ehided. There were always limitations. The trick was in finding
out what they were.
He reached a clump of cedar backed up against a cliff and
turned into it, dropping again into a crouch to listen. He re-
mained as still as the stone behind him for long minutes and
350 The Talismans of Shaman
heard nothing. But the Shadowen were still out there, he knew
They were still searching, still scouring …
And then he saw them, two close at hand, easing through
the trees less than a hundred yards below, black-cloaked shad-
ows, advancing on his concealment. He felt his heart drop. If
he moved now, they would see him. If he stayed where he
was, they would find him. A great set of choices, he thought
bitterly. He still held the Sword of Leah, and his hands tight-
ened on the grip. He would have to stand and fight. He would
have to, and he knew how it was likely to end.
He thought back to the Jut, Tyrsis, Eldwist, Culhaven, and
all the other places he’d been trapped and brought to bay when
trying to escape, and he thought in despair and anger. You
would think that just once …
And then the hand closed over his mouth like an iron clamp,
and he was yanked backward into the trees.
XXX