An abashed look darkened Hyn’s eyes as she approached Linden; a suggestion of shame. At the last moment, the dappled grey hesitated. She halted just out of Linden’s reach, issued a nickering query. In response to Hynyn’s peremptory snort, however, Hyn came another step closer, then bent one leg and lowered her head, bowing.

Oh, stop, Linden thought. I don’t blame you. I don’t know why you did it. But I’m sure you had your reasons. If I knew what they were, I might even approve.

They’re Ranyhyn, for God’s sake. They’ll think of something.

To reassure the mare, Linden went to her and wrapped her arms around Hyn’s neck.

Manethrall Mahrtiir prostrated himself briefly in front of Narunal, then sprang onto his mount’s back. When Galesend set Jeremiah astride Khelen, the boy settled there, passive and unmoved, as if there were no perceptible difference between the Swordmain’s care and the young stallion’s. While Linden still held Hyn, Stave mounted Hynyn; and the Giants arrayed themselves around the Ranyhyn.

For a long moment, Linden gazed into the softness of Hyn’s eyes until she was sure that the mare’s abashment had faded. Then she looked up at Frostheart Grueburn.

“All right,” she said as firmly as she could. “Let’s go. I want a bath as much as you do.”

With a fond grin, Grueburn put her huge hands on Linden’s waist, lifted Linden lightly onto Hyn’s back.

At once, the Ranyhyn began to move, trotting at a pace that the Giants could match without running.

The horses had chosen to approach the next wall of hills at a westward angle, away from the Sarangrave; closer to Landsdrop. From Linden’s perspective, the barricade looked impassable, for the mounts if not for the Giants. But within half a league, the Ranyhyn came to a more gradual slope that allowed them to reach a notch like a bite taken out of the forbidding ridge. And as they passed between rocky crests gnarled with lichen and age, she saw that the south-facing hillsides provided an easy descent.

The hills ahead appeared to be the last obstruction plowed to defend the Spoiled Plains.

In the furrow between the ridges, Stave guided Hynyn to Hyn’s side opposite Frostheart Grueburn. Linden expected him to say something about her actions the previous night. But when he had taken his position, he remained silent. Apparently he desired nothing more than to resume his wonted role as her guardian.