Upon their return with wood and embers the holy man built the fire, handing a lighted torch to Kathlyn and signifying for her to touch the tinder.
The spirit in Kathlyn told her that these people meant her no immediate harm, so she stepped out of the sarcophagus and applied the torch.

The moment the flames began to crackle the villagers prostrated themselves again and the holy man besmeared his bony chest with more ashes.
A second holy man appeared upon the scene, wanting in breath.

His jaw dropped and his eyes started to leave their sockets.

Knowing his ilk so thoroughly well, he flung himself down before the brazier and beat his forehead upon the ground; not in any chastened spirit, but because he had overslept that morning.

This glory might have been his! Ai, ai! Later the two conferred.