“Linden,” he breathed, addressing himself only to her. “Linden Avery. I see the distress which feeds upon your heart. None here do not. Even Anele is disturbed by it, and I do not doubt that the Unbeliever would seek to console you, were he able to escape his wounded mind.

“Will you not take comfort from the desire of your friends to accompany you in all things?

“I do not speak of the Haruchai. They do as they must. Even Stave does so. Nor do I speak of the Giants, who delight in extremity and hazard. No, Linden. I speak of your lesser companions, we who have stood at your side from the first.

“Manethrall Mahrtiir, Bhapa, Pahni, and I lack the heritage of Earthpower which exalts of the Haruchai and the Giants. Even Anele is a being of power where we are not. Yet we have confronted monsters and mysteries in your name. We have dared Demondim and skurj, kresh and Cavewights. And we have twice endured caesures. Within the second, I have participated in your thoughts, sharing the pain and force and darkness and yearning of your spirit.

“Will you not consider that we choose to remain at your side, knowing that you have dared the Earth’s doom? Will you not permit our trust to ease you?”

Linden could not face him. Nor could she explain herself: her emotions ran in too many directions to be named. Instead, muffled against her knees, she said, “I had a chance to take pity on Elena,” Covenant’s endlessly suffering daughter, “and I couldn’t do it.” She had not merely Desecrated Law to resurrect Covenant: she had failed to resurrect him whole. “I’m glad you’re coming with me. I’m glad you’re all coming. But I’m as broken as Covenant is. I’ve fallen—somewhere—and I don’t know how to climb out.”

She felt Liand stiffen as she replied. At first, she thought that she had hurt him. But then she read him more clearly. He did not feel rejected. Instead he was drawing on the dignity with which he had often answered her efforts to spare him.

“Then,” he told her sternly, “there is no other path for you. You must walk it or perish. Arise now and allow the Harrow to fulfill the terms of your exchange. Every delay heightens your own peril as much as your son’s.”

Lost in her confusion, Linden was surprised to find that Liand of Mithil Stonedown the authority to command her. He diminished her: truly he did. At the same time, however, he bestowed new reasons for gratitude.

“All right,” she answered indistinctly, although she did not move. “I understand. Just give me a minute. Tell everyone to get ready. We’ll leave soon.”

When Liand rose to his feet and turned away, he seemed to take some of her tossed and eddying emotional currents with him.