Bright Water
Simwa!
Simwa
(Folding his arms.) It shall not be said of me that I have borne to take my life of a woman.
The Chisera
Whether you can bear it or not, it shall be said of you, for though I am unhappy, I am still the Chisera, and I declare unto you that neither the life nor the death of a broken man can avail to turn the gods. But you, Chief Rain Wind, and you tribesmen of Sagharawite,—if you must visit the loss of my power, let it be on your own heads, for you only are blameworthy.
Chief
This is no time for riddles, Chisera.
The Chisera
I mean none. What did Simwa other to me than the occasion allowed him? Was it his fault that he found me alone and love-hungry? Was it he who ordered that I should live apart where no woman could see how my heart went and give me counsel? Was it any fault but yours—you that kept me far from your huts lest I should see and carry word to the gods how unworthy you were! You that feared yourselves lessened when I walked among you with my power—Ai! Ai! Did you think at all what became of the woman so long as you had my medicine to help you?