( This much seems to pause him in a way weighted, as if whatever witness he has born to the tragedy of this woman and the propagation of her power was a game before this statement. As if, now that the man has spoken it so, it is truth.

And it aches him. )

We've got the girlie, haven't we? Little Miang-Si. She'll grow fine, strong. Only needs some rearing. Then the next rite can be as is meant.

( Enough to annihilate the evidence of the woods' woman's passing. Her ugly, vicious spell. )

Nephew, you get old, you learn your place. Mine's only to be biding time.