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He gave the grin he used on his mother when he especially wanted her to believe him。 〃I know you won't。 And I do feel better。 I thought I might see some of the city this afternoon。 If you have no objections； of course。 Maybe visit an inn tonight。 There's nothing like a night of mon…room talk to pick one's spirits up。〃
He thought her lips twitched on the edge of a bigger smile。 〃No one will try to stop you； Mat。 But do not try to leave the city。 It will only upset the guards； and bring you nothing but a trip back here under escort。〃
〃I would not do that； Aes Sedai。 The Amyrlin Seat said I'd starve to death in a few days if I left。〃
She nodded as if she did not believe a word he said。 〃Of course。〃 As she turned from him； her eyes fell on the quarterstaff he had brought from the practice yard； propped in the corner of the room。 〃You do not need to protect yourself from us； Mat。 You are as safe here as you could be anywhere。 Almost certainly safer。〃
〃Oh； I know that； Aes Sedai。 I do。〃 After she left he frowned at the door； wondering if he had managed to convince her of anything。
It was more evening than afternoon when he left the room for what he hoped was the final time。 The sky was purpling； and the setting sun painted clouds to the west in shades of red。 Once he had his cloak around him； and the big leather script he had found on his one earlier foray dangling from his shoulder and bulging with the bread and cheese and fruit he had squirreled away； one look in the mirror told him there was no hiding what he intended。 He tied the rest of his clothes up in a roll with the blanket from the bed and slung that across his shoulders； too。 The quarterstaff did for a walking staff。 He left nothing behind。 His coat pockets held all his smaller belongings； and his belt pouch held the most important。 The Amyrlin Seat's paper。 Elayne's letter。 And his dice cups。
He saw Aes Sedai as he made his way out of the Tower； and some of them noticed him； though most merely flickered an eyebrow； and none spoke to him。 Anaiya was one。 She gave him an amused smile and a rueful shake of her head。 He returned a shrug and the guiltiest grin he could manage； and she went silently on； still shaking her head。 The guards at the Tower gates simply looked at him。
It was not until he was across the big square and into the streets of the city that relief finally surged up in him。 And triumph。 If you can't hide what you are going to do； do it so everybody thinks you are a fool。 Then they stand around waiting to see you fall on your face。 Those Aes Sedai will be waiting for the guards to bring me back。 When I do not return by morning； then they'll start a search。 Not too frantic at first； because they'll think I have gone to ground somewhere in the city。 By the time they realize I haven't； this rabbit will be a long way downriver from the hounds。
With as light a heart as he could remember having in years； or so it seemed； he began to hum 〃We're Over the Border Again；〃 heading toward the harbor where vessels would be sailing down to Tear and all the villages along the Erinin between。 He would not be going so far as that； of course。 Aringill； where he would take to land again for the rest of the trip to Caemlyn； was only halfway downriver。
I'll deliver your bloody letter。 The nerve of her； thinking I'd say I would； then not。 I will deliver the bloody thing if it kills me。
Twilight was beginning to cover Tar Valon； but there was still enough light to grace the fantastical buildings； and the oddly shaped towers connected by high bridges spanning open air over hundred…pace drops。 People yet filled the streets； in so many different kinds of clothing that he thought every nation must be represented。 Along the major avenues； pairs of lamplighters used their ladders to light lanterns atop tall poles。 But in the part of Tar Valon he sought； the only light was what spilled from windows。
Ogier had built the great buildings and towers of Tar Valon； but other； newer parts had grown under the hands of men。 Newer meaning two thousand years in some cases。 Down near Southharbor； men's hands had tried to match； if not duplicate； the fanciful Ogier work。 Inns where ships' crews caroused bore enough stonework for palaces。 Statues in niches and cupolas on rooftops； ornately worked cornices and intricately carved friezes； all decorated chandlers' shops and merchant houses。 Bridges arched across the streets here； too； but the streets were cobblestone； not great paving blocks； and many of the bridges were wood instead of stone； sometimes as low as the second stories of the buildings they joined； and never higher than four。
The dark streets hummed with as much life as any in Tar Valon。 Traders off their vessels and those who bought what the vessels carried； people who traveled the River Erinin and people who worked it； all filled the taverns and the mon rooms of the inns； in pany with those who sought the money such folk carried； by fair means or murky。 Raucous music filled the streets from bittern and flute； harp and hammered dulcimer。 The first inn Mat entered had three dice games in progress； men crouched in circles near the mon…room walls and shouting the wins and losses。
He only meant to gamble an hour or so before finding a ship； just long enough to add a few coins to his purse； but he won。 He had always won more than he lost； as far as he could remember； and there had been times with Hurin； and in Shienar； when six of eight tosses in a row won for him。 Tonight； every toss won。 Every toss。
From the looks some of the men gave him； he was glad he had left his own dice in his pouch。 Those looks made him decide to move on。 With surprise he realized that he had nearly thirty silver marks in his purse now； but he had not won so much from any one man that they would not all be glad to see him go。
Except for one dark sailor with tight curls … one of the Sea Folk； someone had said； though Mat wondered what one of the Atha'an Miere was doing so far from the sea … who followed him down the darkened street； arguing for a chance to make good his losses。 He wanted to reach the docks … thirty silver marks was more than enough … but the sailor argued on； and he had only used half his hour； so he gave in； and with the man entered the next tavern they passed。
He won again； and it was as if a fever gripped him。 He won every throw。 From tavern to inn to tavern he went； never staying long enough to anger anyone with the amount of his winnings。 And he still won every toss。 He exchanged silver for gold with a money changer。 He played at crowns； and fives； and maiden's ruin。 He played games with five dice； and with four； and three； and even only two。 He played games he did not know before he squatted in the circle； or took a place at the table。 And he won。 Somewhere during the night； the dark sailor … Raab； he had said his name was … staggered away； exhausted but with a full purse； he had decided to put his wagers on Mat。 Mat visited another money changer … or perhaps two； the fever seemed to cloud his brain as badly as his memories of the past were clouded … and made his way to a