Heron Lake Plateau you're an ancient ruin, a symbol of hubris and decay

The woman did not move. She watched him as he watched the water, and then saw his ears tremble.

There was no use for her to get working yet on the weeds. Mag didn't want to disturb the boy from his first attempt. Besides, if he brought her anything, she'd have time while she ate to pluck at the surrounding flora; who was to say she'd tell him the truth every time?

A bullfrog sounded distantly — then a second or two later, a rival one responded quite far off from that. They were only warming up, Mag reasoned.