Together Mahrtiir and Bhapa left the ridge to meet Covenant, followed by Clyme and Branl. The two Humbled were too sorely injured to walk without limping. In spite of their great strength, they looked like they might pitch forward onto their faces. Yet the Manethrall—badly hurt himself, and sustained only by vitrim—did not refuse their company.

They accosted Covenant a dozen paces below the crest; but Linden could not hear what they said. Whatever it was, it caused him to pause and listen.

In spite of her concentration on Stonemage, she wanted to ask Esmer, How did the ur-viles know what was going to happen? How did you? But another question leapt into her mouth.

“Why does Lord Foul care about Jeremiah? With or without the croyel, he’s just a boy,” ensepulchered and inaccessible. “What difference does he make to the Despiser?”

Like a dying breeze, Esmer breathed, “A-Jeroth’s designs are hidden from me. I know only that his hunger concerning the boy’s gifts festers within him. Perhaps he perceives an obscure peril. Or perhaps those gifts are necessary to his intent. In either case, he craves possession of your son.

“Such concerns matter naught to Kastenessen. Though moksha Raver hints of them, Kastenessen does not heed him.”

Roger wanted A portal to eternity. But Linden was too weary to pursue the idea. The next injury, and the next, required too much of her attention. A certain amount of Stonemage’s recovery could be entrusted to her native toughness. The rest, however—

Abruptly Covenant’s voice carried up the slope: a bark of outrage or dismay. “Bloody hell! Why didn’t one of you hit me? Break my arm? Do something? I might have been able to help!”

“How?” retorted Mahrtiir. Linden heard him clearly. “You are no warrior. You hold no implements of power.”

“I know that,” Covenant almost shouted. “But I would have been one hell of a distraction.” More quietly, he added, “If nothing else, I could have held the krill for Galt. He might still be alive.”

Grinding her teeth, Linden finished her work with Stonemage. She closed her eyes for a moment, wrestled for self-control. Then she turned Earthpower and Law on Cirrus Kindwind.

Kindwind was not in more danger than her comrades. She was simply closer to Linden.

“Wildwielder.” Esmer’s appeal sank as if he had lost hope. Nevertheless he continued to insist. “I cannot endure as I am. Nor do I wish to do so. An end I must have, if you will grant it. Still I beseech your acknowledgment that I am justified. If you cannot hear Cail’s voice in any other deed of mine, will you not concede worth to the presence of the ur-viles in this time? By their hands, I am undone. And your son’s release betrays both Kastenessen and a-Jeroth.”