like the elder Stulwig counted in the arithmetic of the divine ones.
Standing, now, in the centre of the greenhouse, with no way at all that he could
use as a quick escape (it always required a fair time to unbarricade his door)
Stulwig braced himself. Clutched his stave. And waited for he knew not what.
He grew aware, then, that the word battle in the bedroom had come to an ending.
The woman was standing now, hastily wrapping the S’danzo skirts around her huge
waist. That was a momentary revelation. So such skirts could fit all female
sizes without alteration.
Moments later, the woman came out. She had three of the filmy scarfs wrapped
around her upper body. Her eyes avoided looking at Stulwig as she thudded past
him on bare feet. And then he heard her at the door, removing the barricade.
That brought a sudden, wild hope to the man. Perhaps, if he backed in that
direction, he also might make it through the doorway, once it was unblocked.
But his belief was: he dared not move. Dared not turn his head. As Stulwig had
that tense realization, the brightness – which had been slightly out of his line
of vision – moved. There was an awesome sound of heavy, heavy footsteps. And
then – Vashanka strode into view.
There was no question in Stulwig’s numbed mind. What he was seeing, suddenly,
was clearly a sight not given to many men to observe so close up. The Rankan
god, Vashanka. Maker of lightning in the sky. Master of weaponry. Killer of ten
god-brothers. Murderer of Jutu Stulwig (father of Alton). The mighty being stood