Chapter 9, The Hand of Morda, Summary

Morda turns to Taran to turn him into an animal. Taran distracts him by suggesting he be allowed to pick the type of animal he is to become. While Taran discusses the merits of becoming a pig, Gurgi attempts to chew through the rope that holds Taran's hands tied behind his back. Finally, Morda becomes bored and begins the spell just as Taran's hands become free. Taran stabs Morda with his sword, but Morda suffers no wound from the attack, explaining that he cannot be killed because his life force is far from his person. Then Morda attempts to change Taran into an animal, but the spell does not work. Morda becomes confused, giving Taran a chance to realize the polished bone is Morda's bone, an enchanted piece of his body used to hold his...