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

Mag had stripped the heads off a pair of rushes she had plucked. The stalks she was careful with; but when the boy returned to her and left behind the bulbous body of a frog with one leg missing, she beamed to him. It was best not to speak - but later when she gave his lesson, she would of course praise him appropriately.

He had already turned to hunt further, indicating to Magnolia that he was devoted. Veran proved to be hungry for something. Maybe it was the frog blood now that he'd had a taste, or the thrill of the hunt, or - and more likely - he was keen on getting as much knowledge as he could in exchange.

This one's just like me, Mag thought as she watched him trawl the edge of the lake, feeling mightily proud.