Then the elegy became a dirge throbbing with bitterness.

“Yet even such sacrifices are not the full tale of our worth to the Earth. I have named the One Tree. Setting aside the irenic reverie of ourselves, we have sought to deflect every threat which endangers the Tree, for it nurtures life just as the Worm enacts death. Thus the Earth began its true decline toward woe when an Insequent became the Guardian of the One Tree. The Theomach’s cunning was great, but his vaunted knowledge did not suffice for such a burden. Still less has Brinn of the Haruchai’s prowess sufficed, though he achieved the Theomach’s demise. By such deeds was the sanctity of the One Tree diminished, and the depth of the Worm’s slumber was made less.

“Our tragedy is this, that the shadow upon our hearts has become an utter darkness. The harm has grown beyond our power to intervene. The Worm is roused and ravenous, and we cannot renew its slumber. By what this Insequent has rightly named mislove, Wildwielder, you have doomed us. Because of you, we will be the first to feed the hunger which you have called forth.”

While Infelice answered Stave’s challenge, Linden fretted. On some level, she recognized the pertinence of the Elohim’s revelations. But they did not shape or soften the extremity of her circumstances. Your remorse will surpass your strength to bear it. She needed facts, details; a concrete understanding of what she had released.

Earlier Berek Halfhand had said, The making of worlds is not accomplished in an instant. It cannot be instantly undone. Much must transpire before the deeds of the Chosen find their last outcome. Linden clung to that—and demanded more from Infelice.

“All right,” she muttered grimly. “I get it.

“So what happens now? The Worm is awake. Somewhere. What will it do? How is it going to destroy the Earth? How much time have we got?”

The world’s remaining days were her only concern. The Worm itself was Covenant’s problem, not hers. He or no one would rise to that crisis. In either case, she had her own task to perform before the end.

—you aren’t done. Covenant had recognized the truth. And he had professed that she might succeed. She’s the only one who can do this. She chose to believe that he had referred to her one remaining responsibility.

“The Worm’s slumbers have been long and long.” Infelice spoke softly, but acid and bile twisted her mien. “Rousing, it is galled by hunger. As any living thing, it must feed. And as we are its stewards, so are we also its sustenance. Such is our Würd. The Worm must feed upon us. Only when it is sated with Elohim will it turn to the accomplishment of its greater purpose. If any of our kind remain unconsumed, we will endure solely to witness the end of all things, and so pass into the last dark.”

—feed upon us. Perhaps Linden should have been shaken. Earlier Infelice had said that every Elohim will be devoured, but Linden had hardly heard her. Now Linden might have stopped to consider the cost of what she had done.