Chapter 2 of The Riddle-Master of Hed, Read-Through

At the beginning of this chapter, Morgon is sitting on the docks of Tol waiting to leave for Caithnard.  He had a pack of clothes, bulging oddly, that Tristan had absent-mindedly packed.  Eliard was just as distressed at Morgon's leaving.  In the first chapter, Morgon had been about to buy Eliard a horse.

He had said, remembering, "I was going to get you a chestnut stallion from An with the crown."

Eliard responds by irrationally saying, "Don't think you can bribe me with a horse."   This makes no sense to either Morgon or Eliard.  This is merely Eliard wishing Morgon not to leave.

Once on the ship, Morgon asks where Deth is from.  Deth responds by saying that he was not from any land but the city-state of Lungold.  Deth also claims that among the people who taught him to harp were Morgol Cron's harpist Tirundeth.  Morgon quickly realizes that Cron ruled Herun six hundred years ago.  Deth, in turn, tells Morgon that he was born not long after the Founding of Lungold, a thousand years ago.

Morgon curiously asks if Deth is the son of a wizard.  According to Deth, he does not know who his father is.  He was born without a name in the back streets of Lungold.  Morgon further speculates on the nature of Deth's fathers.

"It's not important.  The wizards are gone; I owe nothing to any living ruler but the High One.  In his service I have a name, a place, a freedom of movement and judgement.  I am responsible only to him; he values me for my harping and my discretion, both of which are improved by age."

 At the end of the conversation, they are quickly closing in on the port-city of Caithnard.  Morgon comes to the decision that he must tell Rood of his taking of the Crown of Aum and his potential marriage of Rood's sister Raederle.  To this end, he goes to the College.

Here Morgon finds Rood in his newly acquired golden robes, reading a letter, with a half-full glass of wine.  Morgon attempts to tell Rood of the crown; however, Roods tells Morgon he took the gold robes two days ago.  He then rambles on asking Morgon if he had forgotten all he knew of riddlery.  Ironically, this leads to Rood saying that he will never forgive Mathom, his father, or Morgon.  Morgon, he would not forgive because Rood believes he did not keep the promise he had made about going to Peven's Tower.

Morgon soon replies "Do you think Raederle will mind living on a far?"  Rood begins talking but quickly stops and says one word "Why?"  Morgon shows him the Crown of Aum causing Rood to shout a Great Shout in surprise.  From the hall outside of Rood's room cries of outrage arise.  Rood informs Morgon that several lords of An had already offered to abduct Raederle.  Soon Master Tel comes to the door shouting that Rood had broken the locks of Nun's books of wizardry.  Rood responds by saying that though the Great Shout is forbidden, it is a thing of impulse rather than premeditation.

Soon all the clamor dies down when Morgon comes to the door holding the Crown of Aum.  A conversation with the masters of the College ensues.  Rood suggests, rather vehemently, that Morgon should go and see the High One.  Master Ohm concurs to a certain degree.

Later the High One's Harpist comes to the College and says that me must speak to Master Ohm before he leaves.  Afterwards, they board a ship and are told by a red-headed sailor with a weal down his face that they will reach Anuin by the afternoon.

Both Morgon and Deth go to rest.  When they wake up they find the ship completely abandoned, the crew mysteriously gone.  However, before they disappeared, they had put up enough sail to take Deth and Morgon overboard.  The ship suddenly stops in the middle of open sea and tears apart, casting Morgon and the High One's Harpist into the ocean.