Immediately Mahrtiir retorted, “You impose nothing, Master.” His scorn was as harsh as Galt’s. His garrote he held taut between his fists. “The Ranyhyn will bear you and the boy and the monster, or they will not. Their choices are not yours to make.”

Galt ignored the Manethrall. More to the Giants than to Stave, the Ramen, or Linden, he said, “A weightier reason is that my present task fetters me. Against the assault which slew the Stonedownor, I could not act without risking the croyel’s release. I will not again suffer this waste of my strength when every strength is needed.”

As steady as a boulder, Stave replied, “If your impatience surpasses your flawed restraint, cede the krill to me. I will bear the burden in your stead.”

Stave also Galt ignored. “A still greater argument,” he continued like the thud of funereal drums, “is that the boy’s plight cannot be redeemed. That has been demonstrated beyond question. It has been amply witnessed.”

No, Linden insisted. No. But the Humbled did not heed her silent protest.

“Linden Avery’s mad quest for her son has met its irreparable doom. Lacking any good cause, we have endured many bitter hazards in her name, and have gained naught but an increase of sorrow. Now our need for the croyel’s death exceeds the value of the boy’s life. The Unbeliever has commanded us to honor Linden Avery’s wishes. In his present state, we cannot. We must serve according to our avowed Mastery.”

“There your reasoning falters,” Stave pronounced. “You arrogate to yourselves a foresight which you do not possess. One failure does not foretell another. That the Chosen has not found some means to relieve her son does not ordain that she can not or will not. To claim otherwise is to assert certainty concerning events and deeds which have not yet occurred.”

Yes, Linden thought. Please. I’m going to try again. As soon as I think of a way to do it. I just need time.

But still Galt ignored Stave. Now he appeared to speak exclusively to the Giants as if he considered the rest of the company suspect; flawed by their loyalties.

“However, the greatest reason is this. When the time comes to confront our foes, the Unbeliever will require the krill. High Lord Loric invested this blade and this gem with a mighty theurgy. Like my own strength, that theurgy is wasted in its present use. It is wasted utterly, though it will be utterly needed.

“The Unbeliever did not wrest it from its place merely to capture and preserve the boy. He foresaw far graver exigencies, else he would not have surrendered all of Andelain to ravage and ruin. It cannot be his intent that Andelain should perish for the sake of Linden Avery’s irretrievable child.”