The pilgrims climbing the mountain have dropped by half. And yet, every day, two dried apricots appear in the corner of the courtyard.

• BasIt's the path, froze over is all. It's not that folk are scared off, Oracle.
  ShairaElder Bas, I waited three days just to hear you say that.
• NeriIt's not me with the apricots! Whenever I get something sweet, I eat every bit of it on the spot.
  ShairaI know. That's exactly how I knew it wasn't you.