I literally had goosebumps!
And yeah, it's been a long time since I've read this book but I remember that Rand and Mat jet assuming that Thom is a goner at some junction, so I suppose now is fine. But yeah it's going to be a hot minute until we see him again.
If we're not getting to Caemlyn...
Everything @Satara al'Caelahn said.
And I'm assuming it wasn't Mat who killed everyone in that house? It was the Fade?
I like the little Birgitte nod too.