“You aren’t here,” Covenant snapped. “You don’t see what Kastenessen’s Durance costs him.” His vehemence was as startling as a shout. “The Elohim think he deserves it. I don’t know how it’s possible to deserve this kind of pain.”

Linden’s health-sense recognized the truth. Covenant was still lost in some fissure of recollection. He spoke as though he stood at Kastenessen’s side while the horrific task of containing the skurj drove the Elohim mad.

Shaking his head, Mahrtiir rose to his feet. “Accept my regret, Ringthane,” he said gruffly. “He has fallen too far. Amanibhavam cannot restore him now.”

Linden sighed. “Then go.” In her own way, she was as displaced as Covenant. “Do what you have to do. When you come back, we’ll try to figure out”—she had no language for her sense of helplessness—“something.”

The Manethrall replied with a grave bow. Then he left the company, heading east along the floor of the canyon. As he moved, he gradually quickened his pace until he was sprinting blind. Soon he had faded beyond the reach of Linden’s senses.

He, too, had loved Liand.

Without meeting Rime Coldspray’s gaze, Linden murmured, “If you still want to do it, Liand deserves a cairn.”

The Ironhand nodded. “In a moment. First there is a question that I must ask. Linden Giantfriend, your discernment surpasses ours. Perhaps you will be able to answer.”

Done with apportioning and securing the Ardent’s supplies, several of the Giants gathered around Coldspray and Linden.

“We were informed,” Rime Coldspray began, “that the touch of orcrest inspires sanity in Anele. Yet now he holds the Sunstone—and is not transformed.”

“I know,” said Linden sadly. “I see the same thing.”

“Then my question is twofold. If orcrest no longer wields the virtue of sanity, does it yet ward him from possession? If it does not, what purpose is served by his grasp? In another’s hands—in the Timewarden’s, perchance, or in yours—it might aid us well.”

It might force Covenant to remain present. If so, he would reject it.

“And if Anele no longer finds himself in orcrest,” Coldspray continued, “are you not blameless for Liand’s death? While the skein of his mind remains confused, the deeds which ensued from your heedlessness would not have been altered. Does his state not demonstrate the unwisdom of claiming fault? Does he not give you cause to excuse yourself?”

Linden shook her head. “No.” Still she avoided Coldspray’s eyes. “He’s even more vulnerable like this.” She had found no forgiveness while she was alone with Liand’s body. “Orcrest isn’t affecting him right now”—she scrutinized the old man to confirm her perceptions—“because he isn’t letting it.

“Usually it triggers the Earthpower bred in his bones—or his magic triggers Earthpower from the Sunstone. Then he’s sane. But now—” Linden shrugged stiffly. “He’s hiding himself somehow. I didn’t know he could do that. But he needs his madness.”

Like an answer, the old man muttered, “Anele fears.”

His voice snatched at Linden’s attention. Cautiously she moved toward him. “Anele?”