Rand’s attempts to avoid the Game of Houses in Cairhien are futile, as he is pushed into a corner by more invitations. His situation goes from bad to worse when he returns to find his inn on fire, the Horn stolen, and Hurin injured, just as his companions arrive.
Back in Cairhien, it is unclear how much time has passed since Rand’s stunt at the Illuminators’ compound, but it has been long enough that everyone is edgy. Each new invitation increases Hurin’s conviction that they must play the Game of Houses in order to survive. To Rand’s dismay, that translates into Hurin fully embracing his role as a doormat.
RAND: I’ll take the next watch when I get back.
HURIN: No need, my Lord.
RAND: I told you not to call me that.
HURIN: Of course, my Lord. How stupid of me. I shall go flog myself.
RAND: No! Will you stop saying things like that?!?
HURIN: As you wish, my Lord.
Rand soon becomes irritated enough to flog Hurin himself, but the innkeeper barges into the room with a tray bearing more invitations. This time they’re from the Barthanes Damodred and from King Galldrian himself. That means they’ve run out of time — soon Rand will have to take a side — or risk becoming a target. On their way to the guardhouse, Rand and Loial brainstorm ways to escape the city, but nothing sounds promising.
The guards still haven’t seen any sign of Ingtar, so they head back to the inn to find it ablaze. It’s funny, because I felt like Rand was pushing his luck when he left Hurin alone at the inn to guard the Horn the first time. But if he’s been habitually leaving Hurin alone with the full knowledge that Fain’s Darkfriends are in the city… dude, what did you think was going to happen? I could leave my front door wide open every night, but then I shouldn’t be shocked when the TV goes missing.
Rand and Loial rush into the burning building. The chest is gone and Hurin is injured. Loial carries him out, and Rand rescues his saddlebags (with the banner of the Dragon inside). Mat, Perrin, Verin, and Ingtar choose this moment to burst onto the scene. If they’d come just an hour earlier, this whole incident would have been avoided. I think it’s pretty obvious who is to blame — Urine, you’re on notice. From where I stand, you look like a Darkfriend sent by the Dark One himself to delay Ingtar’s arrival in Cairhien. You’d better watch yourself, Urine.