Summary

Aziza describes the birth of her sister. Even though she was too young to help, none of the other women, who came to Shirah when they needed something, would help in the birth because they were afraid they would be helping to bring another witch into the world. Aziza unwrapped the cord from her sister’s throat, and then breathed into her mother and sucked out the liquid from the baby’s lungs. Aziza believes this act has bound her sister to her even though Nahara often turned away from her when she saw Aziza.

Aziza remembers that Nahara’s father was a wealthy man. He had seen Shirah and Aziza being driven into the wilderness to die and had paid a few coins for them. He earned his wealth not only by selling asphalt but also by robbing from the...