Randolph cried hoarsely, "Hurry up! Waiting is as much torture to me as that knife is going to be to him."
Althaya said dryly, "Begin, Tagat."
The knife moved—
"Wait!"
Althaya stood rigid, looking down at Grim. He saw her green eyes widen dreamily. She whispered, "Kohonnes is sending his breath out across the world. Soon now the Change will come."
"So what?" rasped big Randolph, hands working furiously, his fingers opening and closing. "We're all on this red-marked island. It won't hurt us."
Althaya shook her head. "Not while the god is breathing. No. We can wait!"
The black sea-like curve of rock above Grim was altering. It lost its concave outlines; shimmered, and grew thin and tall, like an ebony finger pointing skywards. And the tree on it was a tree no more, but a green vine clinging to its sides and drooping white blossoms across its black edges.
Althaya and Randolph withdrew from the altar; went higher on the rockside. Grim stared at the changes working all around him. Not far away was another red-marked island. Between the altar island and that other, the ground lifted and fell restlessly.
Tlokine came toward the altar, her guards drawing back and away from the change.