Chapter Eight Summary

As the Bell starts ringing, Skif arrives and volunteers to take over protecting Talia so Keren can be with the other Heralds to mourn Beltren. Talia asks Skif to explain the Death Bell to her, and he tells her the story. At one time there was a temple in Companion's Field with a bell-tower and a bell. However, the clapper and the rope to activate it had not been hung when King Valdemar died. It began ringing when he died, and continues to ring each time a Herald dies. The other Heralds feel it as well, when they have been in training for about three years.

Talia implores her Healer to allow her to attend Beltren's memorial service a few days later, because Talia feels urgently she needs to be there. As the service is being conducted, Talia is overwhelmed by...