He would gladly have destroyed the kite, or caused its flying to cease; but the instant it was pulled down, the birds rose up in even greater numbers; all those who depended in any way on agriculture sent pitiful protests to Castra Regis.
It was strange indeed what influence that weird kite seemed to exercise.
Even human beings were affected by it, as if both it and they were realities.

As for the people at Mercy Farm, it was like a taste of actual death.

Lilla felt it most.

If she had been indeed a real dove, with a real kite hanging over her in the air, she could not have been more frightened or more affected by the terror this created.
Of course, some of those already drawn into the vortex noticed the effect on individuals.

Those who were interested took care to compare their information.