““What did you learn, Little Father?” Cheobawn asked, catching her breath. The boy scowled at her. “It was not a fair fight. Your magic was stronger than mine.” Cheobawn snorted and jabbed him in the chest with the end of one of her sticks. The boy flinched. “Try again. You lost before you even raised your sticks. Do you know why?” she asked. The boy stared at her sullenly. “Because you forgot that without this black bead in my omeh, I am a Little Mother just like any other Little Mother, flesh and bone, just as you are. Fight the man, not the illusion.””
