"
The edge of the teeth and the glitter of the eyes stayed a moment,
and her right hand also slid down to the axe haft. Then, without a
word, she swerved from him, and sprang out and away swiftly over
the snow.
And Christian sprang out and away, and followed her swiftly over
the snow, keeping behind, but half-a-stride's length from her
side.
So they went running together, silent, towards the vast wastes of
snow, where no living thing but they two moved under the stars of
night.
Never before had Christian so rejoiced in his powers. The gift of
speed, and the training of use and endurance were priceless to him
now. Though midnight was hours away, he was confident that, go
where that Fell Thing would, hasten as she would, she could not
outstrip him nor escape from him. Then, when came the time for
transformation, when the woman's form made no longer a shield
against a man's hand, he could slay or be slain to save Sweyn. He
had struck his dear brother in dire extremity, but he could not,
though reason urged, strike a woman.
For one mile, for two miles they ran: White Fell ever foremost,
Christian ever at equal distance from her side, so near that, now
and again, her out-flying furs touched him. She spoke no word; nor
he. She never turned her head to look at him, nor swerved to evade
him; but, with set face looking forward, sped straight on, over
rough, over smooth, aware of his nearness by the regular beat of
his feet, and the sound of his breath behind.
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