"It was the year of Six Typhoons, the month of the Squid, that the body of Kaaleel was thrown into the sea to feed the fish, and that blind Tikk was sold to salters to spend his days at the shore sifting salt and remembering his folly. Such are the blessings and curses upon those that seek the Eyes of Gaal."
"Bah! You tell a story to frighten children. Do you think that Qain the Quick knows fear? I should take back the coins I paid for your worthless tale."
I answered him not, but opened my robe that he might gaze upon my still milky breasts and rose petal nipples and the scar upon my chest, and raised my veil to reveal my eyeless sockets.
I heard a startled gasp and cry, a scrabbling, scuttling, and the rapid, departing beat of running feet amid the laughter the length of Portside's quay. Yes, Qain was surely quick.
