Heidhin's house is barely warmed and lit by a fire in a trench along the middle of the floor. Smoke hazes and stings the air. Darkness remains between pillars and beams. There is scant speech with no mirth while:
"Outside, wind shrilled through a deepening dusk." (p. 616)
When Veleda enters:
"Wind gusted in..." (p. 617)
- making flames jump and sparks stream.
When Heidhin follows Veleda outside, they pass:
"Sere grass and wind-ruffled puddles..." (p. 618)
When she leads him to meet the goddess behind the oak where he offers to the Anses:
"Her cloak flapped in the wind, which threw the loosened hair about the head she bore so high." (p. 619)
When he has refused the goddess' new message of peace, Veleda reaches toward him and:
"The wind ran between them." (p. 620)
When the goddess has told him to do as he likes but to spare Edh/Veleda and has reminded him that he owes her, the goddess, his life:
"Heidhin slumped. Leaning on his spear, Edh huddled at his feet, he shadowed her while the wind blew around them and the tree creaked like a gallows rope." (pp. 620-621)
Then he cuts his throat.
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