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’I do not understand you,’ the Mhybe replied, faltering as despair slowly stole through her This was not the place she had believed it to be She had indeed fled to another person’s prison, a place of personal madness ’I came here for death-’

’You’ll not find it, not in these leathery arhter-’

’Flight is an illusion Even Mother here comprehends that She knows I am not her child, yet she cannot help herself She even possesses memories, of a time when she was a true Matron, a mother to a real brood Children who loved her, and other children -- who betrayed her And left her to suffer for eternity

’She never anticipated an escape from that Yet when she found herself free at last, it was to discover that her world had turned to dust Her children were long dead, entombed in their barrows -- for without a mother, they withered and died She looked to you, then, Seer Her adopted son And showed you your power, so that she could use it To recreate her world She raised her dead children She set the the city But it was all false, the delusion could not deceive her, could only drive her mad

’And that,’ he continued, ’is when you usurped her Thus, her child hasthe paths of our lives, it seems A truth you’re not prepared to face, Seer Not yet’

’My child has made me a prisoner as well,’ the Mhybe whispered ’Is this the curse of all mothers?’

’It is the curse of love’

A faint howl rang through the dark air

’Hear that?’ theI looked for so long For so long And now, she’s co’

The voice had acquired a deeper tier the man’s voice

And now,’ the words continued, ’now, I answer’

His howl tore through her, flung her ly forests, back onto the tundra’s barren plain

The Mhybe screamed

Her wolves answered Triuain

A hand touched her cheek ’Gods, that was bloodcurdling’

A familiar voice, but she could not yet place it

Another man spoke, ’There is more to this than we comprehend, Murillio Look at her cheek’