"Not like I was abandoning him", he muttered. "If he can't bloody take care of himself by now, he'll never be able to. I'm not his bloody nursemaid".
==================================
“I will be sorry to see you go,” Rand said quietly.
“Don’t try to talk me out of—” Mat blinked. “That’s it? You’ll be sorry to see me go?”
“I’ve never tried to make you stay, Mat. Perrin went when he had to, and so can you.”
===================================
Rand said sadly. “The Light shine on you, Mat,” he added, sticking out his hand, “and send you smooth roads, fair weather and pleasant company until we meet again.”
That would not be soon, if Mat had his way. He felt a little sad about that, and a little foolish for feeling sad, yet a man had to look after himself.
==================================
A few more awkward words standing there—Lan seemed to ignore them, arms folded, silently studying the maps, while Natael had begun idly plucking his harp; Mat had an ear for music, and to him the unfamiliar tune had an ironic sound; he wondered why the fellow had chosen it—a few more moments and Rand half-stepping around actually putting an end to it, and then Mat was outside.
===================================
Rand stood staring after Mat long after the tent flaps had fallen to hide him.
==================================
“Play ‘March of Death,’ ” he commanded in a harsher voice than he wanted, and Natael looked at him blankly for a moment.
“Play it, unless you know a sadder. Play something to make your soul weep. If you have one still.”
===================================
Now and again one of the Aiel would glance at Natael, a brief tightness to eyes or mouth suggesting that the mournful music plucked at something in him. Even the Tairens grimaced sadly. The sounds washed over Rand, though, touching nothing. Tears were a luxury he could no longer afford, not even inside.
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