We all know it’s going to happen – Mat is going to try and rescue Moiraine from the Finns (probably in Towers of Midnight simply because of its title). A few people have argued on discussion boards that maybe Mat won’t, depending on what exactly is in Verin’s letter. That’s just plain wrong – while Verin’s letter could give Mat pause, he will try this rescue no matter what for a couple of reasons:
· He promised Thom. And as Nynaeve has repeatedly told other characters, once Mat makes a promise he keeps it no matter what the cost to himself.
· Moiraine has to be rescued because Min’s viewings always come true. As Min has had a viewing about Moiraine that has yet to be fulfilled, she will be back somehow. Period.
However it does raise an interesting point – Verin’s letter may force Mat to make a difficult decision, which is indicated by one of Egwene’s dreams:
“Mat, weighing two Aes Sedai on a huge set of balance scales, and on his decision depended...She could not say what; something vast; the world, perhaps.” –tPoD, Ch. 15
But in the end he will choose Moiraine, for Min’s viewing indicated Rand would fail without Moiraine – the world hanging in the balance for true.
Now for the actual expedition. By tGS, we know that Domon knows where the Tower of Ghenjei is and is going to take them there. We also know the three in the rescue party will be Mat, Thom, and Noal Charin. (Jain Farstrider off for one last adventure, seeking redemption for his lost love?)
Finally, we know how they can get in – in Ch. 10 of KoD we learn that Birgitte told Olver that to enter the tower, one must use a bronze knife to draw the opening symbols of the game of Snakes & Foxes. There must be a reason that Olver is mentioned playing Snakes & Foxes so much. While it could just be a device so that readers could become familiar with the game since it reflects dealings with the Finn, it is likely that Olver himself may provide a little insight before they set off, as he did by passing on the aforementioned gem he heard from Birgitte. Further, the setup for the quest gets even better when we know that 1) Birgitte knows things about the Tower of Ghenjei from her time in tel’aran’rhiod and from past lives, and 2) Mat is going to be in Caemlyn, where Birgitte is staying, for nearly a month per his agreement with Verin. This gives plenty of time for Mat to pump her for information about the tower and the Finns.
Now that the stage is set for the rescue, what will happen once they get inside the tower?
Coming soon:
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