Perhaps -I don't know.'
'You don't - ' Nilsson snarled in disbelief and began scrabbling back the way he had come.
'You heartless bastard! Supposing she's hurt-injured!'
Hallner watched Nilsson go cursing and stumbling, sometimes falling, on his over-rapid descent of the mountain. He saw him rip off his pack and fling it aside, nearly staggering over the ridge as he began to climb down it.
Hallner thought dispassionately that Nilsson would kill himself if he continued so heedlessly.
Then he returned his gaze to the distant lakes and trees below him.
He lay on the peak of the mountain, sharing its existence.
He was immobile, he did not even blink as he took in the view. It seemed that he was part of the rock, part of the mountain itself.
A little later there came an aching yell which died away into the silence. But Hallner did not hear it.