The mirror and the agony

Fifteen days pass. The spell is dragging Ananda from Vaisali, though the mother's strength is failing under the effort.

In the mirror, Prakriti sees mist and fire, festering red clouds, and Ananda wrapped in flames, with torment in his face, his anger turned against himself.

She feels that their suffering has fused, like gold and copper melted together in one furnace, and she sees a kind of creation in those fierce fires.

Later she sees him travelling secretly at night, across rivers and mountain passes, his face dazed, as if he were beyond good and evil.

Prakriti performs the rites: the magic circle, flags, lamps, a thread bracelet, and dances, while her mother puts out her last strength to complete the spell.