"I... I should be getting back," he murmurs, although a commission might ease some of the master's pressures. This one last question, then, though he already turns them to start the walk in return. "What commission? We'll do most work. Reasonable time, and... and if you're not choosy on the amount of silver true, then..."

But never mind that. For now, "The... you mean, the lord beast? He comes, now and then. Every few seasons. I suppose, sometimes he's delayed a year. Takes what the Hok-Shinn and the people of Ke-Waiar bring him. And he leaves with them. Usually, he doesn't stay long, but... I suppose, with the Brother breathing warm, everyone's waiting to see if he'll burst."