"I don't know what that is," she murmurs. She's not putting the staff down; her eyes move, trying to read a map that shifts and changes with every heartbeat.

"But I believe you about the vengeance." Somewhere--probably inside her head--thunder rolls.

"I've seen burns like these before. Not exactly like them, but close enough. Fire that consumes utterly, and leaves taint and poison behind it, subtle and deep-rooted."

"Simon's seen it, too."