Say lay down beside her sleeping children and soon sank into a heavy slumber.

Her body, weak from over-strain, compelled a rest which the mind might have denied to her.
In her dark chamber in the rock, Shotaye sat alone before the fire on the hearth.

It began to flame lustily, for the woman fed it well.

She wanted the glow, first in order to cook her food, next in order to brighten the room; for with the dark and tangled subject on her mind, she felt the need of light and warmth as her companions in musing.

When the flames rustled and crackled, Shotaye squatted down in front of them, folded her arms around her knees, and began to think.
She felt far from being as reassured about the outlook as she had pretended to be when she sent Say Koitza home with soothing and comforting words.