Encounter in the Hands

Ged sails south and east, following the shadow's trail. He comes to a pair of islands called the Hands. He sails into a narrow, dark inlet between towering cliffs. He realizes it is a trap, but before he can turn back, the shadow appears in his boat. He lunges to seize it, but his hands close on nothing. The shadow shudders and flees. Ged is left numb and cold. He realizes that he has forged a bond with the shadow; they are now linked, and their final meeting is inevitable. He sails on, knowing he must finish what he began.