“The day’s greeting to you. Cadellin Silverbrow.” said Fenodyree.
“And to you, Wineskin. Now what bad news do you bring me, children. I have been expecting it, though I know not what it may be.”
“Cadellin.” cried Susan, “my Tear must be Firefrost, and it’s just been stolen!”
“What—tear is this?”
“My Tear” The one my mother gave me. She had it from Bess Mossock.”
And out poured the whole story in a tumble of words.
The wizard grew older before their eyes. He sank down upon his chair, his face lined and grey.
“It is the stone. It is the stone. No other has that heart of fire. And it was by me, and I did not hear it call.”
He sat, his eyes clouded, a tired, world-weary, old man.
Then wrath kindled in him, and spread like flame. He sprang from his chair with all the vigour of youth, and he seemed to grow in stature, and his presence filled the cave.
“Grimnir!” he cried. “Are you to be my ruin at the end? Quick! We must take him in the open before he gains the lake! I shall slay him, if I must.”
“Nay, Cadellin,” said Fenodyree. “Hot blood has banished cool thought! It is near an hour since the hooded one strode swampwards; he will be far from the light by now, and even you dare not follow there. He would sit and mock you. Would you want that, old friend?”
“Mock me! Why did he leave these children unharmed, if not for that? It is not his way to show mercy for mercy’s sake! And how else could despair have been brought to me so quickly? I am savouring his triumph now, as he meant me to.
“But what you say is reason: for good or ill the stone is with him. All we can do is guard, and wait, though I fear it will be to no good purpose.”
He looked at the children, who were standing dejectedly in the middle of the cave.
“Colin, Susan; you have witnessed the writing of a dark chapter in the book of the world, and what deeds it will bring no man can tell: but you must in no way blame yourselves for what has happened. The elf-road would have been but short refuge from him who came against you this day—Grimnir the hooded one.”