Thom returns from the party at dawn, to find that Dena has been Stuffed into the Fridge, and he makes quick work of her killers. There’s a whole interrogation with one, but it’s pointless because Zera comes in and reveals that it was all lies and they were Galldrian’s men. And Barthanes was killed and butchered, so now Thom’s back in the game before things get back to him. Though I wish we didn’t have to go through the Disposable Woman route.
Fain was dropped off by the Way at Falme. Ooh, this should be good! After torturing a few locals to learn about the Seanchan (because why just ask?) he heads into town and presents Turak with the Horn. After bullshitting his heart out about why he’s doing it, Turak lets him stay for more fun conversation, just like Domon, and I can’t wait to see those two together. He also says Rand is a Darkfriend who’s coming with Trollocs, though I don’t know how he can make that seem real.
The Thom story was a real turn-off; couldn’t he have left town just because of Galldrian wanting to get his hands on him, rather than inventing Dena as a Disposable Woman? It’s extra painful because I really liked her one scene, and it seemed like she had a lot below the surface that could be explored. Luckily, the Fain story is a lot better, working as a quite natural bridge to what’s been an extremely minor storyline. Plus, it lets us actually see Fain as someone who’s clever, rather than just the Complete Monster he’s been before now.
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