[It's something that's always baffled her, slightly, about Amos. He seems to know that he'll be seen a certain way by others regardless. These roles are things he fills without complaint, and though she suspects he hides things in service of himself, like all men, he never seems to lie about his beliefs to convince or control others. He blunts his edges when he responds to her, but his determination is the same. He's not hiding anything but what he knows for himself in his response.

Right now, she is haunted by the specter of hope. It's nothing like what it will be as the eternal days ahead of them progress, ever more rabid and maddening. She does not know if she can fully agree with him; she would like to see the otter put through something worse than kind extermination. But that is a self-driven impulse, and their will should determine the answer.]

The bearers can only judge him for the actions we know. At least, I'm not psychic. I can determine no more than that. [A beat.] Any other verdict will have to come from somewhere else. [Caren will make no pretense of being qualified to do so. In the smallest way, it's as if she sees her own will as inequivalent from the others'.]

I shall say a few words for him, regardless of the outcome. Would you like me to pray for you as well, Amos?