Rand alThor] a procession into [Cairhien|Cairhien (City)]. Lord [Dobraine|Dobraine Taborwin], Lord [Maringil], and Lady [Colavaere|Colavaere Saighan] also paid a call on [Rand|Rand alThor]. They want [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] at the head of the procession with [Rand|Rand alThor]. Despite his protestations they declare him their general and vow their loyalty to him. [Talmanes|Talmanes Delovinde] and [Nalesean|Nalesean Aldiaya] do not like each other but in this they agree. They say he also needs a banner.[2] Up on the hill [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] sees [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred] and [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran]. [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred] says something and [Lan|al'Lan Mandragoran] seems to make a violent protest.[3] [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] fervently hopes for some way out of this mess.
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More [Mat POV]

! __Rand__ POV

[Rand|Rand alThor] wakes in his tent. It is midmorning. [Aviendha] tells him that [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred] [Healed|Weaves] him. [Asmodean] is there as well. [Aviendha] still wears the silver necklace and [Rand|Rand alThor] wonders again where she got it.[4] [Asmodean] comments that [Moiraine|Moiraine Damodred] has recovered and has already been by twice this morning. He indirectly says that he provided a small amount of [Healing|Weaves] as well, but that is not one of his Talents. [Aviendha] reports that the [Miagoma], [Codarra], [Daryne] and [Shiande] are all camped nearby. They will eventually come to [Rand|Rand alThor]. The [Wise Ones|Aiel] are conducting the negotiations and [Egwene|Egwene alVere] is with them. [Sorilea] and [Bair] dragged her from her bed. Thousands of [Shaido] were taken prisoner, but most escaped across the [Gaelin River]. [Rand|Rand alThor] is astounded when she tells him that [Mat|Matrim Cauthon] killed [Couladin]. [Rand|Rand alThor] wonders why [Sammael] did not return to finish him off. He remembers that [Sammael] was [Tel Janin Aellinsar|Sammael] and that [Asmodean] was [Joar Addam Nessosin|Asmodean]. He thinks he has at least made a start against [Sammael] by sending [Weiramon|Weiramon Saniago] back to [Tear|Tear (Country)].[5] 

[Rand|Rand alThor] thinks about getting up, but he does not see his clothes anywhere.[6] [Rand|Rand alThor] tells [Asmodean] to bring [Jeade'en|JeadeEn (Rand)], but [Aviendha] does not let him go. [Asmodean] tells [Rand|Rand alThor] that [Meilan|Meilan Mendiana] and the other six High Lords came at dawn to see him. The [Wise Ones|Aiel] led by [Sorilea], [Amys], [Bair] and [Melaine] and the [Maidens|Maidens of the Spear] led by [Sulin] would not let them. The High Lords including [Torean|Torean Andiama], [Simaan], [Aracome] and [Gueyam][7] eventually left in a fury with [Meilan|Meilan Mendiana] shouting that he was giving [Cairhien|Cairhien (City)] to the [Dragon Reborn|Rand alThor]. [Asmodean] says they are all dangerous men. Before them, a dozen [Cairhienin|Cairhien (Country)] lords and ladies came. They were also sent away, but they brought the same message of fealty to the [Dragon Reborn|Rand alThor]. Two were Lord [Dobraine|Dobraine Taborwin] and Lady [Colavaere|Colavaere Saighan]. They hinted at offering [Rand|Rand alThor] the [Sun Throne|Sun Palace]. [Rand|Rand alThor] says he already has plans for who will sit on the [Sun Throne|Sun Palace].[8] [Rand|Rand alThor] intends to pay a surprise call on [Cairhien|Cairhien (City)] and sends [Asmodean] to get his horse.
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More [Rand POV]
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! Notes (Possible Spoilers)

[#1] It does. ([LoC,Ch44])
\\[#2] This is the beginning of the [Band of the Red Hand].
\\[#3] No clue what this might be about.
\\[#4] It was a gift from [Egwene|Egwene alVere]. ([TFoH,Ch7])
\\[#5] [Weiramon|Weiramon Saniago] and his army will play a crucial if unexpected role in [Rand|Rand alThor]'s plan for [Sammael]. ([ACoS,Ch41])
\\[#6] Because [Aviendha] is sitting on them. ([TFoH,Ch46])
\\[#7] The other two are [Hearne] and [Maraconn]. ([TFoH,Ch46])
\\[#8] [Elayne|Elayne Trakand]
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