"Where I come from," Ogilvy says, "the animals we ride don't try to kill us." He wonders if the feeling that it's a test is on the banshees' side, too. The creatures, despite their aggression, must have the intelligence to work with riders. An animal that tried to kill you doesn't sound like the most reliable mount. Clearly Jake's people made it work, however. "They obey orders after you pass the test and, ah, bond?"