“In the meantime, spare us this Nevers nonsense,” said Fulcruchen to Anjhest. “There’s no such thing as a Twinning Road.”

            “We shall see,” said Rand, plugging the wineskin. “You,” he pointed to Perri. “Take the gloves and stand before the bush. If we’ve been chasing our tails, it’s time to find out.” 

            Perri took the gloves and stood where he’d been directed. The men spurred their horses and set off at a goodly pace. Soon enough, the bush with the gloves reappeared. Perri burst into sobs.

            “Quiet,” hissed Garrion, but it was too late. The King whipped his horse about and bore down on the boy with a raised crop. But before he could strike, a raucous cry came from a larger bush. Rand twisted in his saddle. In shock, the men watched as a three-spotted falcon rose in the air. 

            “By God, there it is,” shouted Rand, flinging aside his crop. “Net it and let’s be gone from this damned sacred place.”

            Garrion made a grab for a net, but it was too late. The bird rose above them, filling the air with angry shrieks.

            “Look at the size of it,” exclaimed Gerlatch. “It has the span of an eagle.”

            “Is it a falcon then?” asked Creath.

            “Yes, but not the one that lured us here,” began Garrion. “This one is—”

            He was interrupted by the bird’s strange behavior. Though it should have escaped, it showed no signs of retreating. Instead, it dove downward, heading first for Anjhest’s beard. Anjhest ducked, but the bird managed to rake the top of his head with its talons. Blinded by blood, Anjhest cursed and punched the air. The bird wasn’t deterred. It dove again and again, eluding the nets, dodging the arrows, forcing each man to acknowledge the fury in its eyes.

            “Is it guarding a nest?” asked Dinnisee, ducking.

            “Kill it! Kill it!” roared the King.

            The bird began to fly in a circle above the trees. As it circled, a fine mist began to rise from the ground. The vapor thickened, billowing into smoke\ until it engulfed them, though there was no smell of flame. Curiously, it had a calming effect on the horses and they fell asleep on their feet. The men were blinded and scared. The bird gave one final shriek and stilled.

            “What’s happening?” asked Dinnisee, from the mist.

            “This is part of the entrapment.” Already, Anjhest sounded dead. “We’ll never escape.