[ she settles against a cushion. nothing, indeed, but time. and stories might distract from an empty belly. ]

There are seven new gods and countless old ones. [ then, by way of mild explanation: ] Alayne Stone worships the former. Most southerners do. The Father, the Mother, the Warrior, the Maiden, the Smith, the Crone, and the Stranger. Seven gods -- or else one god with seven faces.