Melyúnas was exultant at the downfall of the Stonegiants. He knew not that his son Groiznath had contrived it. He rejoiced in the outcome of his wiles. The three tribes of giants had almost destroyed one another. True, Dreygan still occupied Kapgar Kûm, and he now possessed a mighty sword, but he was the only Ganga left. Moreover Dreygan’s servants were no longer loyal to him, for the runewives were at work in Kapgar Kûm, weaving the wiles of the Deep around the hearts of the Falakkazri. Furthermore, the Entellári of Féo Êlesti and Ailindâl were estranged from one another, and Prámiz had stolen starfire from Féo Êlesti.
Among the Hyûvandri, the Valkari were his compliant subjects, the first of the tribes that he would wrest from Ingos. His rune-web held in figure the names of all the Hyûvanka tribes, so he believed; when it was completed they would be compelled to submit to his rule.
The one thing Melyúnas now lacked was the Talyoran. He knew that it was in Kapgar Kûm. He had rightly guessed that it had lain there all through the Giants’ Wars, but he had not been able to discern it by his arts. But just before the defeat of the Fellgiants, his deepsight had found it, down at the roots of Hogunoth. And then, to his delight, he detected that the Talyoran was moving.
He knew nothing of the severance of the shard Sporni from the mother Talyoran, for the latter had fallen into running water, beyond the reach of his art. He thought therefore that the Talyoran itself was on the move. It had left Kapgar Kûm. It seemed harder to follow, and that was so because it was but a shard. At intervals, though, Melyúnas could sense where it was. Somebody was travelling with it, and he guessed that it was Slungandi. So he and Slungandi were due for another encounter, and this time, Melyúnas would not be tricked.
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