Chapter 15, The Open Cage, Summary

At the end of summer, Craddoc comes to realize that Taran is not happy staying with him, but will not listen to Taran's desire to go back to Caer Dallben. One morning, early in winter, Gurgi runs into the house and tells Taran that Craddoc is injured. Taran follows Gurgi and finds that Craddoc has fallen off a rocky ledge. Taran climbs down to him, but cannot figure out how to get Craddoc back up to the valley. It crosses Taran's mind for a moment that he could let Craddoc die and he would be free, but only for a moment. Taran has injured himself climbing down to Craddoc and quickly becomes weak, aware that he will never be able to get Craddoc up to the valley alone, even with Gurgi's help. Before Taran can decide what...