When he had finished with Prámiz, Slungandi (for Gwasdalyága was he), mounted his skulldeer and turned back towards the hills of Hlund. He left the animal there, and set out in pursuit of Groiznath.
It was not hard for Slungandi, even without the help of the Talyoran, to find Groiznath and his two companions in the wild hills. They were not woodsmen or trackers. They travelled with waste and destruction, cutting down trees and bushes, making great campfires that could be seen from far away.
Then, by his arts, Slungandi disguised himself; he made himself seem a weatherbeaten, wizened wanderer of the wilderness, with a great beard and hat, concealing the features of an Entelláwa.
He came upon them at dawn in their camp near the goatpath. All three were asleep. He rekindled their camp fire and sat down beside it on a log. He found their kettle, filled it with water from a spring, and put it to boil.
The men awoke and came stumbling from their tents. Seeing him, they stepped back and seized their swords.
‘Who are you, and by what right do you sit by our fire?’ cried the tallest and fairest of the men, who Slungandi guessed was Groiznath, son of Melyúnas.
‘I am called Gwasdalyága, the walker in the wilderness. I know the place you seek; it is hidden, shrouded by the Gangri in the shaping of the Midworld; but I can guide you there.’
‘Why should we believe you? Are you not a meddling spy of the Entellári?’
‘Let us dispose of him, master,’ said one of the other men.
Slungandi remained seated at his ease by the camp fire.
‘My lord Groiznath, I solemnly assure you that neither you and your men, nor your illustrious father, will find Hrútwe Klesek, the Hidden Rift of the East, without the guidance of Gwasdalyága. You may search for a year in vain — and I know that your errand is urgent.’
At that the three men looked uncertainly at one another. But Slungandi gazed steadily at Groiznath, silently commanding his belief with a lesser rune that he spoke inwardly.
‘He is to be trusted, Latumar,’ said Groiznath, ‘let neither of you raise a weapon against him, or you shall feel the point of mine.’
The men were thoughtless and idle. They accepted their leader’s word.
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