I don't say it's pleasant either way, but there's a good hope of safety in the hills, and there's none anywhere else." She sat for a little with her eyes downcast.

"I am in your hands," she said at last, "Oh, the foolish girl I have been! I will be a drag and a danger to you all." Then I took her hand.

"Elspeth," I said, "it's me will be the proud man if I can save you.

I would rather be the salvation of you than the King of the Tidewater.

And so says Shalah, and so will say all of us." But I do not think she heard me.