Late in the afternoon, Lin sits beside the dying Domna Delores, whose health has rapidly worsened since Lin last saw her. The woman is refusing food, taking only small sips of water, and has no family or Ashkar friend to keep vigil. Lin gently asks for her Ashkar name, and Domna Delores whispers that she was called Talia.

Lin offers to pray for Talia, knowing that exile has left Talia without the Maharam or community rituals that should accompany an Ashkar death. Talia fears that Lin cannot pray for her because she no longer believes herself truly Ashkar and worries there is no place for her in the world to come.

Lin is struck by the injustice of a people shaped by exile imposing exile on one of their own for loving someone. A troubling thought compares Talia’s forbidden love to Lin’s own forbidden magic, and to Asher’s, but Lin pushes the thought away because her duty is to her patient.

Lin reassures Talia that she lived peacefully, harmed no one, and will be welcomed by the Goddess. Lin then places her mother’s scarf, embroidered with the Great Prayer, into Talia’s hand. As Talia nears death, Lin sets aside doubt and softly recites the Prayer for the Dying.