Blackfeather Woods Sleep is a little Death.

To her absolute shock, Potema spoke to her upon realizing her presence, her voice venemous. Get out. It was the first words her mother had given her in a long time--perhaps the first words ever--and Maegi was taken aback for a moment, not knowing what to say.

But the gods were comforting whispers in her ears, and she took a step forward instead, releasing herself from the shadows near the edge of the Mire. "Why?" she asked. Her voice was firm but not overly bold; it was a mere question, not a challenge.

"I have been coming here for days. I come to pray, to listen, to learn. No one's ever chased me out before." She said all this in a tone that was cool, almost monotone. She dared not reveal the terror she felt upon seeing her mother's lucid snarl.