We read in CoT that Deathwatch Guard banner-general Furyk Karede is told by Seeker Almurat Mor about a sighting of Tuon north of the city.

This is from Karede's POV, listening to the Seeker (pg 157): ' "This came to us in the last few days." ... "It began among the local people, as near as we can tell, though we have not yet found the original source. Supposedly, a girl with a Seandar accent has been extorting gold and jewelry from merchants here in Ebou Dar. The title Daughter of the Nine Moons was mentioned." ... "None of the locals seem to understand what this title means, but the description of the girl is remarkably precise. Remarkably accurate. And no one can recall hearing this rumor before the night after Tylin's murder was discovered." '

Generally, Karede's non-commited reply to this story is "This gives me a great deal to think on."

We are told, from Karede's own POV earlier in this chapter, that Karede is very sensitive to accusations of treason within the Deathwatch Guard. Knowing this trait within the DG, the Seeker goes on, implicating the Deathwatch Guard in the supposed extortions, likely to convince Karede to commit to a search based upon this lead.

' "Whatever you choose to do, you should know this. You may wonder how the girl extorted anything from these merchants. It seems two or three soldiers always accompanied her. The description of their armor was also very precise." He half stretched out a hand as though to touch Karede's robe, but wisely let it fall back to his side. "Most people call that black. You understand me? Whatever you choose, do not delay." '

We readers can clearly tell that, although this is clearly a reference to Tuon ('the girl'), Tuon has not extorted gold or jewelry from any local merchants. So, either the Seeker does not know that the story is false, or is lying to get Karede to search for Tuon. Either way, the Seeker has sent Karede off to find Tuon toward the north based upon a story that is bogus.

How does the Seeker get his information? He (and all of the Seekers) is property of the Crystal Throne and takes orders from Suroth directly. One possibility is that He is ordered, likely by Suroth, to tell this bogus story to Karede. The other possibility is that he, and possibly together with other Seekers, are inducing Karede to search based upon other knowledge that they have on Tuon's whereabouts. So, either Suroth or the Seekers know where Tuon can be found.

How do either one of these parties know where she is, or the circumstances of her disapperance? First lets examine the Seekers. We do not have any evidence that the Seekers have any knowledge of Tuon's whereabouts, but they may certainly be capable of lying about it, even to a DG banner-general. We know that a yellow-haired Seeker, precisely matching Mor's description, told sul'dam Bethamin to spy on Egeanin. Of course, this lead to Egeanin, Bethamin, Renna and Seta fleeing Ebou Dar with Mat and company. If Mor is the one who is lying on his own, he has obviously discovered this group missing and has connected it with Tuon's disappearance somehow. He might consider Tuon to now be involved in the matter that he is investigating with regard to Suroth. Remember that Mor suspects Suroth of: 1) uncollared Aes Sedai damane, 2) hiding marath'damane among her property and 3) being a danger to the Empire (WH, pg 417). Mor might be acting on his own to further the investigatation of the conspiracy.

Now lets turn our attention to Suroth. Could Suroth know where Tuon is, and possibly her circumstances? I believe that Tuon's smiling may play a role to end this logical mystery. Tuon might have known that she would be captured, likely by whom, and likely where they would be going. She likely learned of this from Lidya, who read Tuon's fortune just before they arrived in Ebou Dar harbor. Tuon thinks to herself, "...and if any of the blood had heard, they would all be chattering behind their hands about her fate. (WH, pg 327)" Tuon told Suroth of these events which would occur, and possibly to allow them to occur to a certain point. When Mat decided to bring Tuon along, and effectively kidnap her, Tuon had known this would happen and "...smiled as she suddenly knew a secret."

Interestingly, Tuon never tries to escape from Mat, despite the fact that she could have easily on many occasions. She is also clearly liking her position with Toy, I mean Mat, as she is wearing his gift of silk rosebuds, while at the same time putting his name at the top of the list of those not under her protection. Tuon is not worried that she is in any danger, possibly because she has told Suroth where she will be and therefore does not feel as though she is in danger.

The last evidence implicating Suroth, and what initially triggered this theory, is the second to last line in CoT. The embassy of Bashere and Logain were sent to Suroth by Rand, and they returned saying, "Apparently a member of their royal family has arrived. Suroth wants you to meet someone called the Daughter of the Nine Moons." Ah ha! Supposedly Tuon is missing, but Suroth arranges a meeting between she and Rand? Busted!

In conclusion, the hard evidence of this theory makes it clear that either Suroth or the Seekers knows Tuon's whereabouts and lied to get the DG to search for her. Up for debate is whether Suroth or the Seeker is behind the lie. I can only hope that the comments stemming from this fact will be varied and interesting...