There are rumors of a man found one night with his throat ripped out. Mat can immediately tell that this is the gholam, searching - and finding - nourishment. Mat resents how Olver forces him to play Snakes and Foxes every single night. Thom and Beslan sneak out of the Palace too often for Mat's liking, and he believes they are up to some mischief. He also notices that the Seanchan are continuing to stream into Ebou Dar with no signs of slowing down. There are also several rumors about the Dragon Reborn, ranging from he captured Illian to he has knelt before the White Tower. Of course, as Mat thinks about Rand, those strange flashes of color appear in his head. These days he tries very hard not to think of the other two ta'veren just to avoid the colors. He wants to escape Ebou Dar with Va