Quick as lightning, Rishda Taarken leapt back out of the reach of the Kings sword. He was no coward, and would’ve fought single-handed against Tirian and the Dwarf if need were. But he could not take on the Eagle and the Unicorn as well. He knew how Eagles can fly into your face and packager eyes and blind you with their wings.
Jill felt something tickling her ear. It was Jewel the Unicorn, whispering to her with the wide whisper of a horse’s mouth. As soon as she heard what he was saying she nodded and tiptoed back to where Puzzle was standing. Quickly and quietly she cut the last cords that bound the lion-skin to him. It wouldn’t do for him to be caught with that on, after what the Ape had said! She would like to have hidden the skin somewhere very far away, but it was too heavy. The best she could do was kick it in among the thickest bushes. Then she made signs to Puzzle to follow her and they both joined the others. The Ape was speaking again.
For a long time they could not speak nor even shed a tear. Then the Unicorn stamped the ground with his hoof, and shook his mane, and spoke. “Sire,” he said, “there is now no need of counsel. We see that the Ape’s plans were laid deeper than we dreamed of.”
