[It is not shame that keeps his eyes from her, but pride inflamed and swollen to such a size that it is all he can see. Thus his gaze points ever forward like the prow of a ship that never turns away from the horizon as it carves the waves. At last he looks when she heaves his great shield from the dust and braces herself against his side as a ship's keel holds steady its burden.]

My shield is too heavy a burden for you to carry all this way - do not strain yourself so, and therefore allow me to take it.

[So speaking, he holds out his arm that she might assist him in sliding the leather strap over his hand. What she purposes to tow is thirty pounds of wrought metal, ash wood, and ox hide: she cannot possibly sustain so great a load while she must support his great weight too. The thin fabric of her fib he can see through, for he knows how far he had strayed from town when began his clash with Koltira, and he grimaces for this trek that stretches before their weary feet.]