Matrim Cauthon accompanies Egeanin Tamarath, Seta Zarbey, Renna Emain, and Bayle Domon to the damane kennels. Mat ducks into one of the Sea Folk's rooms and quickly gags Nestelle din Sakura South Star. There he makes a Bargain with her. He will release her if she waits three hours before releasing the rest of the captured Sea Folk in the kennels and then cross the harbor to free more captured Sea Folk. They will then take back their ships and sail back out to sea. Mat opens the a'dam and shows her how to open it a number of times before he is satisfied and sneaks back out of the room. He nearly runs into the der'sul'dam, who is confronting Egeanin and Renna, who has an a'dam around Teslyn Baradon's neck. Egeanin manages to talk her way out of the situation and Mat gets away unnoticed.