Who killed Barthanes, the gholam? And why? Surely he was still useful to darkfriends as powerful as he was..

Yes the gholam, and because he helped Fain.

That was actually never confirmed, that I'm aware. It's certainly a reasonable assumption, though.

Really? I always thought Barthanes was killed by Thom.

Their armor level seems hundreds of years behind their weapons tech too. Now that cannons are invented, it seems weapons jumped another 300 years ahead, and they still don't use plate mail armor.

A table, one chest, and a few chairs were the only furnishings except for two racks on the wall, and they

caught Rand's eye as much as the tapestry. One held a two-handed sword, taller than a man, a more ordinary

broadsword, and below them a studded mace and a long, kite-shaped shield bearing three foxes. From the other

hung a suit of armor, complete and arranged as one would wear it. Crested helmet with its barred face-guard

over a double-mail camail. Mail hauberk, split for riding, and leather undercoat, polished from wear.

Breastplate, steel gauntlets, knee and elbow cops, and half-plate for shoulders and arms and legs. Even here in

the heart of the Keep, weapons and armor seemed ready to be donned at any moment. Like the furniture, they

were simply and severely decorated with gold.