Crossroads of Twilight

How it opens

Six nights after fleeing Ebou Dar in a storm, Mat sits by the river in a plain wool coat and counts the burned ships in the harbor, trying to judge how many Sea Folk got away. He hides two miles north of the city in Valan Luca's traveling show, with Egeanin posing as his lover and the kidnapped heir to the Seanchan Crystal Throne among the people he brought out. Seanchan soldiers come to Luca's wagon, but they only want to see his warrant for the horses. Then Luca rouses the whole show to leave the moment Thom gets back from the city.

Who you meet early

• Mat CauthonMat Cauthon is hiding from the Seanchan in a traveling show outside Ebou Dar, dressed as plain as a farmer. He brought three Aes Sedai and the kidnapped heir to the Crystal Throne out of the city.
• Egeanin TamarathEgeanin is a Seanchan ship captain of the Blood, wanted by the Seekers. She hides under a black wig and the name Leilwin and poses as Mat's lover.
• Bayle DomonBayle Domon is an Illianer whom Egeanin bought and made her so'jhin. He seems to love her, and he now hides his shaved head under a dark stocking cap.
• Juilin SandarJuilin Sandar is a Tairen thief-catcher hiding in the show with Mat. He stole Thera away from the High Lady Suroth, whose da'covale she was.
• Valan LucaValan Luca owns the traveling show where Mat and his companions hide, paid with a chest of Mat's gold. He holds a warrant from the High Lady Suroth that exempts his horses from the lottery.
• OlverOlver is a thin little boy of ten, the age he claims, sheltering in the show with Mat. He plays Snakes and Foxes on a board his dead father drew for him.