The hall was filled with a sound like the rustling of dry leaves as the ranks of the Dhuvians closed gently in toward Carse.
With an effort of will almost beyond human strength Carse threw open all the channels of his mind, trying desperately now in this last minute to reach inward to that strangely silent, hidden corner.
He cried aloud, “ Rhiannon!”
That hoarse cry made the Dhuvians pause. Not because of fear but because of laughter. This, indeed, was the climax of the jest!
Hishah cried, “Aye, call upon Rhiannon! Perhaps he will come from his Tomb to aid you!”
And they watched Carse out of their depthless jeering eyes as he swayed in torment.
But Ywain knew. Swiftly she moved to Carse’s side and her sword came rasping out of the sheath, to protect him as long as it could.
Hishah laughed. “A fitting pair—the princess without an empire and the would-be-god!”
Carse said again, in a broken whisper, “ Rhiannon!”
And Rhiannon answered.