A Crown of Swords: Chapter 29

The Festival of Birds

Atarah al'Norahn

Characters: Mat, Olver, Tylin, Nalesean, Birgitte, Beslan, Reanne

Setting: Ebou Dar

Point of view: Mat

When Mat awakens, it is to find that the dice are rolling in his head again. He checks on Olver, and promises to take him out and buy him a mask for the Festival of Birds. When they go out into the sitting room, it is to find Tylin waiting for them. Tylin arranges for Riselle to take Olver to the festival, and then corners Mat. They sleep together.

After Tylin leaves, Mat goes out and meets up with Nalesean and Birgitte. Beslan and some of his friends join them. Mat is nervous about being around Tylin's son; he is afraid that Beslan will be angry with him for sleeping with his mother, if he ever finds out.

On the way to the Kin house, they are attacked by "beggars". After they get away, they continue on to the Kin house. Beslan's friends soon get bored and leave, but Beslan stays with Mat. While they wait, Beslan tells Mat that he thinks Mat will be good for his mother. Mat thinks that both Tylin and Beslan are mad.

A woman leaves the Kin house and Mat randomly follows her, telling Nalesean to tell Elayne and Nynaeve that "if I'm not back by tomorrow, tell them they'll have to find it for themselves".

The point of view changes to Reanne, who is inside the Kin house. She is watching Solain, who is being followed by Mat. Reanne thinks of all that has happened lately. She has been having some strong feelings that finally urged her to give an order six nights early; she does not say what it is.

Reanne joins the rest of the Elders, and says that, "we should consider moving everyone who does not wear the belt to the farm for a little while". It is agreed.

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