Knife of Dreams: Chapter 16
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Point of View: Elayne
Setting: Royal Palace, Caemlyn
Characters: Elayne, Birgitte, Mistress Harfor, Halwin Norry, Deni Colford, Careane, Sareitha, Mellar, Evard Cordwyn, Aldred Gomaisen, Hafeen Bakuvun, Afrim Hansard, Samwil Hark
Outline
Elayne meets with the mercenaries and afterwards she arranges an accomplished cutpurse to follow Mellar.
Summary
Mercenaries Evard Cordwyn, Aldred Gomaisen and Hafeen Bakuvun request an audience with Elayne. Elayne and Birgitte go to meet with them in the Blue Reception Room. Elayne doesn't trust Mellar who is there too. And she is keeping him because she wants to learn something more about who sent him. Bakuvun says that he knew Mellar years ago. The mercenaries want the Aes Sedai to leave but they only receive a warning about not trying to stand against the power of the White Tower. The mercenaries want more money because they are losing men which angers Elayne. She holds them to their original terms. The Aes Sedai tell the mercenaries that the White Tower is supporting Elayne for the Lion throne and they have to be careful what choice they make. Elayne has a hard time believing that one of Sareitha, Careane and Merilille could be Black Ajah. After the mercenaries leave, Elayne asks the Aes Sedai and Guardswomen to leave also. The Guardswomen don't move until they are told by Birgitte. Elayne weaves a ward against eavesdropping. Mistress Harfor has news from Jon Skellit that Arymilla and the others plan to ride in to Caemlyn soon. Elayne is disturbed. She thinks of Arymilla as a fool but she doesn't have to underestimate her since she has already accomplished much.
Master Norry has found an accomplished cutpurse, Samwil Hark, to try to follow Mellar. The previous five that tried died in the attempt. Afrim Hansard brings Hark in the room. Hark claims that he is innocent and the money that was found in his home was from an inheritance although this is easily revealed as a lie. Elayne offers him a chance to avoid hanging if he follows Mellar. Next she places a simple weave of spirit on him, a finder. That way she will be able find him anywhere he is. She tells him this to prevent him fleeing town. She knows that Mellar faked the kidnap attempt that brought him to her attention and she is trying to find who is ordering him. Deni Colford enters the room and says that Lady Dyelin has arrived, Elayne will meet her in the Map Room.
