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〃We are very small；〃 Simon said between swallows。 The kangkang seemed to be flowing in his veins like blood。
〃So are the stars； kunde…manne；〃 Sludig murmured。 〃But they each one burn as bright as they can。 Have another drink。〃
Later…in truth； Simon was not sure exactly how much time had passed； or what had bee of Sludig…he found himself seated on a log beside the fire； Sisqi on one side of him； the bearded herder Shenneq on the other。 They were all holding hands。 Simon reminded himself to be gentle with the small； rough palms folded in his own。 All around him the trolls swayed and he swayed with them。 They sang； and although he did not understand the words of their song； he added his voice to theirs； listening to the brave roar they all made beneath the night sky； feeling his heart beating in his chest like a drum。
〃Do we really have to go today？〃 Simon asked； struggling to hold the saddle in place while Sludig tightened the belly…strap。 The single torch did not throw much light in the darkened cave that served as a stable。 Beyond the wall of spruces dawn was unfolding。
〃It is seeming a good thought to me；〃 Binabik said； voice muffled； his head hidden by a leather flap as he inspected the saddlebags。 〃Chukku's Stones！ Why am I not waiting until we are outside in the light？ Like hunting white weasels in deep snow； this is。〃
〃I would have liked a day to rest；〃 Simon said。 In fact； he was not feeling too badly； considering all the Qanuc liquor he had drunk the night before； but for a faint hammering m his temples and a certain weakness in his joints； he was doing fairly well。
〃As would I。 As also； no doubt； would Sludig 。。。〃 the troll replied。 〃Ah！ Kikkaksut！ There is something sharp in here！〃
〃Hold that damned thing！〃 Sludig growled as the saddle jerked free of Simon's grasp。 The horse nickered in irritation and jogged a step to the side before Simon grasped the saddle again。
〃But； you are seeing；〃 Binabik continued； 〃we have no knowledge how long it will take to cross the Waste。 If winter is spreading； the sooner this is done will make the better for us。 There are others； too； who may be carrying word of us to ears that are not friendly。 We are not knowing who survived Urmsheim from the huntsman's troop。 They saw Thorn； I am thinking。〃 He patted the sword； which was now wrapped in hides and strapped to the back of Simon's saddle。
The mention of Ingen Jegger made Simon's stomach…already uneasy after a morning meal of dried fish…twist。 He did not like to think of the terrible Queen's Huntsman in his snarling…muzzled helm； who had pursued them like an avenging ghost。
Please； God； Simon thought； let him be dead on the dragon…mountain。 We don't need any more enemies； especially one like him。
〃I suppose you're right；〃 he said heavily。 〃But I don't like it。〃
〃What was it that Haestan used to say？〃 Sludig asked； straightening up。 〃 'Now you know what it is like to be a soldier'？〃
〃That's what he used to say。〃 Simon smiled sadly。
Sisqinanamook and her folk gathered around as Simon and his panions brought out their saddled mounts。 The Qanuc men and women seemed torn between the ceremonies of leavetakmg and the fascination inspired by the horses； whose legs were longer than the herders and huntresses were tall。 The horses shuffled nervously at first as the little people stroked and patted them； but the trolls seemed to have learned more than a little in their generations of sheepherding； the horses soon gentled； pluming the frosty air with their breath as the Qanuc admired them。
At last Sisqi waved for order； then spoke rapidly to Simon and Sludig m the language of the Trollfells。 Binabik smiled and said： 〃Sisqinanamook bids you farewell on behalf of the Mintahoq Qanuc and our Herder and Huntress。 She says that the Qanuc people have seen many new things in late days； and though the world is changing for worse； not all the changes are being for bad。〃 He nodded to Sisqi and she spoke again； now fixing her eyes on Sludig。
〃Good…bye； Rimmersman；〃 Binabik translated。 〃You are the kindest Croohok she has ever heard about； and none of the folk who stand here are now afraid of you any more。 Tell your Herder and Huntress…〃 he grinned； perhaps imagining Duke Isgrimnur answering to either title； 〃…that the Qanuc are being a brave folk； too； but also a just folk who do not like pointless fighting。〃
Sludig nodded 〃I will。〃
Sisqi turned her attention to Simon。 〃And you； Snowlock； do not be afraid。 She will tell any of the Qanuc back on Mintahoq who wonder at the story of your dragon…lashing about the bravery she has been able to witness。 Any others here will be doing the same。〃 He listened carefully for a moment； then grinned。 〃She also urges you for being careful of her intended…who is me…and for using your bravery to keep him safe。 This she is asking in the name of new friendship。〃
Simon was touched。 〃Tell her；〃 he said slowly； 〃that I will protect her intended…who is also my friend…to death and beyond。〃
As Binabik relayed his words； Sisqi stared at Simon； her eyes intent and serious。 When the troll had finished； Sisqi bowed her head toward them； stiff and prideful。 Simon and Sludig did the same。 The other Qanuc pressed forward； touching those who were about to leave as though to send something with them。 Simon found himself surrounded by small； black…haired heads； and again had to remind himself that the trolls were not children； but mortal men and women who loved and fought and died just as bravely and seriously as any knight of Erkynland。 Callused fingers squeezed his hand and many things that sounded kind were said to him in words he could not understand。
Sisqi and Binabik had wandered off from the others； back toward the sleeping cave。 When they got there； Sisqi ducked m； emerging a moment later with a long spear in her hands； its shaft busy with carvings。
〃Here；〃 she said。 〃You will need this where you are going； beloved； and it will be longer than nine times nine days before you return。 Take it。 I know we will be together once more…if the gods are kind。〃
〃Even if they are not。〃 Binabik tried to smile； but could not。 He took the spear from her and rested it against the facing of the cave。 〃When we meet again； may it be granted that it is beneath no shadow。 I will hold you in my heart； Sisqi。〃
〃Hold me against you now；〃 she said quietly； and they stepped forward into each other's arms。 〃Blue Mud Lake is cold this year。〃
〃I will be back 。。。〃 Binabik began。
〃No more talk。 Our time is short。〃
Their faces came together； vanishing as their hoods touched each other； and they stood that way for a long time。 They were both trembling。
PART TWO
Storm's Hand
11
Bones of the Earth
IT was often said that of all the lands of men in Osten Ard； secrets ran deepest in Hernystir。 Not that the land itself was hidden； like the fabled Trollfells lurking beyond the icy fence of the White Waste； or the land of the Wrannamen； shrouded in treacherous swamps。 The secrets Hernystir kept were hidden in the hearts of its people； or below its sunny meadows； deep in the e