Mother Dula’s eyes trained over Gwynn. A silent tension rose between them. Then Mother Dula lifted a hand. All at once, a pain split across Gwynn’s skull. It was as if an ice spike had been driven into her skill. The air around Mother Dula’s hand trembled. She closed her hand into a fist and the pain doubled.

[color=00B4D8]”You’re surprisingly honest. Very well. You may present yourself to the eggs.”[/color]

Mother Dula stepped away from Gwynn and gestured to a set of steps that led up to the stage. The pain subsided slowly, leaving Gwynn’s legs wobbly. She could taste blood on her tongue. Despite it all, the eggs beckoned.