Blackfeather Woods welcome to the war

Maegi shrugged, unsure what she was talking about. He's like the air we breathe, she responded slowly, taking a deep breath in through her nostrils. That's nothing, right? she asked, exhaling. Not good, not bad--formless, shapeless. Nothing. But we know it's there. Same with Sithis. He is nothing, but there.

He is strongest when pleased by death, I think, the girl pondered, brows knitting together in concentration. The more bad things I go through in life, the more I seem to be drawn to him. And Mephala slips away. . . Curious thing, that. She knew it was troublesome to stray from the Night Mother, especially as a granddaughter of Meldresi.

But what could she do? Mephala no longer spoke to her. It was what it was.

Come, let's go to the Temple, Maegi remarked, shaking herself out of the momentary reverie. She flicked her tail, gesturing toward the deeper forest. I think I'm well enough to at least make that trip, she added wryly, with a pained smile at Flicker. Blue fluttered above in the tree, still unsure of the proximity of this newcomer.