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“What was that in the cave?” Scab said

“The story is of a diseased woe Years later, her son, obsessed with providing his mother a burial, went in search of her remains They found his body outside the cave, torn into six parts Assue sent their six best hunters to kill it None returned Before they could e priests forbid travel to the cave, declaring the presence of an evil spirit The locals call it Mother”

Scab rubbed the back of one of his hands “Won’t it come over here?”

Silas regretted telling him the story I should have told him it was an animal “It’s just a story Whatever lives there stays inside”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes”

“What if it’s angry atin?”

“You needn’t worry; I’ve seen that thing, and it can barely walk”

“Then how did it kill all those men?”

“It didn’t; it’s just an old story to scare children” Which is exactly what you are

Silas stared at the glowing red embers of the fire as they sat in silence Scab eventually fell asleep Silas carried him to the cabin, as had become the routine, then headed for the cave

“Wake up, boy” Silas stood at the door

Scab could hear Vala snort outside He looked around in the darkness “Is it ?”

“No, come outside”

Scab rubbed his eyes as he approached Vala “Where are we going?”