The Icebound Land

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and addiction.

Halt travels in a sour mood, protected from potential dangers by his invisible weapons and his powers of observation—as well as that of Tug and Abelard. As they travel, the two horses suddenly signal to Halt with their body language that someone is approaching from the bushes. Halt, communicating with the horses silently to avoid revealing his awareness, approaches the potential danger and demands that they come out into the open. An armored warrior rides forward, and Halt quickly recognizes him as Horace, an apprentice knight and a friend of Will’s. Horace explains that he promised Will that he’d save them and got permission from his teacher, Sir Rodney, to come and help Halt on his journey. Halt banters with him for a bit, ensuring that Horace’s heart is in the right place, but eventually accepts him, reasoning that an extra sword and some company would make the journey easier. Horace immediately begins to excitedly chatter, which Halt pretends to dislike but secretly enjoys.