Further down the road to the north after the statue and pillar created by the Dragon. Alexis has already talked about his musings on the gods. He starts talking at Ethelred.

“The plaque said ‘the Mother’s Sorrow’. Two of the Tear’s powers are the Mother’s (and no other aspect named). And Alekeemo was clearly speaking for the Maiden when he mentioned the Mother to the Dark Hand.” He shakes his head. “That’s three times the Mother shows up somewhere she’s unexpected.”

They keep walking.

“Why does Shasharak need this Tear specifically? What’s special about the Mother? Or did this Tear somehow choose him, and we’re seeing the echo of that?” He grimaces slightly. “I don’t like that idea. But why did the Dragon hide this one so carefully? Why not hide multiple Tears together in the vault?”

He turns the Spider Ring over absently.

“I keep coming back to the aspects. Three aspects. What if there are three Tears per aspect? Nine total. The math doesn’t work for three tears total. But it works for 3 tears per aspect. And temples to Avv apparently had Tears all across the empire, which is hard to square with only three.” He pauses. “Though it’s possible some aspects have hidden themselves. Disappeared.”

He’s quiet for a moment.

“I’m also coming to understand the aspects better.” He shrugs slightly and continues “The Maiden is about knowing, seeing, reaching. The Mother is about ruling, shielding, empire. The Crone is about prophecy, continuity, compassion from a distance.” He glances down. “I don’t entirely know how I’m knowing these things. And I’m not certain they’re completely right. But does any of this help understand why Shasharak needs this tear specifically?” Alexis shakes his head.

They keep walking.