Sagoh
CAEMLYN — A series of violent, unexplained incidents has gripped the outskirts of the Andoran capital, forcing the Band of the Red Hand to implement emergency defensive protocols. The recent string of murders, characterized by the gruesome state of the victims, has raised alarms among local authorities and military leadership alike. As the geopolitical landscape of the Westlands shifts, the presence of an enigmatic, near-invulnerable predator—identified by military commanders as a gholam—has transformed a routine encampment into a high-stakes tactical theater.
Chronology of the Escalation
The unrest began in the taverns and common rooms of Caemlyn, where Matrim Cauthon, commander of the Band of the Red Hand, first encountered signs of unnatural distress. Reports indicate that Cauthon, while navigating the local dicing scene, was confronted with news of a brutal homicide: a man found with his throat eviscerated and his body completely exsanguinated.
The tension escalated rapidly throughout the evening:
- Early Evening: Cauthon, after a tense exchange with a local innkeeper regarding sensitive correspondence from an Aes Sedai, moved to a secondary, less reputable establishment. During a high-stakes game of chance, the behavior of the dice—which defied physical laws by landing on their corners—served as a harbinger of the supernatural danger to follow.
- Late Evening: Cauthon reunited with his lieutenant, Thom Merrilin, at an inn within the city. The meeting was interrupted by a display of lethal precision; Merrilin, sensing an impending threat or seeking to curb distractions, pinned Cauthon’s sleeve to the stage with a thrown knife. The two exchanged intelligence regarding the gholam and the necessity of infiltrating the Tower of Ghenjei.
- Nightfall: Upon returning to the Band’s designated camp, outside the city walls, Cauthon was ambushed. The gholam, a creature of mythic lethality, infiltrated Cauthon’s private tent. The ensuing struggle resulted in the deaths of three men: the valet Lopin and two guards, Riddem and Will Reeve.
- Post-Incident: Following the creature’s escape into the darkness, a rapid investigation led by Cauthon confirmed the survival of the youth Olver, who was under the protection of a soldier known as Noal.
Supporting Data: The Nature of the Threat
The gholam represents an unprecedented threat to the stability of the region. Military intelligence suggests the creature is an artifact of the Age of Legends, possessing physical capabilities that surpass human limits, including the ability to traverse narrow apertures and a near-total immunity to traditional weaponry.
The creature’s tactical behavior during the attack provides chilling insights into its objective. It explicitly taunted Cauthon, claiming to be under the control of a new master who has ordered it to systematically eliminate Cauthon’s close associates—including Thom Merrilin, Noal, and even the Empress Tuon—to force a final confrontation.
"The thing is clever," Cauthon noted during a subsequent tactical briefing. "It knew where to find me in Tylin’s palace. It is not merely a beast; it is an observer, a hunter that gathers information."
Furthermore, the discovery of the body of a soldier named Derry, who had been missing for several days, suggests the creature has been active in the area for a prolonged period, likely extracting information through torture before committing its final act of violence.
Official Responses and Tactical Shifts
The Andoran government, represented by the clerk Norry, has maintained a strict perimeter policy regarding the Band of the Red Hand. Under current agreements, the Band is restricted to camping at least one league from the city walls and limiting city entry to no more than one hundred personnel per day.
In light of the gholam attack, the Band has moved to a decentralized security model. Cauthon, Merrilin, and their core group are now rotating their lodging among various city inns to prevent the creature from pinpointing their location.
Aes Sedai presence has also been a focal point of the crisis. Teslyn Sedai, who was liberated by Cauthon from Seanchan captivity, played a pivotal role in the defense of the camp by utilizing Weaves of Air to provide Cauthon with an opening. Following the attack, a shift in the Aes Sedai’s disposition toward Cauthon was noted; Teslyn offered a formal, respectful acknowledgment of her debt to the commander—a gesture that significantly altered the perceived dynamic between the mercenary leader and the White Tower.
Implications for the Last Battle
The implications of these events extend far beyond the immediate safety of the camp. The intersection of Cauthon’s personal struggle, the potential for an alliance with the White Tower, and the looming threat of the Last Battle creates a volatile environment.
The Problem of Communication
Cauthon has expressed frustration regarding the lack of response to his correspondence with Queen Elayne Trakand. Political analysts suggest that the lack of communication may not be a snub, but rather a bureaucratic filter. As a monarch, Trakand’s correspondence is managed by clerks who may have deemed a "curse-filled" letter from an unverified source as unworthy of royal attention. The upcoming arrival of an "unexpected letter" is expected to clarify this situation, but for now, the disconnect hampers coordination between the Band and the Andoran crown.
Strategic Assets and Liabilities
The Band’s pursuit of the Tower of Ghenjei, based on intelligence provided by the merchant Bayle Domon, remains a primary objective. However, the gholam threat forces a diversion of resources. There is growing speculation that Cauthon may seek to leverage the expertise of the White Tower—specifically Queen Trakand’s research into ter’angreal—to replicate the medallion he possesses, which appears to be the only effective deterrent against the gholam.
The Role of Fate and the Wheel
Observers of these events point to the increasingly blurred lines between individual agency and the dictates of the Pattern. Cauthon’s possession of the memories of ancient generals, initially dismissed as a side effect of his contact with the Eelfinn, now appears to be a crucial component in his development as a military leader. Just as Rand al’Thor has begun to reconcile with the consciousness of Lews Therin, Cauthon has begun to integrate these "borrowed" memories as his own, preparing him for the monumental task of leading the forces of the Light during Tarmon Gai’don.
Conclusion: A City on Edge
As Caemlyn prepares for the uncertain future, the presence of the gholam serves as a stark reminder of the dark forces moving through the world. For Matrim Cauthon, the challenge is twofold: he must navigate the complex, often frustrating politics of the Aes Sedai and the Andoran court, while simultaneously hunting a creature that has been specifically engineered to kill him.
The decision to remain in the city while managing these threats indicates a level of resolve that many had previously underestimated in the young commander. Whether this will lead to a decisive victory or a deeper entanglement in the machinations of the Dark One remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the safety of the capital—and perhaps the success of the Last Battle—depends heavily on the Band’s ability to neutralize this predator before it strikes again.
Neng Nana
Pevita Pearce
