She turned away and fled as the mud rose higher and higher, overspilling the pool, and wished she could close her ears to the horror of the old woman’s agonized screams as the boiling mud burned the flesh from her bones. The sound followed her back up the tunnel, going on for far longer than she would have thought possible.
Katkin shuddered, thinking of the Maitress’ fifty year reign as head of the Unity of Lalluna — that she had thrown fifty baby girls into that pit of hell, and walked away listening to those same nightmarish screams.
Roseberry still sobbed, her little arms clasped tight around Katkin’s neck, and Katkin cradled her closely, cooing and whispering little comforts to the child.
As she made her way back up the path she suddenly realized the winged form of Lalluna now trave
