He left the obvious futility of the idea hanging. According to the tales that Linden had heard in various forms, the Forestals had created their Interdict by imprisoning an Elohim within the Colossus. Now, she felt sure, Infelice’s people were done with self-sacrifice. They were already dying.

“Then,” Rime Coldspray said like a growl, “since we have named the Elohim, I will add one more to our litany of concerns.

“The Swordmainnir do not forget Lostson Longwrath, who remains abroad in the Land, driven by purposes which we do not comprehend. With the resurrection of Thomas Covenant, the geas inflicted upon him by the Elohim has been thwarted. Has he now been released? Does rage still compel him to insanity and murder? We are Giants, and his people. We cannot forget him.”

Longwrath had tried to kill Linden. More than once. But what could the Elohim possibly gain by her death now?

A moment later, Manethrall Mahrtiir rose to his feet. Impatiently he stepped into the circle. Through his teeth, he said, “This accounting of perils accomplishes naught. At one time, a measure of guidance was proffered to us. In the absence of other counsel, we must rely upon it. Will you speak of that, Timewarden?”

Covenant flinched. “What do you mean?”

Linden winced as well. She knew what was coming.

“On the plateau of Lord’s Keep,” Mahrtiir stated, “you addressed those of us who are the Ringthane’s first companions. In Anele’s voice, you delivered prophecies and counsel. We have forgotten none of your words, yet their import eludes us.

“Will you shed some light upon them now, that we may see our paths before us?”

Again Covenant scrubbed his unfeeling hands over his face as if to remind himself that his palms and the remains of his fingers still existed. Briefly he avoided the Manethrall’s bandaged scrutiny. Then he raised his head, met the stare of Mahrtiir’s empty eye sockets. Compassion or regret blurred his gaze.

“I’m sorry. I don’t remember. And I’m afraid to try. Sometimes digging into the past makes me slip. When that happens, I don’t know how to bring myself back.”

At once, the Manethrall retorted, “Amanibhavam will restore you.”

“Sure,” Covenant answered like a curse. “And whenever you do something like that, another piece of what I’m trying to remember disappears. Permanently, as far as I can tell. Then there’s less of me, and I can’t recover what I was.”

He appeared to bear the attention of the company as long as he could. Then he punched his fists against each other.

“See?” he snapped. “This is why I shouldn’t have said anything while I was still part of the Arch. It’s why I didn’t say anything until I was brought back to life. It makes you look at me like you think I know what to do.