Zerxus's anger is his own, just as his pain is his own. In this, it is given to Kahl to champion the anger of others, even as the acid of his nature erodes Zerxus's built-up defenses of callousness and acceptances, giving breath instead to dwelling brooding resentment, and makes all the pain and misery fresh and raw again.

But still, it is his pain, and Kahl will defend his right to feel it with the fierceness of a pouncing predator, will lay a wound open rather than let it rot, hidden and denied.

She? he asks. He is there, in the wind and the stone and the stinging rain. He listens.