““Amah would not have approved of her meekly standing aside, twisting her hands as if she had no more resources than those girls who hung themselves without first exacting any retribution from their heartless lovers. He would not get away with it. She walked, like an automaton, to her horse. Her fingers dug out the jar of salve, but left behind the pilules that must be taken while one used the salve. He was already mounted when she approached him. A quartet of birds trilled raucously as she presented the jar to him. Perhaps they were trying to warn him. Or her. 'Here, a parting gift,' she said softly.””
