Grueburn and two of the other Giants came closer to scrutinize the Ardent’s ravaged form. Then they shook their heads. With pity in their eyes, they stepped back, leaving the Insequent to Linden and Covenant.

“They got it wrong.” Covenant’s voice was choked with pity. “When I told you I wanted them to make an exception, I didn’t mean this.” His compassion gathered until it resembled outrage. “They didn’t by God listen.”

“Told,” chortled the Ardent. “Listen. Tell.” His voice scaled high; sank low. “The Insequent are not told. One stricture for all. One allowance unmakes all. Every life. They listen. Oh, they listen! Some grieve. But you do not tell the Insequent to end every life.”

“What?” Linden protested, unable to stop herself. “Every life? Are you saying that every Insequent dies, the whole race dies, if they let you live?”

“Listen,” he repeated. “The Ardent tells. You do not listen.” Ribbands flinched around him. “One stricture for all. One stricture for all.”

His condition was yet another consequence of Linden’s need to rescue her son.

While Covenant floundered in chagrin, Onyx Stonemage murmured thickly, “It is a geas, is it not? He has spoken of such matters. The will of the Insequent rules him still, though he stands at the outermost verge of his life.”

As if he were answering her, the Ardent said, “Such carnage.” He giggled softly. “Great death, aye. Great and needful. Incondign.” His gaze veered from place to place as if he were watching motes of fine dust circulate. “It does not suffice.”

Groaning to herself, Linden tried not to imagine what he meant.

“If this is indeed a geas,” Cirrus Kindwind suggested, “surely it is incomplete. I do not wish to conceive that the Insequent have imposed his presence here merely to demonstrate that he suffers a compulsory doom. They cannot lack all heart.”

None of her comrades responded. Covenant gritted his teeth, restraining himself until the muscles at the corners of his jaw bunched like knuckles.

The Ardent had done so much more than Linden could have asked of him. This was his reward.

Behind her, Stave emerged from the stream. A moment later, Rime Coldspray and Manethrall Mahrtiir did the same. Dripping, Stave approached Linden and Covenant while Coldspray walked stiffly to join the Swordmainnir. At the same time, Bhapa hurried down the slope with food for the Manethrall.

Linden feared that Mahrtiir’s aggrieved pride would require him to ignore Bhapa. But apparently the Manethrall was determined to accept that he, too, had been humbled. Leaning an arm across Bhapa’s shoulders, he acknowledged the Cord’s concern by taking a little food. However, he did not stop moving until he stood beside Linden.