The scree rattled and Samson Honeypot came hurtling down the slope. Like a hurricane. An avenging angel. Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder—in November! The Wallcreeper’s horse reared up, neighing frantically, and Grellenort jerked his sword out of its scabbard. And in front of Reynevan’s eyes dropped it, taking several rapid steps backwards.

“Reayahyah!” he bellowed. “Bartzabel! Ha-Shartatan!”

Lightning flashed again. Before he was temporarily blinded, Reynevan saw the Wallcreeper’s face contort in panic-stricken fear, squint his eyes and wave his arms clumsily. And suddenly begin to shrink, melt, change shape, until finally he flew away in the form of a loudly croaking bird.

“Adsuuumus! ” resounded from somewhere nearby, and other voices answered the call from nearer and further away. Neighing and the thudding of hooves reverberated.

“Adsuuumuuuus! Adsuuumuuuuus! ”

“Take the horse,” panted Samson, pressing the reins of the black steed into his hands. “Into the saddle and ride…”

“And you?”

“Don’t worry about me. We have to split up. We’ll find each other at dawn. Flee! Ride!”

Reynevan swung himself into the saddle, Samson slapped the horse’s rump and the black horse neighed and galloped off between the firs. Although galloping through a dark forest could have been fatal, Reynevan, stupefied by recent events, knew how to adjust his riding to the conditions and cope with obstacles. Somewhere behind, and then to the side, he heard the tramping of hooves and wild cries. Reynevan pressed his cheek against the mane.

“Adsuumuus! Adsumuus! ”

The moon went behind the clouds, plunging the world into impenetrable darkness. Only then did Reynevan begin to slow the steed down, without difficulty, as a matter of fact, for the gallop had exhausted the black horse and it was wheezing, covered in foam. Reynevan reined it in and listened. Cries were still drifting through the forest. And whistles. The black horse snorted.

At the sound of a piercing whistle close by, the horse tossed its head and whinnied. Reynevan caught it by the nostrils, but it didn’t help. The black horse just jerked its head and neighed even louder. Understanding that the horse was reacting to a call, Reynevan instinctively dismounted and lashed the black horse’s rump with an osier ripped from a bush. The horse leaped away with a squeal and Reynevan ran through the forest. In the opposite direction. As far away as he could. He ran blindly, without stopping, terror giving him strength and fleetness of foot.