Part 69 (2/2)

Yet he was alive. In some sense, he was whole; unmarked except by his old wounds. Even his clothes were intact. Linden could see the rent in his T-s.h.i.+rt where he had been stabbed for Joan's sake. His hair was tousled silver like reified white gold.

Fires flickered up and down his body. They were the only light in the vale; or in Andelain; or in the Land. Slowly they exhausted themselves and went out.

While the last wisps of power streamed from his eyes, Covenant forced himself to straighten his back and look at Linden.

He took one step toward her, then another, before his legs failed and he plunged to his knees. Still upright, he gazed at her with such dismay that her throat closed. She could not breathe.

”Oh, Linden.” His first words to her were a hoa.r.s.e gasp. ”What have you done?”

”Done, Timewarden?” Infelice snapped viciously. ”Done? She has roused the Worm of the World's End. Such magicks must be answered. Because of her madness and folly, every Elohim will be devoured.”

Abruptly the krilts gem began to s.h.i.+ne again. Its light throbbed like a heart in ecstasy, as if it echoed Joan's distant excitement-or Lord Foul's.

Hyn's dolorous whickering reminded Linden that the Ranyhyn had tried to warn her.

Here ends

Fatal Revenant

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