Mat walked back towards his Seanchan guard, all sitting in the meadow keeping an uneasy distance between them and the Aiel. Sey-Kon rushed towards him as he came into sight.

"All went as well as can be expected, under the circumstances. I gave our friends here my word that Aviendha is not being held prisoner by us, and that I will do everything I can to find and free her."

Sey-Kon and the other Deathwatch guards bowed their head to him.

The march back to Ebou Dar was a hasty one. Mat knew he had bought time with the Aiel, but he did not know how long his word alone would keep them from coming for their kin.

Back in the Tarasin palace, Mat called for a damane.

'Get me a gateway to the Two Rivers, we're going to find a friend.'

Perrin Aybara, Lord of the Two Rivers, currently found himself in the smithy that was built outside of the Great Hall of Emond's Field. He had fared quite well after the Last Battle, and so had the Two Rivers. The land itself had become almost legend, bringing forth some of the greatest people this Era knew. Living in past legends was glorious, but seeing current legends was something people moved all over the world for.
The great city now had not only a Tairen quarter, but also an Altaran, a Shienaran, an Illyrian and even an enclave specifically built for Ogier.

But most numerous were of course the Saldeans. After the death of her father, his wife Faile ni Bashere t'Aybara had become Queen of Saldea, and this newfound alliance between the Saldeans and the Two Rivers brought many migrants to both lands. Tobacco was now found in abundance in Saldea, and ice peppers where a constant in the Two Rivers.

Faile and he would travel between Saldea and Emond's Field, always staying one month in one place. Of course, with the rediscovery of gateways this travelling had become as easy as mounting a horse.

While walking back inside, he let his mind drift to the wolfbrothers. They came here, in the forests surrounding the city. Any other city they would avoid, but they knew this was the nest of Young Bull. Killing a wolf here would be like killing a child, and would be punished accordingly.

Faile rose from the wolf throne that stood at the end of the great hall.

"Husband, we have visitors. I dare even say, friends", she added that last remark with a smirk and a wink.

With their backs to him, Perrin could make out four people standing in front of his wife. He didn't need to see his face to recognize one of his best friends however.

"Mat! What are you doing here!", shouted Lord Goldeneyes. Before Mat could turn around and answer the question he was lifted off his feet by two strong, broad arms.

"Put me down you big oaf, I am royalty you peasant!", Mat cried out. That brought a round of laughter from everyone present but the Seanchan, who watched uneasily as their prince was nearly being crushed to death.

"Oh Mattrim Cauthon, not even a whole Sea Folk raker full of silk could make you royalty.", Faile cried out after she had regained her composure.

After finally landing on his feet, Mat turned to face Perrin.

Perrin smelled that Matt was not here on social business.

"What's wrong Mat?"

"Aviendha Perrin, I don't know where she is or what's going on but she's in trouble. You know women…" A slight cough from Faile earned her a glance from Matt. If you didn't know here, you could mistake it for a polite cough. It was not however.

"I need your help, I don't know where she is or what's going on, but I want to search Tel'aran'rhiod for her."

Perrin eyed his wife.

"What do you think wife, are you up for another adventure?"

Faile sniffed.

"As long as this one doesn't end up with me riding through the Blight being chased by Trollocs I'm all for it."

Perrin turned back to Mat.

"Lead the way, let's go."