Part of her yearned to rush to Liand’s side; gauge the extent of his wounds; help him as much as she was able. Part of her burned to leap past him and snatch up the Sunstone, hoping that its touch would restore some measure of her percipience. But she compelled herself to remain motionless. The croyel could crush her as easily as it had broken Liand. She had no defense.

She knew what to do. She had already made her decision. But she had to wait for the right moment.

The moment when both the Harrow and the creature would be distracted.

Where was Roger? Surely Thomas Covenant’s son would not have left the croyel and Jeremiah unguarded? Linden was counting on that. Alone, the power of Kastenessen’s hand was not enough for Roger. Nor were the complex magicks of the croyel. Like the creature, Roger required Jeremiah’s supernal talents. Without them, Roger and the croyel would not survive the destruction of the Arch of Time to become gods.

Gradually the contest between the Harrow and the croyel eased or shifted. Linden saw the change in the loosening of the Insequent’s shoulders, the adjustment of his posture. He must have decided to try different tactics.

“Do you dare me?” His voice held only triumph despite the scorn gleaming in the croyel’s eyes. Beside Jeremiah’s vacancy, he was a figure of sculpted muscle, graceful garb, and dominance. “You see that my flesh and bone are no greater than those of the youth whom you possess. Therefore you conclude that I am a lesser being than yourself. Yet you are sorely mistaken. To your cost, you refuse the consummation of my gaze. Do you not perceive that I have learned the uses of the Staff of Law? And soon I will wield the incomparable forces of white gold. At that moment, my knowledge and magicks will become perfection.

“Doubtless your strengths are ancient and potent. Nonetheless you cannot stand against me.”

Briefly the creature lifted its fangs from Jeremiah’s neck to grin at the Harrow. Then it resumed its dire feeding.

“Nor can you hope for aid here,” the Insequent continued. “The defense which you have devised blocks foe and friend alike. Even the halfhand who has been your companion and ally cannot broach this warded chamber.”

Cannot—? Linden’s chest tightened. The Harrow may have been telling the truth. Before the battle of First Woodhelven, he had pierced the glamour with which Roger had veiled himself and his Cavewights. Surely the Harrow would have recognized the danger if Roger had been present?

But when Roger had arrived to attack the Harrow and Esmer and Linden, he had left the croyel behind. He had approached and struck without the croyel’s support, the croyel’s theurgy.

Nevertheless the deep soil of the Harrow’s disdain matched the creature’s malign gaze.