Blackfeather Woods you've got to ste[m] the evil tide

Parvati looked like shit. She didn't know whether it pleased or irritated her. She supposed that if the children had sucked that much life out of her, that was good—they would grow healthy and strong. That being said, had she provided enough milk in this state? Was she able to give them the nutrients that Maegi could not?

Only time would tell. Today's errand was much more simple.

The ragged skeleton finally followed, and Maegi padded down the path to Nightcaller Temple, each step forceful and determined. It was as if she led Parvati on a leash, and there was a sick pleasure that twisted her stomach at the thought. She shook it off, remaining stoic. This wasn't about her, this was about her children.

Her children. The children that the woman had stolen from her. From her. Hers. Her babies.

They arrived at the Temple grounds some time later, and Maegi marched right up to the Altar, where a dead rabbit lay. Nothing cruel this time, nothing drawn out. She'd tested it on this very rabbit, whose leg had been crushed by some other creature but left to die. Upon being given the plant, it had died shortly thereafter. Once it was still, Maegi had taken the rest of the sprigs and stuffed them down the corpse's throat. Stuffed rabbit—a last supper too elaborate for a pest like Parvati.

Hemlock. Maegi had no way of knowing its name, or that her former medicine teacher had been named for the plant. All she knew was the white clusters of heart-shaped flowers meant death. . .and a quick one, at that. Parvati had suffered and suckled at the teat of Blackfeather Woods for long enough. The children were all but weaned, and her time here had come to an end.

Eat this, Maegi commanded, once she had taken the kill and placed it at Parvati's paws. It will take you to your gods.

May they have more mercy on her soul than would the Void.